___

  I’ll see you Saturday at 7pm. His reply was immediate.

  Can’t wait.

  I went to my window and spotted his car, headlights still on, parked down the block. I watched him drive away, and thought back to how close we were and the feeling of his hands on my arms.

  Saturday was only three days away, I told myself. And I had a spell to work on.

  ___

  Work. School. Spell. Repeat.

  My routine was becoming, well, more routine than what I was comfortable with. But on the other hand, it was a well-needed comfort to combat the pain I was facing now.

  There were more shadows now. The others were still there too, just accompanied by a half-swirl on my chest, just below my right collarbone. I could hide it with a shirt, but nothing lower-cut anymore. Although the one on my wrist was making me wear only long-sleeves anyway.

  My thoughts drifted Friday morning to something Ryan had said, about how he had more tattoos. I opened my phone and texted him.

  Your tattoos, the swirl patterns down your arm and neck — are they covering the shadow marks?

  I got into the shower and put on my clothes for the day before checking my phone again. There was already a reply back — how did he always reply immediately to me? Especially since the few times I’ve been with him he was almost never on his phone?

  I’ll tell you over dinner tomorrow. ;)

  You can’t just tell me now? I replied.

  It’s easier to explain in person. I guess I couldn’t argue with that.

  Fine. :P

  I expected that to be the end of it, but instead, I got another text from him.

  Are you still doing the spell? Are you asking because you have more marks? I frowned. That was an odd thing to ask.

  Yeah, of course I am. And only the one, near my collarbone.

  I wish you wouldn’t do the spell. It’s not worth it. I didn’t know how to respond to that. It wasn’t like it was something I could stop. He didn’t know the whole story, didn’t know what had happened. I shook my head and put my phone down, brushing my teeth, and getting ready for class.

  I had been missing Ryan, other than the couple of times we texted, I still hadn’t seen him since Tuesday when he came over. But the distance had given me time to do the spell, and get caught up on assignments for my classes. Which I desperately needed.

  An hour later, I checked my phone when I got to my psychology class a few minutes early.

  I’m sorry, it’s not my place. I just want to make sure you’re okay. I won’t bring it up again. I smiled slightly at his concern for me. All things considered, it was a little sweet, if a little overbearing.

  It’s okay. And, do I get to know where you’re taking me on Saturday?

  No, only that it’s not fancy, but I think you’ll like it. And I can’t wait to see you. The memory of our almost-kiss had been playing in my head the last few days.

  It’s too bad Tanya interrupted us…. I quickly hit send before I lost my nerve.

  We can make up for it, if you want.

  Deal. He replied, and I pocketed my phone and focused on class. I’d see him tomorrow, I told myself.

  An orange creature met me just a block away from the college.

  “Hi, Dane.” I greeted quietly. He replied in my mind and we started walking. He kept a distance away from me, just in case someone saw. This was something else I was getting used to. He was always around, hovering anytime I wasn’t in class, working, or in my apartment.

  It wasn’t like I didn’t appreciate the company, it was just — odd.

  Arriving at work, I waved a subtle goodbye to Dane and headed inside, relishing the familiar smell of cookies being baked. Being happily greeted by my coworkers, I made my way to the back to hang up my things.

  “Hey,” Alyx greeted, crossing their arms and leaning against the wall. “You feeling okay?” I nodded and told them I was feeling better. The new mark’s initial pain had taken so long to fade this time that I had to call in sick for work on Wednesday. Something I never do.

  “Glad to hear it,” Alyx said giving me a small smile, and then went back to the front to help Emma with the customers. I followed them shortly after, starting my shift. It takes me a few minutes to get into the mind-set of working, so after helping a couple that was next on the till, I wasn’t prepared for Ryan to step up behind them when they moved to sit at a table.

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  “I’ll — hi — sorry, I’ll be right with you.” I turned around and went down the counter to the espresso machine to start the couples’ drinks. My face felt hot and I fumbled with the cap on the milk. Ryan’s presence here while I was working was a surprise, and it wasn’t hard to see that I was flustered.

  Focusing solely on their drinks, I went around the counter and brought them to the couples’ table. Walking past Ryan but avoiding looking at him until I got back to the register. Putting on what I’m sure was a clearly forced smile to my face, I asked what I could get him.

  “Your choice.” He said easily, and my smile was real this time, as I knew exactly what I could make him.

  “Any allergies? Anything you don’t particularly like? And would you prefer hot or cold?” He shook his head, then smirked at me.

  “Surprise me. But no whipped cream, no sprinkles.” With that, I charged him, and he paid with cash, placing his $1.04 in change into the tip jar. I motioned for him to wait at the end of the counter, and started on his drink.

  I knew he liked his coffee black, so anything truly sweet was out, but I could still play with the flavour a little. Choosing something a bit different, and a cold drink, I hoped he would like it. I poured the ice into a cup and finished off the drink. Handing the light orange concoction to Ryan, he looked at it sceptically.

  “Try it,” I demanded, noting that Alyx was working the till, and there was only one customer. Ryan took a sip of the drink, and his eyes widened.

  “That’s not bad actually, though not what I expected. What is it?”

  “It’s a vanilla orange italian soda. Like an orange creamsicle, but I made it less sweet for you. If you don’t like it, I’d be happy to make you a black coffee.” I crinkled my nose at my suggestion, and Ryan laughed at me.

