Sometimes love is the strongest magic of all.
After a failed move to California, Oz returns home to Minnesota. He gets a job at a witchery shop owned by his ex Rhys, with whom he might still be in love. Rhys’s homemade love potions are the most popular item in his shop but even he might need the extra jolt; he’s just shown the door to his unreliable lover Kip. Kip is determined to win Rhys over again and his own attempts at love magic are weak, at best, but Rhys’s feelings for Oz are hindering Kip’s efforts. Both Oz and Rhys are keen on a reconciliation but neither feel ready to take that first step to make it happen. Do they need a small kick from one of Rhys’s potions or is real love strong enough to develop without the help of witchery?
Rhys took off his glove and flexed his fingers in the frigid night air. A few sparks arced along his fingertips. “I can’t tell you how shocked I was to see you standing outside the door the day you applied.”
“Imagine my surprise, although I never could resist the allure of a HELP WANTED sign during a job search.”
Rhys continued to play with the electricity on his fingers. “I can think of worse ways exes have snuck back into my life.”
Oz wrapped his arms around himself a bit tighter. “Should we even be down here? I thought the park was closed for the night.”
“We’re okay. A friend of a friend knows and they’re keeping a trained yet blissfully ignorant eye on us.”
“So, technically we aren’t trespassing.”
The electricity turned into a sphere, which Rhys spun on his fingertip like a basketball trick. “Oz, we’re fine. Nobody’s going to swoop down on us by helicopter and take us to County.”
“Sorry, Rhys, but I’d much rather not repeat the times I’d been caught in a city park after hours.”
Rhys released the sphere into the ground. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. We’re possibly in a city park after hours illegally and I’m only freezing my tuchus off, so I might be just a little confused right now.”
“I only brought you down here because it’s after midnight and today’s Yule, the first day of winter. I wanted to do something with you to celebrate it but you’ll probably be at your parents’ place at the time of the solstice. I mean, I thought you’d appreciate the symbolism. First day of winter, the return of the light.”
Oz stopped walking. “Oh, jeez, Rhys. I’m sorry. You know I’m usually much sharper than this but I’ve just been blindsided by everything.”
“I thought it’d be a nice surprise for our second first date.”
“And all the times you came to temple with me.”
“I’m really sorry, Oz.”
Oz held out his hand to Rhys. “And so am I, Rhys. Blessed Yule.”
“Blessed Yule, Oz.” Rhys took Oz’s hand and they continued to walk.
