A Lesson in Magic (by Kit Bryan) novel Chapter 59

Lesson 59- Always be respectful of someone else’s home.

I knock on Torin’s office door.

“Hey Tori, two questions. First, would you mind helping Lindy get home? She’s scared of being assaulted again if she tries to get home by herself.” I smile at him and stare up hopefully giving him a hint of begging kitten eyes. He shrugs.

“If it will make you happy then yes I can escort her her home. You seem fond of her.” He notes and I nod.

“She seems sweet. I also feel kind of responsible for her, I did invite her to come inside and I promised I would keep an eye on her. I didn’t expect the night would be quite as dramatic as it was.” I point out and Torin smiles.

“Life does seem to be very eventful since you turned up on my back doorstep.” He jokes and I grin.

“You said you had two questions?” He prompts.

“Yeah, why are you still here?” I ask.

“To make sure you’re safe. I don’t think you are particularly in any danger from Lindy, but I don’t know her well enough to be confident. So… I just stayed. You are okay, right? I know I asked last night, but you did take a fall. I thought you might be sore this morning. Do you want me to bring you back some painkillers or something?” He offers.

“I’m fine, I really didn’t fall that badly. If you want to bring something back, maybe bring food and we could have dinner or something? Usually Kyle feeds me and I’m too scared to mess with his kitchen while he’s off work.” I laugh but Torin nods seriously..

“Sure, I’ll bring you back whatever you want. Why don’t you let your guest know that I will take her home whenever she’s ready and think about what you might want to eat?” He suggests and I grin.

“Thanks.”

I see Lindy and Torin off, then take a quick shower before settling down to wait with a good book, and by a good book I mean the book about old coins that Torin gave me. I spin the coin fron Jane around and fiddle with it as I flip through the pages, searching for a match, or at least something like it. Anything that might tell me more about Jane’s random gift. I love the coin, I’m getting disturbingly attached to it actually. Aside from the fact that I can’t seem to leave it behind anywhere, I find it oddly comforting. Whenever I’m sitting around and my hands are empty I find myself pulling it out just to twirl it between my fingers or tilt it around to watch the way lights reflect on it. It takes about fourty minutes for me to find a coin in the book that looks sort of like mine. It’s not EXACTLY the same, but based on the pictures I’d say it’s similar enough that they’re probably connected in some way. The book doesn’t say a lot about the coin either. It states the origin of the coins as unknown but that at some point they came into the possession of a very powerful sorcerer who placed a variety of different spells on the coins. Annoyingly, the book doesn’t say WHAT spells were used. But that at the time, the sorcerer used to give them away as good luck charms to the people he cared about. The book DOES say that the coins are rare and are considered highly valuable as a collectors item. Since there is no way of knowing what spell is on a coin, or even if the spell is still valid since they’re so old, they aren’t reliable magically, but they are interesting and you never know, the spells COULD still be workable, powerful even. It’s so strange. How in the world did it end up here with Jane? Well, no matter how it ended up here. It’s my lucky charm now. A soft knocking on my doorframe draws my attention and i look up to see Torin waiting by my open door. He holds up a bag of food.

“I bought dinner.” He says tentatively and I smile then tuck the coin into my bra. Time for dinner with Torin.

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2/3

A Lesson in Magic

Lesson 60- It’s important to wear clean socks and underwear.

Torin picked up Thai food and it smells amazing. We COULD sit and eat in his office, but there really isn’t a lot of space there so I suggest we sit out at a table in the bar. Torin agrees easily and while I set the food out, he lights a few of the candles so the room isn’t too dark. Without the crowds and music it gives off a far more intimate atmosphere that I wouldn’t have expected to find in a bar. I sit down to eat, but Torin heads to the bar and pours us both drinks. He gently places the glass in front of me and takes his seat. We eat silently for a moment, but I feel a strange pressure to make conversation. Something about this situation feels weird, it’s hardly the first meal I’ve shared with Torin, but it’s somehow different. I can’t quite place my finger on it.

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“So… How did you go taking Lindy home?” I ask. Torin considers.

“Okay. She was… Very quiet. I thought I might have upset her, but she was staying very close to me. It was a strange experience.” he concludes and I laugh.

“I think she’s usually fairly quiet as far as I can tell. And you did save her last night.” I remind him. He shakes his head.

“You were the one who saved her, not me.” He insists. I roll my eyes.

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“Fine, I saved her and then you saved me. The point is, she’s already seen that you’re actually a total cinnamon roll.” I wink and he laughs.

“A cinnamon roll?” He asks and I shrug.

“Soft and sweet.” I explain and he smiles. He seems really relaxed tonight. After I broke the initial awkward silence, the conversation flows easily. I talk

about some of the books I’ve read and update Torin on what I’ve learned about my lucky coin. I even grab my book and show him the entry. He agrees that

my coin is probably from the set I read about. We finish eating and I stack up the packaging to give to Jane.

“I think we have ice cream in the fridge, do you want some?” He offers and I nod eagerly.

“I never turn down ice cream.” I tell him seriously. Torin smiles and disappears out back while I give Jane the takeout containers. This meal has been nice,

but something still feels different. It’s not until Torin returns with two bowls of ice cream that I realise what it is. We PLANNED this meal together. Usually

we’re working and eating and just kind of end up eating together and hanging out in his office because it’s out of the way. This time, Torin intentionally

picked up food and came in early to have a meal with me. Neither of us is working, I had his undivided attention, and he had mine. This whole thing felt

like… Well, it feels like a date. I stare at Torin as he places the bowls on the table and carefully places little spoons on top of them. He turns to face me

proudly. I can’t help but smile and take my seat, although I’m still kind of concerned about this. Is this a date? Surely not. It’s only a date if we want it to

be a date. We’re just friends hanging out… Right? I flash back to the way he hugged me last night, and back to that time just after we made up when I

thought that, maybe, he was flirting with me. He’s been super nice to me since then, but he hasn’t been flirting. I don’t think… Have I been flirting? I think

back on my actions. I mean, I do touch him a lot, and tease him. But that’s just how I am. Okay, that’s not totally true. I have to admit I do get a sense of

satisfaction out of making Torin blush. Still, that doesn’t answer my question. Is this a date or isn’t it? Or more importantly, do I WANT it to be one? I sigh

internally. Yeah, I think I kind of do. But if he asked, I would have to say no. Our situation is too messed up. I think we both know that. So… This isn’t a

date. It’s just… Like a date. I can work with that.

1 finish eating my ice cream in silence. I’ve been thinking so I didn’t notice how quiet I’ve been but Torin does.

“Are you okay? You’re not talking… It’s weird.” He points out and I choke out a laugh..

“Sorry, I was a little distracted.” I explain. Torin tilts his head.

“What were you thinking about?” he asks and I freeze. My mind blanks as I try to think of an acceptable answer. Torin is waiting for my response, an

innocent expression on his face. I panic.

“Laundry!” I half yell. Torin blinks in surprise.