Witch In Charge - Celia Kyle Page 0,39
party coming up on Friday, which excited her. They had food and drinks organized, Ryan’s band was ready to play, and Tiffany was taking care of the decorations. Kelly didn’t even mind that they would be all pink.
Just one thing left to make it perfect, she thought.
Even though she wouldn’t admit it to herself, her eyes lingered on the door while she waited for a certain someone to walk through. She knew his schedule was very close to hers so he should be coming in any minute now.
When Ronun actually appeared in the doorway, as though summoned by her attention, she didn’t believe it. She blinked a few times before dropping her sandwich—and her cool persona—to stand up and wave excitedly. When he spotted her and broke into a brilliant smile, warm and fuzzy feelings filled her chest.
Kelly had been so torn between thinking he wanted her and that he wanted nothing to do with her, she couldn’t trust her own judgment. It wasn’t a seesaw, it was a damn bungee line, jerking her up and down until her stomach was full of flapping bugs and her mind was full of anxiety.
Is this what it feels like to really be into someone? I don’t even know.
Ronun’s smile as he sat down might have been the warmest she had ever seen it. She could tell she was grinning far too broadly because her cheeks hurt. Only now did she realize how out of character—and completely dorky—it was for her to literally leap up from her seat and wave like she was seeing a ship off a dock.
She looked down at the table, batting her lashes as she tried to get herself under control.
What the hell is wrong with me? Be cool, Kelly. Be cool.
Even though she was giving herself a stern talking to, her over-enthusiasm had gotten him to come over here and sit with her, so she stubbornly concluded that this was a win and she refused to dwell on it further.
Her eyes came up slowly, locking onto Ronun’s. She was caught. Her cheeks were hurting again. Was he talking? Maybe he was.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
“I’m sorry I—” Kelly started.
“How is it with—” Ronun blurted at exactly the same time.
Kelly laughed and he did too, an honest expression of mirth that touched her heart. She was amazed that he could ever be so happy while under such a terrible curse. Her heart went out to him all over again.
“Sorry,” she said. “What were you going to say?”
Uncertainty flashed behind his eyes, but only for a second. His mouth tightened and she was worried for a second that he was going to say something really unexpected, like “I’m leaving town” or “Stop staring at me all the time” or even ”I don’t know how I end up on your porch so stop moving me.”
“I just wanted to ask if you were free on Friday?” Even though his tone was even and casual, a muscle jumped in his cheek. He really was nervous.
“Free?” she echoed, trying to make sense of her greatest need manifesting itself on her lunch break, completely out of the blue.
“Maybe grab some dinner or a drink? What do you say?”
Good god, he’s asking me out! Yes, yes, a million times yes!
She almost screamed YES! before she remembered her own plans.
“Actually, we're having a housewarming party on Friday. I was hoping I’d see you before then so I could invite you.”
His smile resumed, filling her heart to overflowing. “I’d love to come.”
“Awesome.” She grinned right back at him.
She almost said “It’s a date” but caught it before it slipped out. She didn’t want to put pressure on him. Maybe she didn’t want to put pressure on herself either.
“What kind of party?” he asked casually. “Should I dress up or wear a costume or what?”
Kelly giggled at the idea of Ronun in something ridiculous like a clown costume but shook her head.
“No, nothing like that. Just a gathering of people looking for fun.”
“Sounds good to me.” He laughed. “I wouldn’t want to be left out of a costume competition or anything.”
“You’re full of surprises, you know that?”
His expression became pointed. “And I’m only just getting started.”
The moment seemed to grow around them, intensity heavy in the air. Kelly had to look down and fiddle with her napkin just to fight the urge to launch herself across the table and kiss him.
“So, how’s work?” he asked.
It wasn’t the way people usually asked the question, as filler for conversation.