“Good. Sven was worried. Over and out.”
Magnus switched off the radio and turned to her. “We better get back. As much as I would like to stay here and continue to explore what just happened, I am beyond town limits, andI really don’t want to start making out with you and have an important piece of me fall off.”
She grinned. “No. I wouldn’t want that to happen either, but I do have to ask what happens now. I mean…I work at Room with a Tomb.”
“And you will continue to work there. Things won’t get weird, but…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I would like to have that date we never had. Just in Harmony Glen rather than Tallowfield. Do you think…do you think we could maybe have a do-over? Especially since I haven’t cursed you and you’re not Yrsa reincarnated.”
A knot formed in the pit of her stomach.
Tell him what you fully saw.
Only, she couldn’t. She wanted that date, so she selfishly nodded. “I’d like that too.”
“Good.” He helped her to her feet and then kissed the back of her hand. “I’ll text you and we’ll do this date properly.”
“Deal.” She wanted to linger here, but she knew they’d better get back. “Let’s go before your head falls off and you can’t drive the boat, because I’m sure Finn wouldn’t want his rental returned with a belching or burning outboard motor.”
Magnus threw his head back and laughed. “No, I suppose he wouldn’t.”
Mercedes took his hand and they walked out of the cabin together, back to the boat by the shore, but all the while she worried about what she saw when she touched the cursed ground, and what Magnus would think when she had to break the truth to him about it all.
When she got backto Hetty’s, she headed straight to the bathroom to have a shower and change into some warm clothes. After she’d dressed, Hetty force-fed her some warm soup and a grilled cheese, which Mercedes immensely appreciated, but it was hard to eat when all she was thinking about was that kiss and how on the boat ride back to the marina, she sat next to Magnus and he had an arm around her, keeping the chill away.
After dinner she headed back to her room and curled up on the bed and tried to sleep, but she couldn’t. All she kept thinking about was that kiss. Her phone chimed and her pulse skipped a beat, but it was only Pearl texting her. She’d hoped it was Magnus.
Pearl:I heard you were stuck out on the lake.
Mer:From who?
Pearl:Finn. R U Ok?
Mer:Yep.
Pearl:You were with Magnus?
Mer:I was.
Pearl:And?
Mer:What do you mean and?
Pearl:When I left, you two HATED each other.
Mer:We’re fine.
Pearl:I feel like there is something you’re not telling me.
Mer:We’re fine. I’m fine.
Pearl:Well, I’ll be home for the grand opening in a couple days. Then I’ll be able to tell if you’re telling me the truth. You’re being suss.
Mer:I’m not being suss. Whatever that is.
Pearl:Suspicious.
Mer:I’m not hiding anything.
Pearl:Ok. Sure. I’ll see you in a couple days.