  “No, it’s actually good, thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Wait,” I called out to him before he turned around. He raised his eyebrows but waited. “How are you here?” Ryan looked flustered suddenly.

  “Oh, right, I wasn’t like, stalking you or anything, I swear.” He ran his hand through his hair, giving away his nerves. “I may have asked Tanya where you worked… which I now realize sounds bad… I just, I wanted to see you.” He finished, stammering, and bright red. I smiled and let him off the hook.

  “I’m glad you did, I like the chance to lure you away from your plain black coffee.”

  “Well, then, I should get going. I — I’ll see you around.” I nodded, and went to help Alyx with a group of customers that had just walked in.

  Seeing Ryan flustered and nervous, completely different from the cocky man I saw that first night, made me giddy with knowledge that there was this other side of him. One he showed to me.

  “Who was that?” Alyx asked as we ended up next to each other, each working on a drink.

  “He’s a friend.” I answered somewhat hesitantly.

  “I couldn’t help but overhear that he said he’d see you tomorrow. Is it a date?” They raised their eyebrows suggestively at me, and I laughed.

  “Kind of,” I admitted.

  “He’s good looking,” Alyx whispered to me. “And the tattoos are really cool.” They took the drink from me and presented it to the customers who were chatting away amongst themselves.

  ##

  That night, I practiced the spell again, but I was tired from work and it took a lot out of me. I decided I would take more than the standard one-night off from it, and not do it Sunday as planned.

  And the next day arrived quickly. Before I knew it Tanya was pounding on my door pestering my about what I was wearing, as I threw on another long-sleeved top. Paired with jeans, and a pair of old, but still passable, running shoes.

  I opened the door, and immediately saw Tanya’s dubious expression.

  “That’s not very date-like, Kara.” I shrugged, then admitted quietly. “I don’t really have much clothes to choose from. I’m on a tight budget at the moment.” Tanya frowned.

  “You’re welcome to my closet anytime.”

  “But I feel bad taking your clothes.” I said quietly.

  “You’re not taking, you’re borrowing. And I don’t mind. Come here.” She took my arm gently and walked me into her bedroom. “Here, what about this?”

  A few suggestions later, and I was still comfortable, but looked more put together.

  A longer black cardigan, a white blouse, and a pair of lightly ripped jeans and a pair of slip on shoes, made me look cute but not overly worried about my looks.

  “Thanks,” I told Tanya, looking in the mirror.

  “Anytime,” She said, and she met my eyes in the reflection. “And I mean it. Anytime. If I’m not home, just text me.”

  “Okay, thank you.” I said, knowing she wouldn’t let me leave until I agreed.

  “No problem. Now, where are you guys going?” She asked.

  “I have no idea.” I told her as my phone buzzed. “That’s him, he’s downstairs.” Tanya squealed and I winced.

  “Have fun!” She called as I grabbed my purse off the couch and left the apartment.

  Bounding down the steps, I slowed as I reached the main entryway, realizing that for the first time I was actually more excited than nervous to see him. Sure, the nerves were still there, but less than before.

  Ryan was already in the lobby, even though he shouldn’t have been able to get in without the proximity pass. He stepped forward, and met me at the bottom of the stairs.

  “The doorman let me in,” He explained. “And you look lovely.” I smiled and looked him over. Dark jeans as usual, but this time he had a long sleeved dress-shirt tucked in, and a sports jacket. He looked good, even if it looked a little out of place with his eyebrow piercing, and tattoos sticking out of the collar.

  “Thank you, you look nice as well.” We walked out to the car, and I was glad I had taken Tanya’s offer to borrow her clothes. A flash of orange caught my eye from across the street. Always the protector, I thought.

  “He really does keep a sharp eye on you, doesn’t he?” I nodded as he opened the passenger door for me, and waited until I was settled. Wiping my hands on my jeans as he rounded the car, I reminded myself to relax. He put the car in drive, and pulled out into traffic.

  “So, are you going to tell me where we’re going now?” I asked him.

  “Yes, we’re going to dinner.” He smirked at me, keeping his eyes on the road. I rolled my eyes.

  “Of course.” I said, and Ryan laughed. I stuck my tongue out at him, and he only laughed harder.

  We pulled into a lot 45 minutes later, and from what I could gather from the sign, it was an Italian-themed restaurant. He turned off the car, and got out, and I waited patiently as he opened the door for me and helped me out. Happily I took his hand, and I must have had some of my emotions cross my face.

  “What?” He asked once I was standing.

  “Nothing, it’s just becoming a routine is all.” We were standing close together now, the car door still open. “Maybe next time I should open the door for you.” Standing this close to him, I could tell he was wearing cologne. Not strong, but pleasantly noticeable. My stomach tightened as he looked at me. His gaze dropped to my lips, and I was reminded of last night, standing in front of my closet — the space between us charged.

  He licked his lips, and I watched his eyes glance up at mine before looking at my lips again. There wasn’t anyone around to interrupt us now.

  I wanted to kiss him, but the moment was broken as he winked at me and offered his hand. I blushed, but it was still early in the date, and we had time. He closed the car door as I slipped my fingers between his and we headed into the restaurant.