Page 14 of Witchful Thinking

"Perfect timing," Alarick replied, securing the mirror."We've been at this for hours."

Diana blinked, surprised to see the sun high overhead."Time flies when you're having fun," she said sarcastically, though it wasn't entirely untrue.

"Speaking of which, lunch?"Alarick revealed a basket hidden behind a cabinet."I may have anticipated us forgetting to eat.Again."

"You're getting predictable," she said, though her stomach betrayed her with another embarrassing growl.

They settled by the window, unpacking sandwiches and drinks.Diana studied Alarick when he wasn't looking.

"I've been thinking about your idea," he said, biting into a sandwich."Integrating healing spells into protective wards."

"Oh?"Diana tried to recall mentioning this.

"With the right magical buffer, we could create emergency wards that begin preliminary healing while medical help arrives."His eyes lit with enthusiasm, making him unfairly attractive."The spell architecture would be complex, but if anyone could design the healing component, it would be you."

"You seem very confident in my abilities," she said, caught off guard by his matter-of-fact praise.

"I've seen you work," he shrugged.

Diana felt pleasure at his words—not flattery but genuine professional respect.

"Well," she managed, "your warding techniques are impressive too.I've never seen protective spells adapt so naturally to changing conditions."

His smile warmed her from the inside out."Are we actually exchanging compliments?Should I check for magical influence?"

"Very funny."But she was smiling too."Professional recognition isn't personal flattery."

"Isn't it?"His eyes held hers."Because right now, it feels very personal."

The air between them crackled with something more potent than leftover magic.Diana's heart raced with a rhythm that had nothing to do with professional admiration.

"Alarick—" she began, then faltered.

"We never finished our conversation from last night," he said quietly."About us."

"There is no 'us,'" she replied automatically, the words ringing hollow.

"Isn't there?"He set down his drink, eyes serious."We can keep pretending this is just magical compatibility or professional respect.But we both know it's more."

Diana wanted to retreat behind her professional walls, but the events of the past days—working seamlessly during emergencies, their easy conversation at dinner, the perfect synchronization of their magic—made denial feel dishonest.

"It's complicated," she said lamely.

"It doesn't have to be."He moved closer, his warmth radiating toward her."Unless you're genuinely not interested.If that's the case, I'll never mention it again."

Diana really looked at him—not just his obvious appeal, but the intelligence in his eyes, the confidence in his hands, the way he'd proven himself both skilled and considerate.Ten years younger, yes, but her equal in every way that mattered.

"That's not it," she admitted softly."I am interested.More than I should be."

The naked desire that flashed in his eyes at her confession sent heat rushing through her.

"Then what's stopping you?"he asked, voice dropping."Really?"

Diana swallowed."Professional boundaries.Working together.The age thing.What people will say."

"And if none of that mattered?"His gaze intensified."If it was just you and me, no complications.What would you want then?"

The question hung between them, demanding honesty she'd been avoiding since his return.Diana thought of all her careful arguments for maintaining distance.

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