Page 33 of Love Spells: And Other Non-Refundable Magic

Primavera1959

What do I what?

The Third Fairy

Want

Primavera1959

I know what I want

The Third Fairy

Do you?

Primavera1959

Yes

The Third Fairy

Then why did you need a spell to find it?

The first step is simple, Primavera.

Before you can choose what you want, you have to notice what you’re already drawn to.

CHAPTER 11

FLORA

Maggie is already sitting at the bar when I get there, which means I’m late.

Not significantly. Four minutes, according to my phone, but there was a time when four minutes wouldn’t have registered between us at all. Maggie would have ordered my drink, I would have complained about whatever happened on the way over, and neither of us would have known exactly what time we were supposed to meet in the first place.

Now we make reservations, plan things in advance.

Not tonight, obviously. Happy hour at a neighborhood bar on a Tuesday doesn’t require that level of commitment, but the plans have been sitting in my calendar since last Thursday anyway.

My friend looks up from her phone as I approach and smiles. “Hey.”

“Hi. Sorry.”

“You’re fine. I just got here.”

There’s already a glass of white wine in front of her, but I decide not to point that out.

I slide onto the chair in front of her and drape my purse on the back. The place is busier than I expected this early, filled mostly with people who look like they came directly from work, jackets folded over the backs of chairs and laptop bags beneath tables. Maggie still has her office clothes on, too, black slacks and a cream blouse beneath a cardigan she’s already shrugged halfway out of.

I suddenly feel underdressed in jeans and the sweatshirt I’ve been wearing since this morning.

“You didn't work today?” she asks.

“No. Tuesdays are usually my day off.”

“Nice.”

“I mean, I worked. Just not at the café.”