Chapter 14

Sera sat at her usual table in The Lone Wolf Cafe, nursing a steaming mug of coffee and poring over her festival notes, trying not to think of the previous night. It had been a week since her accident, and while her ribs ached a little, she was itching to get back to work. The festival wouldn't plan itself, after all.

She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't notice the bell above the door chime or the sound of footsteps approaching her table. It wasn't until a voice she'd been waiting for called her name that she looked up, startled.

"Hey, witchy witch."

Lark stood before her, a grin on his face and a gleam in his eye. He was dressed casually, in jeans and a fitted T-shirt that hugged his lean frame in all the right places. Her heart skipped a beat, a reaction that was becoming all too common in his presence. She really wanted to get him naked all over again. She chastised herself for turning into one of those wanton women, but Lark brought out a side of her she didn't know existed. She had a hard time stopping herself from replaying their night of hot sex and the way he'd kissed her and held her after.

"Lark," she said, setting down her pen and smiling wide. "What are you up to?"

Lark's grin widened as he slid into the seat across from her. "I have a surprise for you," he said, his voice brimming with excitement. "There's a rare plant and flower botanical exhibit opening today in Silverton. I thought we could go, take a break from all this festival planning."

Sera blinked, surprise momentarily rendering her speechless. A rare plant and flower botanical exhibit? He really had gotten to know her favorite things well. The idea was tempting, especially to spend time with her handsome dragon, but...

"I don't know," she said, hesitation creeping into her voice. Was she spending too much time with him? Was this a relationship? "I really should get back to work. The festival is only a few weeks away, and there's still so much to do."

Lark's expression softened, his hand reaching across the table to cover hers. "Sera," he said gently. "You've been working nonstop. Even after the accident, I had to harass you to keep you from digging into your notes. You need a break."

Sera opened her mouth to protest, but before she could speak, a chorus of voices chimed in from behind her.

"He's right, you know," Celeste said, appearing at Sera's elbow with a knowing smile. "You've been pushing yourself too hard. A day off will do you good. Some plants, flowers, a good-looking guy…"

Luna nodded, her violet eyes twinkling. "And what better way to spend it than with a handsome dragon by your side?"

She glanced at Lark, who was looking at her with a mixture of amusement and affection. If they only knew the things that handsome dragon had done to her already.

Elsie, who had been wiping down the counter, threw her towel over her shoulder and sauntered over. "Lark, my boy," she said, her voice filled with maternal pride, "I must say, you're doing a fine job romancing our Sera. A botanical exhibit. How thoughtful."

Sera's blush deepened, mortification warring with a strange flutter of pleasure in her chest. Lark was trying to romance her? So this really was a relationship. The thought sent a thrill down her spine even as it terrified her. They'd taken their relationship to a level she hadn't expected when it got physical, but she didn't know if he was looking for something long-term with her. This was a sign that gave her hope. Hope she wasn't sure she was ready for.

Lark, for his part, looked slightly abashed, his cheeks turning a fetching shade of pink. "I just thought it would be nice," he mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sera works so hard. She deserves a day of beauty and relaxation."

Sera's heart melted, her reservations crumbling in the face of Lark's earnest affection. She took a deep breath, then nodded, a slow smile spreading across her face.

"Okay," she said softly. "Let's go to the exhibit."

Lark's face lit up, his grin returning in full force. "Really?"

Sera laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "Really. You're right. I do need a break. And I can't think of anyone I'd rather spend it with than you."

The words were out before she could stop them, but Sera found she didn't regret them. Not when Lark was looking at her like that, his eyes shining with a warmth that made her feel like the most precious thing in the world. She might not know what love looked like, but she could almost bet that what she felt for him was as close as you got.

As they stood to leave, Celeste, Luna, and Elsie exchanged knowing looks, their smiles wide and approving.

"Have fun, you two," Celeste called, her voice filled with affectionate teasing. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Luna snorted. "That doesn't narrow it down much," she muttered, earning a playful swat from Celeste.

Elsie just beamed, her eyes misty with emotion. "Ah, young love," she sighed. "Is there anything more beautiful?"

