“Why?”
She leans against the back of the couch. “I don’t know…because atsome point it started feeling like more than hook-ups, and I was sad you were leaving.”
“I’m sorry I left.”
“It was a long time ago.” Her mouth twists and her shoulders rise slightly.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
She shakes her head. “I don’t know. I was too proud. Too focused on dance, and you were moving to Texas. Plus, I was under the impression you were only interested in being fuck buddies. It seemed like a surefire way to be disappointed, and I didn’t think my heart could take it. I already had to say goodbye.”
I press my lips together, trying to hide the smile that’s threatening to break free.
“If I had known, I would?—”
“You would’ve what? No. You were traded halfway across the country. It wasn’t like you could’ve just stayed. You know as much as I do that long distance wouldn’t have worked, and I was never going to give up living in New York, and you were never going to give up your hockey career to stay there.”
“No, I guess not.”
“Plus, I vividly remember telling you to call if you were ever back in the city, and you didn’t.”
I wince at her words, guilt climbing up my throat and catching my breath.
“I almost did, but when I found you on social media, you looked really happy, and I don’t know. I figured you’d met someone new, and because of what we used to be, I was scared I’d be rejected too.”
“You? Scared?”
“I don’t know. I told you I struggle with expressing my emotions.”
“Hmm,” she hums. “So, what does all this mean? I know we’ve kind of been playing along with this whole marriage thing, but?—”
“I don’t think we have to think too hard about it. The kiss earlier felt right, so I did it. The shower felt right, so I offered. If something feels forced, we don’t have to do it.”
“But do we need rules or something? Parameters?”
I chuckle.
“Nah, rules didn’t really work before. I think we justgive into the magicandsee what happens.”
She bursts out laughing, covering her mouth with her hands.
Moving closer to her, I pull her into me, hugging her tight. Her body seems to relax a bit in my embrace, and I kiss the top of her head. “You ready to look through these books?”
“Yeah, let’s do it.” She pulls back, and I stand, walking across the living room to where the brown paperback sits.
Picking it up, I walk it back over to the coffee table.
“Do you want some wine?” she asks, standing. “I think this might be easier if I had some.”
“That sounds good.” She disappears into the kitchen, and I pull outMagic 101 For The Modern Witch.
“What are we looking for?” I call, skimming the table of contents.
“I don’t know. Anything that looks familiar.”
Claire walks out with two glasses and hands one to me. Joining me on the couch, she picks up one of the history books and starts flipping through the pages. We sit in silence for a few moments, sipping our wine and reading.
“Looks like Sugarplum Park has quite the history in mining rare gems.” She flips the book toward me, showing me a chapter titled “The Great Gemstone Rush.”
