Spellbound: A magical sequel to Bewitched Read Free

extraordinary.
    Our waiter returns for our order. I say I want whatever Madison is having, earning a funny look from her.
    I laugh when our twin salads arrive.
    “Seriously? You’re only going to eat a salad? You said you were starving. Aren’t you hungry?” I stab a piece of romaine. “Wait, you’re not doing the girl who only eats a salad on a date thing are you? Please tell me that’s not why.”
    “I like salad.” She pokes a crouton with her fork. “They make the best homemade Caesar dressing here. With garlic and real …”
    I can’t hear the rest because she’s covered her mouth with her hand.
    “Is everything okay?”  
    She’s not speaking and I’m worried she’s choking. I’m about two seconds from shoving out of my chair to give her the Heimlich when she moves her hand.
    “I’m terrible at dating.”
    “Why?”
    “I’ve ordered the worst thing on the menu for a date. Smelly garlic dressing. I’m cursed.”
    “Well, when you put it that way.” I take a huge bite. “It’s a good thing we’re both having the salad.”
    Tentatively she takes another bite. “Next time you should order for both of us.”
    “Very old-fashioned of you. I figured you for a modern girl. Insisting on splitting the check to the penny.” I give her a shy grin, hoping she realizes I’m teasing. I’m too busy focusing on my stupid joke that it takes me a moment for my brain to process her words. “Next time, I’ll be paying, too. I’m old school when it comes to dates.”
    I love the way her smile starts small before her faces lights up with it. Amusement sparks in her eyes.  
    We spend the rest of the meal chatting about the party and classes at Hawthorne, our favorite writers, food, movies, and growing up in Massachusetts.  
    “My parents still live on their farm in Hardwick.”
    “I didn’t figure you for a farm girl. Sam looks more like the farm-raised, all American ideal.” I bring up Madison’s roommate because the two of them could not be more opposite. While Madison is petite and dark, Sam resembles a corn stalk with her height and blond hair. Perhaps not the most flattering description, but not inaccurate either.
    “She’s wholesome on the outside, but don’t let the perfect smile fool you. There’s a heart of darkness beneath the blond braids.”
    “What lies beneath your dark beauty? Rainbows and kittens?”
    She tilts her head back and laughs. “Yes, I’m ninety-seven percent rainbow filling.”
    “You have the best laugh. You should do it more often.”
    “I could say the same about your smile. I see you’re back to your disguise.” She points at my glasses and brown contacts. The two combine to help me be unremarkable. “I miss your real eye color. I think I prefer the blue.”
    “Good to know. It’s easier this way, but when we’re alone, you’ll always get the real me.”
    Her smile returns.  
    “I think we need dessert to balance out the salad. Agree?” I ask.
    “Something chocolate.”
    “Definitely.”  
    I don’t want the date to end, but when we finish dessert, I glance around the empty restaurant. In the front room, chairs are resting upside down on the bare wood tables. Our waiter and the busboy are sitting at the bar, talking with the bartender while the late news plays.
    “Where did everyone go?”
    “They disappeared like magic.” She presses her lips together to suppress her smile. It’s adorable.
    “Poof!”  
    “Can you do that?” Her face is serious.
    “Make a room full of people disappear? I’m not a magician or illusionist who does tricks.”
    “Sorry. This is all new to me.” She tucks her hair behind one ear.
    “Surely Sam and her Wicca fascination have explained a few elements.” I touch her hand to reassure her. Sam is a regular customer at my mother’s shop and attends the public coven gatherings.  
    “Other than smudging me with burning sage and making me smell like a Thanksgiving dinner, I don’t really ask her about