Maybe It's Magic

Chapter 16

Jake pulled back. "What do you mean liar?"

Molly plucked the necklace away from her chest. "We both know these beads didn't come from Patience. They didn't come from some magic crystal mine, for that matter. So give, already."

"That's craz..." He didn't bother finishing. The jig was up. "Okay, Fine. How did you know?"

She pulled back, tracing a finger over his eyebrows. "I'm super insightful, possibly even psychic. Jake, there are things I've never told you about my past." She broke into a laugh at his wide-eyed look. "No, you doof! It was the beads. They were obviously plastic. There was a seam around each one, they weren't cool like stone, there were no cloudy markings on them..."

"Jesus! What are you, a detective?"

"Well, I maybe also saw them on Juliet's table and she said they were plastic, high quality plastic, though." She snorted.

"Well, I thought they would pass, at least until—"

"Why?" she cut in.

He shrugged. "I guess I never paid much attention to jewelry. I thought these beads were as good any other--"

"Why the act, Jake?" she clarified.

He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the couch. "You said you couldn't say no again and I thought that maybe, if you were there and I was there and the crystals were there, then we could see about that some more."

"Okay, but--"

"But then I couldn't find the crystals and I figured as long as it looked close enough, then..." He opened his eyes, but couldn't quite meet hers. "I guess I wasn't sure you'd go along if it was just me."

"Just you?"

"Yeah. Just me. Stupid, nervous, weirdo me." He shook his head. "Crystal me was... Well, he was kind of an asshole. But he could do things and say things that are all confident, things I can't do when I'm actual me because it's all too scary and I can't even get your shirt off and I'm so afraid you'll laugh at me and—"

She did laugh, then.

"Like now, apparently," he groaned, closing his eyes again.

"No, Jake. Look at me." He felt her hands on either side of his face. "I don't want to say no to this."

He opened his eyes and stared at her, doubtful. "Even now?"

"Nope. Want to know why?" She was smiling, staring at his lips.

He kind of didn't, not if this was working, but he had to guess. "Because the last two times kind of wore you down to the idea?"

"The last two times I was  kind of afraid it wasn't really you wanting me." She smiled and leaned in to quickly peck his lips. "Definitely still wanted you, though. As for this time, I think I want you more. I mean, it's extra cute, you putting on this stupid act, all for me." She smiled wider and ran her hands down his chest, then up his sides.

He wasn't a fan of the "stupid act" part, but the rest sounded nice. "So you want me, even without..."

"Even more, you big goof. I prefer Actual Jake to Crystal Jake."

His lower anatomy caught on before his brain caught up, then he gave her what he was pretty sure was a goofy grin, though he couldn't help it. "So you still want to--" 

"I still really want to."

He wasn't sure how to just accept this. It felt too damned good to be real. He leaned in, then froze. "You don't think we're moving too fast or anything?"