Sera ducked her head, embarrassment and pleasure warring in her chest. As Lark's hand found hers, his fingers twining with hers, she couldn't help but agree.

Maybe there was something to be said for taking a break, for letting go and allowing herself to be romanced. She'd never truly let herself open up emotionally to any man in the past. What was it about Lark that pulled at her heartstrings and made her want to share her deepest parts with him?

Sera couldn't helpbut smile as Lark led her through the entrance of the botanical exhibit, his hand warm and solid in hers. The air was thick with the heady scent of a thousand blooms, a riot of color and texture that took her breath away.

"Wow," she murmured, her eyes wide with wonder. "This is incredible."

Lark grinned, his chest puffing out with pride. "I told you it would be worth it," he said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "And just think, you almost missed out on all this beauty because you wanted to work."

Sera laughed, bumping her shoulder against his. "Okay, okay, you were right. I admit it. Sometimes spontaneity can be a good thing."

Lark's grin turned sly, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Only sometimes?"

Sera rolled her eyes, but she couldn't suppress her smile. "Don't push your luck, dragon boy."

He pulled her into his arms and gave her a quick kiss. "I'd say your spontaneity last night was perfect."

Oh, boy.

They wandered through the exhibit, marveling at the exotic blooms and lush foliage. Sera found herself lost in the beauty of it all, her worries about the festival fading into the background.

As they paused in front of a particularly stunning display of orchids, Lark turned to her, his expression serious. "Sera," he said softly, "I want you to know how much I admire you."

Sera blinked, surprise coloring her features. "Admire me? Why?"

Lark smiled, his hand coming up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Your focus, your attention to detail, your organizational skills... they're impressive. Without you, this festival would be a chaotic mess. You keep us all on track and make sure everything is running smoothly. It's amazing."

Sera felt her cheeks heat, a blush staining her skin. "I... thank you," she murmured. "I just want everything to be perfect."

Lark's finger under her chin gently tilted her face back up to his. "And it will be," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "Because we're a team, you and me. Your structure, my spontaneity... we balance each other out."

Sera's heart swelled, a warm, giddy feeling spreading through her chest. "You really think so?"

Lark grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I know so, Sera. The festival won't know what hit it."

Sera laughed, the sound bright and carefree. She leaned into Lark, resting her head on his shoulder as they continued their stroll through the exhibit.

"Thank you," she said softly after a moment of comfortable silence. "For this. For everything. I didn't realize how much I needed a day like this."

Lark pressed a gentle kiss to her temple, his arm tightening around her waist. "Everyone needs a break sometimes," he murmured. "Even super-organized witches who are too stubborn for their own good."

Sera snorted, poking him in the ribs. "Watch it, dragon. This stubborn witch can still turn you into a toad if you're not careful."

Lark threw back his head and laughed, the sound rich and warm. "Oh, I have no doubt about that," he chuckled. "But you won't. You like me too much."

Sera's heart skipped a beat, her eyes locking with his. "Yeah," she whispered, a slow smile spreading across her face. "I guess I do."

The moment stretched between them, charged with an energy that made Sera's skin tingle. She had the sudden, wild urge to kiss him, to lose herself in the warmth of his embrace.

But before she could act on it, a voice crackled over the loudspeaker, announcing the exhibit's imminent closing. The spell broken, Sera and Lark reluctantly untangled themselves, making their way toward the exit.

As they stepped out into the fading sunlight, Lark's hand found hers once more, his fingers twining with her own. "So," he said, his voice light and teasing, "does this mean you'll let me plan more spontaneous outings in the future?"

Sera laughed, shaking her head. "We'll see," she said. "But for now... thank you. This was exactly what I needed."

"Dinner tonight?"

"It's Ellie's baby shower, remember?"

"Oh yeah. I guess we should go to that."

"Yeah, they've all been so great. We can't let them down."

Lark grinned, lifting their joined hands to his lips and pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles. "You're right. Maybe you can come to my place after?"

"We'll see."

As they made their way back to Whispering Pines, Sera couldn't wipe the smile from her face. For the first time in a long time, she felt light, happy, free. And it was all thanks to the wonderful, infuriating, spontaneous dragon by her side.