“Nuh-uh, Lulu.”I walk behind the desk.“I gotta run the shop, do inventory, and play work catch-up.Besides, I wanna take my time looking good.I need another shower and to put on something nice.”
“Have it your way, Devries.”Luther gets to my desk and leans forward.I’m powerless to resist meeting him halfway, my mouth almost on his.“But for what it’s worth, I always think you’re beautiful.”
Cauldrons, that was smooth.My knees nearly buckle, but before I can kiss him, he hops back and strides away.Once he’s out of my shop, I let out a swoon like a lovestruck schoolboy.Luther and I have been teasing each other for years, and it seems that part isn’t going to change.
***
After retrieving our drinks, I saunter to the corner booth of the Brew-Ha, my favorite coffee and food spot in town.Between the kitschy witch-theming along the walls year-round and the plants hanging by the windows, it’s a comfy, cozy atmosphere.I suspect magic is in play, but there is no greater sorcery than good coffee.
And that’s what I have in hand as I arrive back at the table.Instead of sitting across from Luther, I decide to sit next to him on the couch against the wall.No one is sitting too close to us, so we can chat wizard business if we so choose.
“Anything wrong with the chair across from me?”Luther asks with a smirk.
“Relax.I’m not gonna get handsy here in public,” I reply, bumping my thigh against his.“I just like being close to you.Is that so wrong?”
His eyes flare with heat for a moment before he calms down.With his free hand, he gently takes mine and strokes the back of it.“Not at all.”His boyish grin was so rare when we were kids, but it’s all I can think about now.“Though I might not be able to refrain from getting handsy myself,” he murmurs.
The only way I can hide my amused and aroused smile is by sipping my decaf coffee.The heat gives me something to concentrate on in an attempt not to get hard.Why did I insist on taking things slow?We should be in my bed, shagging nonstop, not out in public talking.
“And here are your sandwiches,” the brunette woman says, placing our food on the table.She shoots Luther a look of recognition.“Hey, I know you.”
“Lisbeth, hi.”
“Luther.Son of the councilman!”She beams at him and puts her hands on her hips.When she looks at me, she must read my surprised expression.“Oh, hello.”
“Lisbeth is part of the Union,” Luther explains.
“Haven’t formally met you.I’m Taz.”
“Nice to meet you.Witch or wizard?”
I look around, squirming in discomfort; no one appears to be in earshot still.“I’m a wizard.New to the Union.”
“Just like us witches,” she remarks with a grin.
“I thought this place was magical.”I raise my cup.The owner being a witch certainly explains the name of the coffee shop.“Turns out your brew really is enchanted.”
“No, we save our magic for normal things, like turning unsuspecting men into toads.”She pauses for a heavy moment.“I’m kidding!”
We all laugh, and Lisbeth continues, “Luther trusts us.We did save all of the Union’s geo arcanum together.”
“That we did.How are Seb and Kai?”
“The chosen duo?Probably out fixing up their new house.I’m gonna need to find some witches to fill their vacancy in the coven.”
“Do you even need a coven anymore?You have access to solo magic,” Luther says.
“I suppose not.But it’s more of a family thing,” she explains, looking around at the café patrons.“Call me sentimental, but being surrounded by people you care for is kind of important.Community, you know?”
“For sure.”Luther’s words pull my attention.As I gaze into those chocolate eyes, I touch his hand under the table.
“Well, I’ve been bothering you for too long.I’ll let you boys get back to your meeting.”
“Not a meeting,” I reply.Without looking up, I give Luther’s hand another squeeze and say, “First date.”
“Ah!”Lisbeth throws us a knowing look before tapping her nose.“The best kind of meeting.You boys have a good evening.”With that, she’s gone, and we proceed to eat our sandwiches.
“So,” I say, after two bites.“First date stuff.I know you grew up in New York.”
