Kiss and Spell (Enchanted, Inc.) - By Shanna Swendson Page 0,2

paperwork waiting for me that I wish I could magic away. It’s strange how many people are just not showing up to work these days. Same time tomorrow?”

“Yeah.” I shot him a grin over my shoulder as I headed out of the room. “And you never know who’ll show up.”

Owen joined me on the way out, and as soon as we were out of earshot of the schoolroom, he said, “Although that illusion was nice work, I like what’s behind it a lot better.”

“Oh, you charmer,” I teased, though inwardly I really was quite pleased. It had taken me a long time to get used to the idea that a guy as movie-star handsome as Owen—and a powerful wizard on top of that—was into me, when I’d always thought of myself as ordinary in a forgettable way. Owen was a certified genius, so it was unlikely that he was wrong. I still wouldn’t turn heads on the street unless I put on my lingerie-model illusion, but I didn’t need to if Owen liked what he saw.

“Rod’s right, you really are a natural. I don’t know if you’re picking magic up so quickly because you’ve been around us enough to absorb some things or if you inherited more from your grandmother than you realized, but your progress is rather astonishing. You’ve already mastered the basics, and soon we should be able to figure out where your particular talents lie.”

“Not that it’ll do me much good if no one can know I have talents,” I grumbled.

“The further we get from that incident, the less likely it will be for people to suspect your new powers might also mean my powers are back.”

That perked me up. “How much longer, do you think?”

“I don’t know. A month or two, maybe? By the time we figure out your strengths and start specializing your training, certainly.”

“So, maybe a few more months in marketing?”

“Let’s say the first of next year.”

It was October, so I thought I could survive that long. “Do you have any idea what my strengths might be yet?”

“It’s hard to tell from the basics. You do seem to be pretty analytical with the spells, so you might be able to help me in Research and Development.”

“I think I could cope with that. And I happen to be on the boss’s good side.” I smiled at him. “In fact, I think I might already have him wrapped around my little finger.” I wasn’t normally a flirt, even with my boyfriend, but having magical powers had done wonders for my confidence levels. I hadn’t realized how unequal I’d felt in this company and with Owen. My previous magical immunity had been special and valuable, but being magical was something else entirely. Now I felt powerful. Being able to make myself look like a lingerie model had somehow made me feel like one, even when I wasn’t using the illusion.

“Since I’m not your boss yet, would it be improper for me to invite you over to dinner tonight?”

“Considering that my grandmother is cooking it, I think it counts more as a family thing. Is she driving you crazy yet?”

“No, not at all. It just feels weird for me to come home to a home-cooked meal when it’s your grandmother doing the cooking.”

“I’m sure she won’t be around much longer. Just be sure to remind her how well my lessons are going so she’ll know she doesn’t have to make sure I learn to use my powers the right way.”

We reached the point where we had to go our separate ways to return to our respective offices. “Okay, then, I’ll see you after work,” he said, taking my hand for a quick squeeze before heading off.

I walked with a jaunty spring in my step back to my office, feeling like I should have a perky pop tune following me on the soundtrack. Not too long ago, I’d hated my job and had despaired of ever finding my place in the company. Now I was having a blast learning to do magic.

True, I still hated my job, but that job was now a cover story, so it was less painful to face. I didn’t know where my eventual place would be, but still, magic! That made it a lot easier to get out of bed in the morning.

I bounced into my office and asked, “Were there any messages for me?”

My assistant, Perdita, looked me up and down, smirking ever so slightly. Only then did I realize that returning to