“Yeah, but I moved to Virginia for college and never left.”
“You went to Uni?”
“Yeah, got a generic business degree.Never gonna use it since I intend to be at SPELL for a while.”
“Say, how do you get paid?It’s not like we can be part of mortal payroll or something.”
Luther chuckles and sips his drink.“I’m not sure the specifics, but we get a stipend.”
“Your taxes claim that you fight magical crime?”
“No.”We share a laugh.“They state that we work a generic industry job.It’s a cover so we can all get some money, and some world governments know about the magical community.We keep them safe, they give us funds, and the rest of the mortals remain none the wiser.”
“Wow.Not even sorcery can permanently trounce the evils of capitalism.”
Luther laughs.“Here, here.”After another bite, a small smudge of mayo drips down his chin.I wipe it off with my thumb and slowly lick it off, all while maintaining eye contact.
His hungry, flustered look is priceless.After clearing his throat and looking away, he says, “So, other first date stuff.How about you?I know you grew up in London, but were stateside by the time we were in high school.”
“Yeah.I needed to reboot life after Vik disappeared when I was thirteen.”
His smile falls, and I instantly regret my brutal honesty.“Taz…”
“It’s fine,” I say, waving a hand through the air to dispel the awkwardness.“I mean, it’s not fine, but it’s not exactly a first date convo.”
He takes my hand.“You can talk to me about the heavy stuff.Not just the light stuff.That’s what a relationship is about.”
Affection blooms in my chest.Now that we’re not fighting, I find him to be charming in all the right ways.Luther keeps saying all the words that I want to hear.“Right.Well, after doing odd jobs around the states and meeting up with smaller wizard covens, I wrote some books.Then one day, I had a tarot reading that told me to buy the shop.And now you’re all caught up.”
“It’s wild how we’re both in Cosmo,” he says, sipping his drink.“This place must be a hub of mystical activity, because I didn’t even know that Lisbeth and other witches lived and worked here.I mean, Girish runs the portal in this city, but I stayed because of all the monster sightings nearby.And now you.”
“Huh,” I reply after a bite of my sandwich.“My tarot was right that this place would be important.Fate led me here.Ushere.”
Luther’s smile falls, and a shyness creeps over him.“I’m…glad we’re here, Taz.”
Chasing the moment, I pull him in for a light but sweet kiss.“I’m glad we can talk things out like adults.”
“And that we’re not fighting anymore.”
I grin and stare at him over my cup.“Yeah, but I think I’d let you wrestle me for a bit,” I purr.
A blush creeps over his light brown skin.He hides his face behind his drink and replies, “Is that a threat or a promise?”
My hand lands on his knee under the table.“Take me home, Lulu,” I murmur.“I’m down to go a few rounds with you.”
CHAPTER 13- LUTHER
“SO, THIS IS, uh, my place.”I clap my hands for no reason as we walk into my apartment.“It’s not much, but I’m alone here.”
“Oh, nice,” Taz replies, unbuttoning his suit jacket.
We enter the small living area-slash-kitchen.“There’s one bedroom, and um…” Self-consciousness crawls up my spine.Sure, he all but confirmed he wanted to jump my bones an hour ago back in Brew-Ha.But now that we’re in an intimate setting, the vibe feels different.
It’s always nerve-wracking showing someone your personal space for the first time, especially if you see them as more than just a friend.
“It’s like a bachelor-pad type of, um, deal,” I murmur.Taz continues to study the scattered papers on the couch, and I’m irritated that I left a bowl in the sink.“Sorry if it’s, like, a mess.I didn’t expect any company.”
He gives me a once-over with a neutral expression.“I like it.”
