Chapter 20. The First Date That Almost Happened
1030 Words
Arielle North had never been on a normal date in her life.
By “normal,” she meant one that didn’t involve:
– spilling hot chocolate on herself
– being chased by a runaway snowman
– accidentally setting a restaurant napkin on fire
Yet somehow, here she was, standing outside Noah Reed’s favorite café, wearing her best “I’m-not-accident-prone” outfit—which included a scarf, sweater, and a strategic layer of wool that probably made her look like a walking marshmallow.
Her phone buzzed. A text from Noah:
Hey, I’m inside. Table by the window. Try not to melt any magic on the floor.
Arielle blinked. “Melting magic on the floor… yes, that is my main concern today.”
She took a deep breath and stepped inside.
---
Noah waved from a table by the window. He looked casual, perfectly put together in a way that made her panic. His dark coat hung neatly, hair slightly mussed, eyes shining that warm mix of amusement and something softer—something dangerous that made her chest glow in warning-mode again.
She walked toward him, heels crunching against the wooden floor, eyes darting around in case a chandelier decided to fall.
“Hey,” he said, smiling.
“Hi,” she said, smiling back, although her cheeks heated instantly.
They sat.
The waiter handed menus, and Arielle immediately panicked. She couldn’t decide. Hot chocolate? Latte? Coffee? Tea? Something sparkly that didn’t explode?
She opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. “I… uh…”
Noah’s brows raised. “You’re overthinking it.”
“That’s literally my superpower,” she said. “Bad luck and overthinking. Two-for-one deal.”
He laughed softly. Warmth pooled in her chest. Her magic pulsed faintly in response. “I like that about you,” he said.
She choked. “WHAT?”
“I said I like that about you.”
Her cheeks ignited. “Uh… thanks?”
Smooth, Arielle. Very smooth.
---
They ordered drinks. Noah suggested pastries. Arielle picked a gingerbread muffin.
Bad idea.
Because as soon as it arrived, Arielle’s magic twitched.
It wasn’t catastrophic… yet. Just… a faint glow around her hands. Her muffin began to shimmer.
“Uh…” she muttered. “Is this… normal?”
“Nope,” Noah said with a grin. “But it’s kind of cute.”
She glared. “Cute? My muffin is glowing!”
“It’s a magical muffin now. Very exclusive.”
She pinched the muffin. Sparkles shot into the air.
“Oh no.”
He laughed. “You’re adorable when panicking.”
She swatted at him. “Stop laughing! I’m a disaster magnet!”
“And I’m loving every second of it,” he replied, eyes twinkling.
Arielle groaned.
---
They talked. About the holidays. About books. About how her luck always seemed to betray her. About how he survived tragedy but still believed in little miracles.
Arielle found herself laughing more than she had in weeks. The golden glow in her chest pulsed gently. The magic… seemed content.
Maybe it liked him.
Maybe it trusted him.
That thought made her nervous.
Because the closer they got, the stronger the magic became.
She had learned yesterday that the magic reacted to her heart. And right now… her heart was beating faster than a caffeinated reindeer.
She tried to keep her distance. “So… uh… you like books?”
“Yes,” he said. “And apparently magical muffins.”
“Stop calling me magical.”
“You are.”
She buried her face in her hands.
---
The café was quiet, warm, and cozy. Snow fell gently outside the window. The lights reflected off the icy sidewalks in a soft glow.
Noah reached across the table.
Her pulse nearly betrayed her. The magic pulsed along with it.
“Hey,” he whispered.
“Hey,” she whispered back.
Their fingers brushed. Sparks of gold drifted lazily between them.
Arielle froze. Her mind screamed, Don’t let it happen. Don’t let it happen. Don’t let it happen.
But her heart—her rebellious, traitorous heart—ignored her.
He leaned closer. She leaned slightly back.
He tilted his head. She flinched.
Their lips were inches apart.
And then—
A waiter dropped a tray with a clatter right behind her.
Arielle jumped, shrieked, and spilled her latte. Hot liquid spilled across the table. Muffin sparkles went flying. The golden magic surged wildly.
Noah grabbed her hand to steady her. “Are you okay?”
“Yes!” she shouted. “No! I mean—everything’s fine! It’s fine!”
The waiter apologized profusely. The café turned to watch. The muffin had now glowed so much that it seemed to levitate for a second.
Arielle groaned. “I can’t even do a normal date!”
He laughed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You don’t need normal. You just need… you.”
She looked up at him, cheeks blazing.
He smiled gently. “We’ll have our kiss… someday. When the universe allows it.”
“Yeah… someday,” she whispered.
Her heart glowed softly. Not too bright. Not dangerous. Just… hopeful.
---
The rest of the date went surprisingly well.
No spills.
No magical explosions.
Muffin sparkled only slightly.
Their hands brushed constantly, sending little sparks of warmth between them.
Arielle realized something important:
The magic wasn’t scary anymore. It didn’t want to punish her. It wanted to protect the feelings she couldn’t protect herself from.
And Noah… he didn’t flinch from her chaos. He embraced it, laughed at it, and still looked at her like she was the most fascinating person in the world.
The red envelope shimmered faintly in her purse, as if acknowledging the progress.
Her chest glowed warmly.
Her heart… felt ready.
And for the first time, she wasn’t afraid of good things.
Even if the first date almost ended in disaster.
Even if the first kiss was postponed by fate and muffins.
Even if the magic kept insisting on dramatics.
Arielle smiled. She would survive. She would love. She would trust.
And maybe… just maybe… the next date, the next kiss, the next magical moment… wouldn’t almost happen.
- Writer
