“Good work up there,” I say to Girish.
He pushes up his glasses.“Chief and Max did all the interrogating.I mostly just used the internet to find the relic, and like, took notes.”
I want to ask him more about his premonition from the other day, but now doesn’t seem to be a good time.“Still, you’re a valued member of this team, Gear.”I touch his shoulder, and he smiles.
“I do enjoy relic research.But maybe with more fun history facts, and less violent warlocks.”
We share a chuckle as we approach Necia and Luther.“Well, all in a day’s work here at SPELL, right?”Necia says.
I smile at her and nod at Luther.“I’m just glad we’re getting answers.”
“And that we’re all safe,” Luther adds.My smile wavers; the relief on his face after he pulled me out of the inky darkness is a memory I won’t soon forget.He was so distraught that he kissed me.Was that all it was, despair and relief, no real attraction?
Why am I back to being a flustered teenager when it comes to my former frenemy?
“I’m just excited to be off for a couple of days,” Necia says.“A warm bath is calling my name.If cultists start attacking, do not hit me up.”She points at Girish and we all laugh.
“I was going to mention that the chief wants some field agents to check out a lead,” Girish remarks.“Cleo managed to find a string of shops where the gauntlet may be.Securing that…”
“Would be extremely beneficial.We could shut down the cult sooner rather than later,” Luther says.
“Hey, don’t look at me to do some digging, I’m taking the next few days off and kicking my feet up.”Necia lifts up her hands.
“It’s in Paris, France,” Girish says.
“Really?”Necia looks between Luther and me, and I suddenly feel exposed.Why is she wearing a look of mischief?“Why don’t you go with Luther, Taz?”
“What?”Luther and I say at the same time.
“It’s just a casual recon mission,” she says, looking away.
“I’m sure Max or Girish can come with me,” Luther says.His immediate dismissal is hurtful, for sure, but the flustered look on his face has me intrigued.
“Max is swamped,” Necia says.
“And you really don’t want me in the field,” Girish points out.“I might get a weird vision, and, you know…I’m better off on the phone.”
The three of them study me, and it’s suddenly so quiet in this boardroom.My heart pounds in my chest, and I shove my shaking hands into my trouser pockets.Meanwhile, Luther’s dark eyes seem to both beg me to say yes and no all at once.
Let’s go for the sexier answer, shall we?
“I think it’s a great idea.”I grin, and Luther’s smile falls.“Alright then, Agents, when do we head out?”
Armed with intel, magic, and more than a few euros, Luther and I walk through the streets of Paris.We’re both in our trench coats and business attire, with leather boots on the stony streets.No one in the bustling city filled with tourists pays any mind to the White guy and the Black guy walking with purpose.I consider it good fortune that intel narrowed our target location to near the Eiffel Tower.Such a romantic spot in the evening twilight…
This moment among the crowds is the perfect opportunity to subtly check Luther out.Now that we’ve kissed and he’s confirmed on some level that he’s into me, I can’t help seeing him in a different light.Sure, I’ve always thought he was handsome, but I was a hormonal teenager.I certainly didn’t have the confidence to acknowledge how sexy I thought he was.He was my schooltime foe, and I didn’t want to reveal how gay I was back then.
Was all that teasing actually just subconscious flirting?
He glances at me, and I grin.“What’s up?”he asks.
“Nothing.Just thinking about…”How your caramel-colored eyes are filled with warmth and soul.“Paris.”
“It’s a busy city,” he replies.
“You ever been?”
“No, actually.”
