"You know what’s so weird about this?"
"Other than the fact that it follows you, the ink changes color, and hints apparently appear in random places?"
"Yeah. Other than that." Sadie works to untie the twine holding it closed.
"Nope. No idea."
Sadie sighs, flipping it open to pull out the letter. She holds it up. "It's from Beth. I’ve known her my whole life, and I never once speculated that she had powers? Was a witch?"
Holding up a finger, I dart inside and grab two Diet Cokes from my fridge. Returning, I motion for her to proceed, popping the tabs and handing her one. Sadie takes a small sip.
"Sometimes people only show us who they want us to see. Maybe it’s not something she wanted you to know."
"But why now?"
Standing, I grab our drinks, placing one in the crook of my arm and reach my free hand out to her.
"Let’s go inside." Sadie doesn’t question it, but the truth is simple. I feel compelled to be close to her during this conversation, to touch her or hold her if I need to.
We settle on the couch, our drinks on the small sofa table that sits behind it. Bridget insisted I needed it, and I have to admit it comes in handy. Holding her injured hand, I draw small circles on her palm.
"Is it possible she’s showing you now because she decided that the risk of not helping you is greater than telling you the truth?"
Sadie peers at me, her neck flushing red. "No, I don’t know. That’s another thing that doesn’t add up. I’ve always been this way. I mean, even in school, I was so focused I didn’t really have a life. You remember. And none of these clues make sense. The ones we’ve solved have nothing to do with my life."
She’s getting frustrated. Her chest heaves rapidly, and she’s twisting her hair with her fingers like she wants to pull it out.
"I remember you went to prom with Bradley Bushnell. Seemed like you had a life that night." My skin heats at the reminder. Xav was right. I had a serious crush on her. I was just too young and too dumb to do anything about it.
Sadie snorts. "Oh my God. Are you jealous right now?"
I shake my head from side to side, biting the inside of my cheek.
"Yes, you are. Someone call the Mage Hollow Messenger!" Sadie pretends to yell to the empty room. "Max O’Reilly, the prince of Mage, is jealous of a boy whose hands shook so badly on the walk in he could barely escort me."
I tickle her side. "Okay, laugh it up. I’m not jealous."
"Yes, you are." Sadie continues to fall apart, trying to wiggle out of my hold. But I pin her to the couch instead with one arm on each side of her face.
"Okay, fine. I’m a little jealous. But only because I had a tiny crush on you." I bury my face in her neck, holding my weight off her as much as possible.
"What!" Sadie laughs harder now, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably. "There… is… no… way."
Pulling back slightly, I trail a finger down the side of her cheek and brush my thumb under her bottom lip.
"Sade, I’m not sure if you know this, but you’re kinda sexy as hell." I dip forward, brushing my lips across hers lightly. "You’ve got the whole brainiac thing going on, always so organized, not to mention this face, among other things."
She blushes, closing her eyes as she shakes her head back and forth. "Max, stop."
"No."
"Yes."
"The best friendships are built on open communication, Sade. I’m being honest. I’m like really into you." I roll my hips forward so she can feel how much I’m telling the truth.
She covers her face, mumbling through her hands. "I secretly wanted you to ask me out back then."
"Sorry, I didn’t hear you? What did you say?"