He grinned at her and gave a shrug. "Hey, what else was I supposed to do?"

Madam Puddifoot arrived at that moment and Fabian ordered the Valentine's Day special before turning back to Marni, his hands reaching to take both of hers as he leaned over the small table and found her lips. She was so uncomplicated, so easy to just be around.

Nothing like Kibby who was always being dramatic about something or other and blaming him for everything from the way her hair frizzed to the way Hudson would glare at her in class when she messed up a potion. No, Marni was a grownup. Not some mere spit of a child. She was, rather, a mature witch. Someone who was past games and manipulations.

Or so he led himself to believe.

"So, shall I broach the question myself then?" he asked.