100% That Witch - Celia Kyle Page 0,36

and kind. I mean, who wouldn’t love a creature who can create this?” He held the dragonfly out for her to see, its wings moving in a slow, hypnotic rhythm. “Any man who doesn’t want you is clearly an idiot.”

Tiffany looked up from the dragonfly and realized how close his mouth was to hers, and that she really didn’t want to move away. They were only inches apart and the pain in her chest was quickly fading as warmth spread up her belly and made her tingle in all the right—or wrong—places.

No! As much as she liked Nero, this was obviously a case of Nightingale syndrome. He’d shown her a modicum of affection and a tiny bit of caring when she was hurting, and she was getting all goofy about it. No, this was all in her head, so she scooted back, just a little.

“Thanks,” she said softly. Her eyes flicked up and met his gaze before returning to her lap.

“I mean it,” he said. “Don’t take this so hard. Rhys isn’t a bad guy. He just isn’t the guy for you. It wasn’t meant to be. I know it hurts right now, but don’t let it erode your confidence. Your magic was just starting to work for you. Although...” He lifted his palm, examining the dragonfly. “I’d say it works very well, even when it’s a bit out of control.”

She smiled up at him, feeling the joy behind it. He made her feel so good, she was wishing she could just dive back into his arms.

When he smiled back at her, though, it seemed more meaningful than his usual warm smiles. His eyes bore into her, as though he could see her heart and soul, and they were beautiful to him.

The only reason he’s talking to me like this is because he knows what it’s like to be with The One, she thought. He has love. He knows what it feels like. That’s all.

Her eyes stung with tears again because she knew there was really no other meaning here. At best, she was projecting. She wanted to be accepted so badly that she wanted to imagine someone—anyone—was in love with her. But Nero had found his Beloved, and it most assuredly wasn’t her.

“Tiff,” he lifted her chin with a finger. “I mean it. There is a guy for you. Someone who really sees you. Who will love you for exactly who you are, not in spite of it. Grieve if you must, but remember that you weren’t right for each other. A woman like you should never feel like she has to chase someone who isn’t interested in her.”

His words made perfect sense, but now she was wishing he could be that guy. What a pity his comment related to himself as well. Was she doomed to fall for guys who were unavailable, emotionally or otherwise?

Right now, with him paying her such patient attention, it didn’t seem to matter. He cared about her and that was obvious. She could soak that up guilt-free, and in the meantime, a harmless crush might be exactly what she needed to get her mind off Rhys.

Fourteen

A few days had passed since the breakup—if it could be called that—and sleep still eluded Tiffany. She had grown weary of wallowing in bed, and she was too scattered to find another activity to distract herself with. Her thoughts kept bouncing around, trying to slip into the familiar pattern of fantasizing about Rhys, only to run up against the reality of his rejection all over again.

She wrapped her hands more firmly around her coffee cup and stared balefully into the kitchen tabletop. At this stage, she didn’t know if the distress was keeping her from sleep or the lack of sleep causing the distress. The only comforting thought in her mind was Nero—and that couldn’t be entertained for very long, for obvious reasons.

There was a noise at the door, and Tiffany raised her bleary eyes to see Aurora coming in. She was dressed brightly and had her usual warm smile on her face. Tiffany sat up a little in surprise.

“Is it that late?”

Aurora frowned. “Late? No, it’s early. You know I’m always keen to get to work.”

Tiffany couldn’t quite manage a recognizable expression, and Aurora’s face fell. She hurried over to pat Tiffany gently on the hand.

“Have you been sitting here all night?” Aurora asked.

Tiffany shook her head. “Of course not. I mean, maybe. I know I went to bed, but I couldn’t sleep. I accidently conjured