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‘Thanks again.’

* * *

‘You bought me flowers?’ Amrita’s eyes sparkled when she opened the door.

‘Yes, I did. I hope you like them.’

‘They’re lovely. Thank you. I can’t remember the last time someone bought me flowers this nice.’

‘Clearly it’s been too long then.’ He felt a flush of warmth – something akin to pride – knowing her smile was because of him.

‘Please don’t think me rude’ – her eyes dipped away from his for a couple of seconds – ‘but, Jamie, what do these mean?’

‘Do they have to mean something?’

‘I think flowers usually do. An apology, congratulations, commiserations, thanks, or… they might speak towards certain intentions.’

Lily-Ann’s words hit him again. Maybe she was right, and he did have feelings for Amrita. She was beautiful, fiery, passionate and challenging – and then there was whatever she did to his magic. But, as much as she teased and laughed with him – and had kissed him on the cheek – she hadn’t really given him any sign that she might be interested in anything more than the friendship they’d agreed to. He panicked. ‘Can they just mean that I wanted to buy you flowers?’

She hesitated for a few moments before reaching out to take them. ‘Thank you, they’re beautiful.’ She buried her nose in them, inhaling deeply. ‘Do you want to come in? I should put these in water quickly before we go.’

Her door opened into a big, open-plan living area where the kitchen, dining room and living space flowed seamlessly together. For a modern city building, it wasn’t bad – if slightly generic. But if the shell of the apartment was generic, Amrita’s décor was anything but. She’d made it warm, cosy and inviting – balancing bold patterns and bright colours with heavy woods, rich fabrics and comfy furnishings. Her kitchen area was tiny, but clearly well-used – with bright pots and pans hanging above the oven, and spice gently fragrancing the air. Photos he itched to have a better look at hung on the walls and leaned up against books.

‘Your place is lovely.’

‘Thank you.’ She shuffled the flowers gently into a vase. ‘It’s not much, but it’s home.’

‘It seems very you.’

‘What a lovely thing to say.’ She smiled. ‘Shall we go?’

‘After you.’ He waited for her to zip up her boots, then held open the door.

* * *

It was the cutesiest cinema Amrita had ever been in. She wasn’t sure why she was surprised – so much of Hudsbury seemed olde-worlde, twee and charming – but this was a whole other level. The tiny lobby – decorated in antique wood and gilt that sparkled under a chandelier that sent light flickering over the space like tiny fireflies – was reassuringly busy with other people clutching tickets and popcorn.

Jamie paused by two heavy gilt frames displaying what appeared to be their movie choices for the night. ‘I’m so sorry.’ Jamie glared at the posters like they had personally offended him.

‘Maybe you read the listings for the wrong day…’

‘I really didn’t.’

‘Then they must have changed the films.’

‘From the ones advertised yesterday? Doesn’t seem too likely.’ He still glared at the posters.

‘It’s one or the other.’ Amrita giggled. ‘Unless you think someone’s playing tricks on us… or you believe in magic.’

‘Do you?’ He gave her an odd look that seemed part curious and part hopeful.

‘Think someone could be playing tricks? Maybe.’ She shrugged.

‘No, I meant do you… do you believe in magic?’

‘No. I don’t. Not any more.’ That had been ruined for her long ago. She gave herself a mental shake and changed the subject. ‘So, our choices seem to be this…’ She pointed to one of the posters.

‘That definitely looks like the slushy romantic-type movie that we agreed to avoid. And the other option…’