Page 25 of Impawssible Magic

“That’s her whole thing.” Zeph waves a dismissive hand. “Cryptic warnings, knowing smiles, peach cobbler that borders on the supernatural. We’ve all learned to just go with it.”

“The cobbler is unreasonably good.” Sakura nods emphatically. “I had some. I cried. Actual tears. It was embarrassing.”

“Her cobbler makes everyone cry.” Zeph’s grin turns sly. “Speaking of making people emotional—Anouk. Any updates on your situation?”

Anouk’s expression doesn’t change, but her posture shifts. Closes off. “I don’t have a situation.”

“You have a wolf situation. Specifically, a very tall, very intense wolf who stares at you during every Network meeting like you hung the moon.”

“Caius is a colleague.” Each word is precise. Controlled. “Our interaction is purely professional.”

“Uh huh.” Zeph’s skepticism could strip paint. “That’s why he shows up at the apothecary three times a week for supplies he definitely doesn’t need.”

“He runs the Protection Network. They have substantial supply requirements⁠—”

“He bought lavender bath salts last Tuesday. Bath salts, Anouk. The most terrifying wolf in Mistvale is taking lavender baths.”

Sakura makes a sound that might be a giggle. I’m trying very hard not to do the same.

Anouk takes a measured sip of her drink. “Perhaps we could discuss anything other than my imaginary romantic entanglements.”

“Fine. Let’s discuss Leire’s very real romantic entanglements.” Zeph pivots with alarming speed. “Has Aslan kissed you yet?”

I choke on my Starlight Special. Actual stars come out of my nose.

“What—no—there’s no—we barely speak⁠—”

“But there’s tension. Everyone can see the tension.” Zeph leans forward. “The last time I saw tension like that, it was between Sunny’s new apprentice and that selkie musician, and they ended up engaged within a month.”

“There’s no tension.”

“Your magic literally sparks when he walks by. The crystals in your window rearranged themselves into a heart shape yesterday.”

“They did not—” I pause. Think about the rose quartz display I found oddly clustered this morning. “That was coincidence.”

“Sure.” Zeph’s grin is insufferable. “Coincidence. Like the way the mist turns pink around your shop whenever he’s nearby.”

“The mist doesn’t⁠—”

“It absolutely does.” Sakura winces apologetically. “I noticed it too. I thought maybe it was a weather thing at first, but then I realized it only happens when he’s watching you.”

I am going to sink into this floor and never emerge.

“Can we please talk about literally anything else?”

“No.” Zeph is having entirely too much fun. “This is the most exciting gossip we’ve had in months. The murder cat is smitten with the new crystal witch. It’s like a fairy tale, except with more brooding and fewer musical numbers.”

“He’s not—I’m not—there’s nothing⁠—”

Magic crackles at my fingertips. The fairy lights overhead flicker. My drink bubbles ominously.

And then, because the universe has a sense of humor I deeply resent, it starts to rain.

Inside the brewery.

A small cloud has materialized above our table, producing a steady drizzle that’s soaking my hair and making Zeph laugh so hard she nearly falls off her chair.

“Sorry!” Sakura scrambles upright, hands raised, trying to disperse the cloud. “Sorry, sorry, emotions got away from me⁠—”