Almost like Ez can read Obie’s mind, she reaches over to nudge his shoulder. “So how are things with your boy toy, Obie? Still in the honeymoon phase?”
“I guess,” Obie says casually. “We’re still having fun together, if that’s what you mean.”
Strangely enough, it’s not a lie. Between their constant banter through the telepathic link, “Kyle’s” esteemed appearances at Wednesday bowling league, and their long Sanctum-toppling discussions until Chester falls asleep every night, Obie feels more alive than he has in years.
Maybe even decades.
It’s a problem. He’s known that it’s a problem for a while now, but it’s becoming more and more true with each passing day. There’s no boy toy, no honeymoon phase, not even an actual person named Kyle, but?—
But there’s part of Obie that wishes this fake relationship were real. Part of him that wishes he really did have some kind of claim on this impulsive, driven, incredible human who’s somehow wormed his way into Obie’s life.
Maybe they can get there someday. Obie is hoping they can broach the subject once Chester officially leaves the Sanctum and moves in with Obie—moves in with him, at least, until they break the binding spell.
Maybe Obie can even convince him to stay for longer.
He’s trying not to think too much about those possibilities, though. And they’re surprisingly easy to ignore right now. Chester is so laser-focused on bringing down the Sanctum that Obie doesn’t even think he has the mental bandwidth to consider a romantic relationship, and if Obie is being honest, he’s almost as obsessed as Chester is. Usually, when they’re deep in discussion about evidence and battle plans, Obie doesn’t even think about his ill-advised attraction.
Usually, it’s only after Chester falls asleep that Obie finds his eyes lingering on Chester’s soft breathing and imagines him curled up in Obie’s bed, instead.
He forces his thoughts back to the present. “Anyway, there isn’tmuch news on the Kyle front,” he says briskly. “How about you, Ez? Everything going well with you and Roma?”
Ez hums in agreement. “We cook a lot of good food, practice a lot of good magic, and have alotof good sex. I’m happy.”
Cass buries his face in his hands, exasperated.“Ez.”
“What? He asked!” Ez’s lips twitch as she watches Roma show Desi how to do a cartwheel, much to JJ’s and Chester’s dismay. “And things are going really well, actually. We’re having a blast working through some older spell books and advanced techniques together—ones that would be too dangerous for a solo spellcaster—and we’re still tinkering with human-magic rifts, too.” She nods at Obie. “Plus, we’re fussing with that counterspell for Kyle’s idiot friend. It’s been a lot of trial and error to figure out what mistake he could’ve introduced during the pre-casting process, but I think we’re getting close. Maybe another week or so?”
“Take your time,” Obie assures her. “We really appreciate your help.”
“Andweappreciate the distraction.” Ez raises her eyebrows at Cass. “How about you, Cass? Anything new with your little slice of domesticity?”
“Well, I’m going to need both of you to be in the Courtyard on September 22 at five forty-five p.m. sharp,” Cass says breezily. “Because I’m going to ask JJ to marry me at six.”
Ez promptly chokes on her drink. Obie thumps her on the back a few times, gaping at Cass. “I’m sorry. That’s when you’rewhat?”
“You’re going to—!” Ez begins, her voice loud and excited, before Cass slices a hand across his throat in a “please shut up” motion. Impatiently, she snaps a soundproofing spell into place. “You’re going to propose? You’re going to proposein three weeks?”
Cass looks pleased. “Yep. And it’s the daybeforeour sixth-month anniversary, so I’m pretty sure JJ won’t even suspect it. Desi, either. Iwant to surprise both of them.” His smile softens. “And I want it to be a surprise for Roma, too, but I figured you two should know in advance. Just in case you need to talk me down from a panic attack.”
“Can I—?” Suddenly, Obie’s throat feels dry. “Can I bring Kyle?”
“If he wants to come, then sure,” Cass says, his eyes straying back across the shore. When Obie follows his gaze, it’s to see Desi sitting happily on Chester’s shoulders while Roma braids her hair and JJ shows Chester something on his phone. “Actually, I think JJ would really like that—he and Kyle seemed to hit it off pretty well. And JJ doesn’t have a huge support system outside of our group, so having other humans around is good for him.”
There’s a tinge of sadness in his voice. Obie’s heart twists. “They won’t need the glamours forever, Cass,” he says quietly. “We’ll take down the Sanctum and the Chain, and we’ll make Redwater safe for them again. And then JJ, Roma,andDesi can have all the friends they ever wanted.”
Including some old friends they won’t expect. Obie takes a deep breath, trying to quell the sudden swirl of emotions in his chest.
Chester will be so happy to watch Cass propose to JJ. So happy to see his oldest friend get engaged, so happy to share that experience with him?—
Even if he can’t tell JJ who he really is, Obie knows they’ll both appreciate it. And someday, theycantell JJ that his best friend was right there at the proposal with the rest of them.
Obie can’t wait for that day to come.
Ez leans forward conspiratorially. “So how are you going to pop the question?”
“It’s asurprise,”Cass insists, his eyes narrowing. “I’m only even telling you two bozos to make sure you’re there. Everything else will be revealed at six p.m. on the twenty-second.”
Obie rolls his eyes. “All right, weirdo. And you and JJ have already talked about marriage?”
