Page 33 of Magic & Matchmaking
“Here I was, curled up by the fire.” He pointed his tail at a hearth that sat in the corner of the shop. We hadn’t used it during the daybecause it was too warm, but at night, it got cool enough that Herman liked it to be lit. “Then bam: the door busts open and in stumbles Riven Shiu, half naked.”
I cleared my throat. I’d forgotten Herman would be here. I was so used to him sleeping at Arcane Creatures Emporium with his siblings, and it wasn’t like I ever came to the shop at night.
Riven and I had been at the tavern, having a few drinks, and then he’d casually reached my hand under the table and rubbed his inner thighs. That was all it took for Riven to yank me out of the tavern. We’d barely made it to the tea shop, already undressing each other as we stumbled inside. He’d just slipped his hand between my legs, rubbing over my panties, when Herman shrieked and shot fire at us, thinking we were intruders.
My skirt had caught on fire, and coupled with Herman’s shrieks, that had effectively killed the mood.
“I’m glad you and your boyfriend are getting along so well, but if you could get along behind closed doors and not in public, I’d appreciate it.” Herman huffed, smoke puffing from his nostrils.
I groaned, my cheeks now flaming as Layla hid a smile behind her hand. “We both apologized.” Several times. “And we promised that wouldn’t happen again. I didn’t realize anyone would be here.”
He pointed his tail at the windows. “And what about those? You two were going to be on display for all of Thistlegrove?”
Okay, so we hadn’t exactly been thinking clearly, not after the alcohol. In the last two weeks since that day in the forest, we’d barely been able to keep our hands off each other. I’d never felt like this before.
“Oh, she’s smiling again,” Herman said to Layla. “I know that smile. She’s thinking about Riven. Probably about his abs. I got a good peek at them last night, and holy witch. You could cut stone on those things.”
“Herman,” I said, shooting a glance at Layla. “That’s enough about Riven.”
Layla approached the counter. She tugged at her black hair, twisting a strand around her finger and not meeting my eyes.
“Everything alright?” I asked.
“I, um, well, I was hoping I could have tomorrow off? If it’s too much of an imposition, then just tell me, and I’ll rearrange my plans?—”
I lay a hand over hers. Her gaze slowly rose to meet mine.
“Of course you can have the day off.” I raised a brow. “Special plans with a special someone?”
Layla’s cheeks turned pink, which was confirmation enough for me.
Layla had taken my advice and had come to another matchmaking event, this time mingling and meeting lots of different witches. By the end of the night, I’d figured out the perfect match for her: a witch who was in town selling special charms she made. She traveled all over the realm selling these charms. I’d overheard her conversation with Layla, and her life seemed to wondrous. Her adventures. The things she’d seen. She could open up Layla’s whole world. Get her out of her shell. So I might have pushed Layla to pursue her. Now, a week and a half later and they’d seen each other every day since.
“How did purple haze do today?” Layla asked, changing the subject.
“We sold out,” I said. “Another amazing tea recipe from you. You’ve got so many lately. We’ll miss you if you suddenly get the urge to take off and travel the world...”
I trailed off as Layla’s eyes widened. “Oh, I don’t know about that. That’s... well, that’s a big leap.” She bit at her thumbnail.
“If you really like Sarise, then maybe it’s a risk worth taking.” I gave a shrug. “Or you can write and keep in touch until she’s here again.”
Layla’s face had lost some of its color. “I should go,” she said. “I’m meeting Sarisa for dinner tonight at The Brewhouse.”
“Have fun,” I called after her, and she practically ran out the door.
Herman snorted.
I turned. “Do you have something to say?”
“You just encouraged a twenty-two-year-old to quit her job, pack her bags, and travel the world with someone she just met.”
I scoffed. “That’s not... that didn’t... I didn’t... that’s not what happened,” I finished weakly. “She and Sarise have hit it off spectacularly.”
Herman yawned. “And you know that based on one conversation you witnessed between them?”
I grabbed the wet rag and swatted at the dragon. He shrieked. “I’m supposed to help matches along.”
“Says who?” Herman didn’t have eyebrows, but if he did, I imagined he’d be raising one right now.
