Page 53 of Kiss and Spell

Ursula looked at Xavier.

His eyes searched her face, as if trying to read her thoughts. “Do you want to wake up?”

She breathed deeply. “I don’t want to wake up. I made a bad wish. I pushed people away because of what I wanted. The worst thing about all of it was it never came true. I lost everything, and I don’t know what I gained.”

He surveyed her kindly.

“A wise godmother once told me no matter what happens, you can always wish again.” His voice held a note of hope. This charming prince was too sweet and tempting. He was everything that she could ever wish for but she couldn’t have. She tossed her book into her tote bag. Frustration rolled through her. Ursula couldn’t let herself truly want Xavier because she didn’t want to get hurt again.

“Don’t do that, Xavier.” He tilted his head to the side, obviously confused by her words. She worked her jaw. “Don’t make me want to be selfish with my wishes. I’d wish for something I don’t deserve.”

Xavier hunched over, his arms resting on his thighs. “What don’t you deserve, Madame?”

His words held a challenge, as if he was daring her to admit what was on her mind. Ursula looked down at her lap. They were thigh to thigh on the bench; his closeness made the atoms inside of her vibrate with need. Stars above. She recalled the deck of tarot cards she used to own as a teenage witch. Xavier embodied the Knight of Cups—all romance and charm. He invited her imagination and her body to come play with him. He’d ride in on his horse and carry her away from student loans and overdue bills. No, she couldn’t and wouldn’t ask him to rescue her from the mess she made. Only she could save herself.

Ursula leapt from the bench, separating her body from his. She flashed him a small grin and grabbed her book haul bag. “Thanks for the book. I’ll text you the details about the garden. Good night, Xavier.”

She didn’t wait for him to respond, worried that if she turned around, she might be tempted to stay and wish for him.

Chapter Fifteen

It was a day filled with fresh sunshine and blooming trees. It was made for fae and humans alike to go outside, drink lilac wine, and be merry. It was a day that Xavier decided to wear jeans. When he asked Whitney where he could purchase a pair of skinny jeans for his upcoming date, she jumped off the couch and cheered. “Let’s go to the outlet mall.”

Over the course of the morning, Xavier drank three large cups of coffee and ate honey buns to keep up with Whitney. His godmother could outlast a box of batteries with all the extra energy she had when she shopped.

She bought him denim in every shade of blue available and brought them back to the mansion. While she was distracted with a pair of acid-wash shorts, Xavier checked his email on his phone to see if his order had been completed yet. Last night, he’d ordered a collection of woodworking books from a local bookstore. He even signed up for an evening woodcraft class at Shark River Community College for next month. Ursula had a point.

While he was in the Grove, he might as well discover what gave him joy.

Whitney took the phone from his hand and shoved a pair of jeans at him. “Less phone, more fashion.”

Xavier tried on every pair but settled on the dark-wash jeans that matched well with his forest-green shirt and open vest. He even allowed Whitney to conjure him a pair of contact lenses to replace his missing glasses. He, despite her imploring, kept his shoes. There was only so much of a makeover he could take in one afternoon. When he finally looked in his bedroom mirror to check out the completed outfit, he did a double take.

Who is this charming brother staring back at you?

There was a light of confidence in his eyes that he didn’t recognize, and he stood with a certain swagger that he’d only seen in movie stars on the red carpet. He walked downstairs feeling like he had gold flakes on the soles of his shoes.

Xavier showed off the outfit to Whitney in the salon, and she gave him a snap of appreciation.

“You’re not coming to play today, are you,” she said. The pride in her words bolstered his confidence. Finally, he was doing something right. It was about time he found his stride.

She picked off a few random threads from his shirt. “I think Paige will find it difficult not to be charmed by you.”

Xavier gently corrected her, explaining that he was going to spend the day with Ursula at Grove Garden. Once Whitney heard this news, she halted. Her eyes pinned him to where he stood.

“You have a date with Ursula?” she asked lightly.

His chest jumped. He hated how much he liked hearing that sentence from Whitney. But he shook his head. “No, she’s helping me plan this date.”

Whitney twisted her lips to the side in thought. “But you’re dressing up now, not for tomorrow. Hmm. Doesn’t that seem odd?”

Xavier blinked. “It’s not a date. Today’s a practice run.”

He focused his attention on the salon’s mantel, studying his reflection in the looking glass on the wall. He didn’t want to think too hard about the question she was asking him, but her words took root in his brain.

Why was he trying so hard for some who wasn’t his actual date? He was breaking in the clothes in case he split his pants. What if he made a fool of himself in his new jeans—that was completely reasonable, right? Xavier was just hanging out with Ursula so he wouldn’t mess things up with Paige. That idea sounded like a perfect explanation.

You’re such a terrible liar, you can’t even lie to yourself.

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