Wicked Days by Lily Harper Hart Page B

there’s something out there to counter it, even if I never get to see it with my own eyes.”
    “Okay then,” Ivy said, giving in. “I’ll show you some magic.”
    A wave of … something … ran down Jack’s spine. He was already in the presence of magic, even if Ivy didn’t know it. It was like the air was sparking around them – they just couldn’t see it. “Let’s go.”
    Jack followed Ivy, the duo occasionally chatting about specific trees and landmarks, but the trek was made mostly in silence. After about fifteen minutes, Ivy led Jack into a small clearing. It took Jack a few seconds to realize what he was looking at.
    An old tree, one of those ancient husks that almost looks as if it has a face carved into it, rested on one side. In the middle, a large ring of mushrooms made a complete circle around a distinctive rock. It almost looked like a small altar. Between the chirping birds and far off trickle from a nearby creek, Jack was nearly convinced he’d crossed over into Heaven.
    “This is … amazing.”
    “It’s special,” Ivy agreed, glancing around. “This is my favorite place on Earth.”
    “Do you come here often? Does Max come out here with you?”
    “This is my … private place,” Ivy said. “Max has been here. He always knew to come here to find me when I was late for dinner as a kid. He still let me have this place to myself.”
    Jack turned to her, his expression thoughtful. “If this is your private place, why did you bring me here?”
    Ivy shrugged. “I just thought you might need a little magic.”
    The air between them zinged, and Jack unconsciously took a step toward her. His eyes were focused on her petal pink lips, and he couldn’t force his mind to any other notion besides kissing her. He couldn’t explain it, and he wasn’t sure he could fight it.
    Ivy appeared to be reading his mind because she didn’t shy away when he moved toward her.
    “What’s happening?” Jack murmured, taking another step. She was only a foot away from him now.
    “Magic,” Ivy whispered, tilting her head up and widening her blue eyes.
    Jack took the final step, his fingers grazing the side of her face, but instead of finding solid ground his ankle twisted as he stepped on a rock and he found himself falling. He just wasn’t falling into her eyes – or upon her lips. He was tumbling toward the ground.
    “Oh, crap!”

Twelve
    All manly bravado fled Jack the second he hit the ground. His tailbone hurt and his wrist pinged with pain as he used it to absorb the bulk of his fall, but it was his pride that took the biggest beating.
    Ivy’s eyes were like saucers, the blue searching Jack’s brown orbs for a hint that he was hurt. “Are you okay?”
    “I’m fine,” Jack said, grunting as he shifted.
    “Are you sure?”
    “I’m sure.”
    “That’s good,” Ivy said. Then she burst into hysterical gales of laughter, bending over at the waist and letting her whole body shake.
    Jack scowled. “Are you laughing at me?”
    “I can’t help it,” Ivy said, holding her hand to her midriff as she gasped for breath. “I just … it was like something out of a movie.”
    Jack didn’t want to laugh, but Ivy was having such a good time it was contagious. Finally, he gave in and joined her. “Yes, it’s very funny.”
    “You’re such a big guy,” Ivy said, collecting herself. “It was like you were falling in slow motion.”
    “I’m glad to serve as your entertainment.” Jack leaned back on the ground, rolling slightly so he could gain his footing. He pushed off and climbed to his feet, rubbing his hands against his shirt and jeans to clean them once he was standing. “Are you done laughing now?”
    Ivy pressed her lips together, uncertain. “I think so.”
    “I can wait until you’re done.”
    “Are you sure?”
    Jack waited, and when Ivy dissolved into giggles again, he couldn’t help but join her as he rubbed the back of his neck wearily. “That’s nice,” he said.
    “What