“It is. He proposed to me last night.” Margaid sighed happily. “I guess I need to talk to you and Sven about renting out Room with a Tomb for the wedding.”
“That’s fantastic.”
Margaid opened the door and he followed her in, kicking off his boots.
“Take a seat in the living room and I’ll bring you some coffee,” Margaid said over her shoulder.
“Thanks.” Magnus wandered into the living room that was littered with journals about watersheds and fisheries. He took a seat in an overstuffed floral chair, resting his hands on his knees.
Margaid came in and handed him a mug, and then curled up in the matching chair across from him. “So, what do you need my advice for?”
“Well, it’s something I would usually go to Pearl for, but she’s away.” He set the coffee cup down on the table. “I…I asked Mercedes out on a date.”
Margaid’s eyebrows raised. “Mercedes? The woman you accused of taking revenge on you?”
He winced, nodding. “That’s all in the past. I know she may look like the witch who cursed me and Sven, but she’s not her.”
“Wait, what?”
“Margaid, it’s a long story.”
“Sounds like it. So, you asked her out.”
“She’s coming to my place for dinner.”
“What’s the problem?” she asked. “You’re an amazing cook.”
“It’s not the dinner, it’s this do-over of a date.” He stood and began to pace. “It’s just, I haven’t been on a serious date ever. Not really. I mean, I’ve had casual hook-ups. And back before I was cursed, I didn’t date or court or whatever it was called.”
“So you told me,” Margaid said dryly. “I think you said something about sacking my village and carrying me off when we first met.”
He winced. “Sorry about that. You were pretty and I was trying to be charming?”
“Yeah, no. You weren’t.”
“I deserved it when you said you would kick me squarely in the nuts if I tried.”
Mirth flickered across Margaid’s face. “You were a little rough around the edges when we were first met. I know you better now. It’ll be okay.”
“I doubt that.” He groaned and sat back down. “My first ever real date with someone I liked and not just lusted after turned out horrible. Now, I’m contemplating going out with her again.”
“I remember your first date with Mercedes. I picked you up on the road home.”
“I don’t want to repeat that. What did Finn do for your first date?”
“He cooked me lasagna, but I think everything about that night was Pearl’s doing.” Margaid smiled at him gently. “It’ll be okay. She said yes again, so that’s half the battle. All you have to do is be yourself. Light some candles, dim the lights, andbe yourself. I mean, when you were chatting with her on the MONZTR app, you were yourself and that’s why she agreed to meet you face-to-face, right?”
Margaid had a point.
Magnus nodded. “Yeah.”
“Maybe don’t get wine from a box.”
“Who served wine from a box?” Magnus asked, horrified. “Please tell me it wasn’t Finn?”
“It was, but you know what, it wasn’t that bad. It wasn’t the cheap stuff I used to get drunk on when I was in college.”
“You got drunk on boxed wine in college? You’re a doctor.”
