Page 11 of Ward
Magic. Life is so, so full of magic, if you just notice.
Before he can say what’s all brewing in his mind, our bill is delivered into Ward’s palm and he must have already had hiscard ready because it’s then whisked away from our table in the blink of an eye.
“I can split it with you,” I offer, ridiculously. My shop and channel do well, I get by, but even half of this bill could be equal to next month’s rent for all I know.
“Absolutely not,” Ward says sternly.
“Oh, okay. Well thank you, I’ll at least get the tip…” I reach into my purse to fish out some cash, and Ward’s big paw hand comes down around the sides of my purse, hand in there and all.
“No.” He releases, and I slide my hand out. “You’re not paying one cent of this meal or the next one or the one after that.” There isn’t a hint of humor nor flirtation on his face or in his tone. Only adamance.
“The next one?”
Now there’s that grin. I’m seriously liking how I’m able to inspire it to appear. “Yes, Spark.And the one after that.”
I cross my arms and fire him a look that’s part playful, part challenge. “You were going to tell me your story, tell me about you?”
“I like what you said. I’m good with just here and now.”
“Really, nothing at all about your past, growing up?”
The adamance returns, but this time, with a touch of solemness. “Not today, Spark.”
It’s not like me toreallywant to know, but I do. I excruciatingly do. I want to know every speck of his past, and his present. I want to know Ward like I know me. From the inside out.
Thisisour first date, I have to remind myself. Something inside him is so locked up, I’m not going to hammer it out in a single dinner. It will take time, patience.
A touch of sorcery.
“I have something for you.” I reach into my purse once again, peering up at Ward through my eyelashes. I turn away from him, so the purse is out of reach. “For my fingers’ sake,” I half joke.
“What is it?”
I close my fingers around the crystal and hold my hand out toward him. “Open.”
Ward turns over my hand so it’s palm up and slowly peels open my fingers one by one like he’s unwrapping a present. He’s such a good sport, playing along.
“Aw, Spark.” His face is caught between a frown and a smile as he peers at the large, blackish-blue crystal. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
“Worry…” I repeat. “H-how do you know what this is for?”
“It’s hematite, right? For protection from negative energy…for grounding. You talked about it.”
My heart swoops. “You watched my videos?”
“Oh yeah. Got a whole shit-ton of hell for it, too.” He smirks. “Worth it.”
“My goodness, seriously? Ward…I’m so flattered.”
His arms reach out and he draws me toward him, planting a soft kiss to my forehead. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
“I think that I do.”
“How about I just keep it with me always.”
“That will make me feel much better,” I murmur.
“Good.”
