"I got it right didn't I?" His smile was impossible to not catch so when her mouth turned up at the corners he laughed. "Can you sit with me for a few?"
Todd had not been helpful and told her to to take her break right then, playing right to the triumphant dark-haired boy.
She hadn't heard from him since then. No annoying texts or barging in on her workdays. No locker walks or front porch conversations. She didn't miss him.
When Todd looked at her in surprise bringing her back to the moment she realized the groan had made it out of just her thoughts and she smiled apologetically.
"Sorry. Been a long few days."
"Need anything?" he asked.
"Oh, no. But thank you. Actually," she paused thinking about going to The Lost Souls and leaving this town and its odd new dark energy behind for the rest of the evening, feeling an almost immediate sense of relief. "Could you close up for me? I know it's my night," she thought about what night she could switch him for but he shook his head.
"Don't worry about it. You're dealing with a lot. I've got it."
She smiled gently. "You sure? I can take one of your nights next week."
He waved her off, starting to look embarrassed. "It's fine. I've got this."
She thought about arguing again but then realized it was making him uncomfortable so she accepted his kindness and thanked him as she clocked out and grabbed her backpack from under the counter.
She swung the red straps over her shoulders turning toward the bar as she did and threw Todd a big smile. "Thanks, Todd. I owe you."
The relief of walking toward a safe place was great. She texted her uncle to let him know she was off early and where she was going, and as she did, she saw a text from Jeremy. A zing rang through her.
No, she hadn't missed him.
What did you save me in your phone as?
But it wasn't real. He was under the influence of a hex.
"Thinking about me?"
She let out a scream, her arm swinging out almost connecting with someone, who had the reflexes to duck and dodge.
Now standing three feet further away, she looked at a delightfully shocked Jeremy holding a bag staring at her in a way that made her wonder what he saw.
"Well, I do not need to worry about my girl getting kidnapped."
She let out a breath, placing a hand on her chest as she glared at him. "Didn't you ever learn not to sneak up on a woman walking home at night? That's like how not to end up in man jail 101."
"Is it? I didn't read it."
"And I'm not your girl."
His grin grew. "Yet. So?"
She let out a sigh. "So, what?"
"What did you save me in your phone as?"
She rolled her eyes and turned back around toward The Lost Souls House. "A bold assumption that I saved your number at all." He joined her and she tried to tamp down her excitement. "What are you doing?"
"Walking you home."
"You don't have to walk me home, Jeremy. And remember, you only feel this shocking sense of chivalry because you are under magic."
"Okay, yeah." His sarcastic reply made her want to grab him and shake him.
