Page 28 of Witch You Weren't Here

‘You know what I’m talking about.’ She crossed her arms momentarily, before she caught hold of the edge of the sink as the plane dipped in a pocket of turbulence.

Harry swayed towards her, then regained his balance, his lips twisting to the side before he sighed. ‘Look, I was just trying to make sure he wouldn’t bother you again.’

‘I knew you’d done something. How dare you? What if I need him to bother me? For work.’

‘Then … I have severely misunderstood what your job is.’

‘Ha ha. I just mean if I need to collaborate with his company or something.’

‘Oh, well.’ He licked his lip and his eyes darted around the tiny room. ‘I’m sure you’ll all be able to be professional about it. He’ll be able to rise above the … feelings. Hopefully. And it’ll wear off eventually anyway.’

‘Rise. Above. What?’ Her words came out like a shower of hail.

‘A sort of feeling of, erm …’

‘Of …?’ Her nails dug into her palms as she glared at him.

He swallowed. ‘Repulsion?’

‘Repulsion. Towards me?’

He nodded.

‘Oh my God, Harry.’ She shook her head.

‘I was trying to do you a favour.’

‘That’s not a favour. I don’t need you swooping in, pretending to rescue me and coercing people. I’m not a damsel in distress, and even if I was, I wouldn’t ask for you of all people to help me like that. Do you understand me?’

Another big dip of turbulence sent him across the cubicle towards her. He caught himself with a hand on the wall and one on the door, over her shoulders. He stayed there for a moment, staring down at her. She took a deep breath, his body so close, the smell of his spicy aftershave curling out towards her, fogging up her mind. His mouth virtually at eye level. Her heart rate accelerating.

‘Loud and clear,’ he said stonily.

She watched the shape of his mouth from mere inches away. Replayed it a couple of times in her mind before she realised what he’d actually said.

‘Wh-what?’ For a moment, she thought he was referring to her heart rate kicking up – loud and clear – because of his proximity.

‘I understand you. Loud and clear. Last person on earth you’d ask for help. Me and my dirty, immoral magic, persuading someone to stop pestering a woman. Got it.’

‘There are other ways, Harry.’ She grit her teeth. ‘It’s high-handed and arrogant and unnecessary.’

‘Well, that obviously comes naturally to me.’ He pushed himself away and she missed it. It was like leaving the warmth of the house to step outside into a snowstorm and she hated herself for the yearning to have it back.

Hated him for making her feel that way.

‘Of course it does. You’re an influencer.’

‘Ugh.’ He drove a hand back into his hair and gripped it hard. ‘I know I made a mistake before and I’m sorry about that, I am. But you’re so prejudiced now. And such a hypocrite. You influence people constantly.’

Kay’s mouth worked as she tried to think past the possibility he was referencing when he’d influenced her with the smiley face and that he was apologising for it. In an offhand, middle-of-a-different-conversation kind of way.

He’d followed it with a ‘but’ though. Even if it was an apology for the smiley face, it was a poor one. And what was he going on about; her influencing people?

‘I beg your pardon. You know that’s not my gift. You’re talking rubbish.’

‘It’s not your main gift, but the influencer and empath magic has blended in you. Just your presence makes people more aware of their feelings for others.’ He untangled his hand from his hair, leaving it standing up on end, and gestured as wildly as he could manage between them in the small space.

‘What? No. No, it doesn’t.’

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