Page 13 of Love Spell

“Because we’re here with a group?”

Were they?The boys didn’t care as long as the booze kept flowing.

“What’s your favourite museum in the city?”Timo asked.

“Oh, the Museum of London maybe?No, the Sloane — weird place.Historical bits and bobs exemplified.”

“I’ve never been.Care to show me around on Saturday?”

Timo wondered if they called that the reindeer-in-the-headlights look in Alaska.

Noah took another drink.Nice that he was getting into the spirit of the thing at last.If he drained that, surely he would just fess up and express his own attraction to Timo and there’d be no more of this treading-lightly bullshit.

“Are —?Like … okay …” Noah scratched absently at his throat as he gazed along glasses behind the bar.“What are we talking about?”

“Enjoyable local activities?”

“No, I mean, what are we really talking about?”

So alcohol was giving the kid a “smart mouth,” as they said on American sitcoms?No chance he’d have said that half an hour ago.Was he a cheeky drunk?Damn, Timo hoped so — sweating just thinking about it.

Timo ran one fingertip around the rim of his glass.“What do you want to be talking about, Noah?”

“Work.”

Well, that had backfired.

Timo arched a brow.

“Haven’t we been talking about work?”Noah asked.“Because, if I could stay on — you do know I want to stay, right?It’s just the visa situation.In October I’m done here without a work sponsor.I didn’t think you were interested, but if you are it’s something we need to start working on now, and probably with an attorney.Not last-minute.”Another drink.He’d drained more than half his glass and a gut-punch of rum.“I know I’ve just started, but I really feel like I could fit in here and make a go of this.Your team is incredible — even the assholes among them.Shit, sorry, wow …” He rubbed his brow with the back of one wrist.“Sorry.”

“Noah?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you run?”

“Run?”

“Exercise?We could go for a run before the museum on Saturday.Any idea if they open at nine or ten?”

“You know what?I better go.This is not … yeah.”Noah downed the rest of the hurricane like a milkshake.“Thanks for the drinks and whatever this has been.See you in the morning.”He stood, one hand on the bar.

“Tomorrow’s not Saturday.”

“At work.I’ll see you tomorrow at work.”

“Right.”

Noah leaned into his face.“BecauseI work for you.So whatever you’re doing, hitting on the juniors, please stop.”

“Have I made you uncomfortable?”

“Yes!”

“That wasn’t my intention.I usually mean it when I do that.”

“Don’t I know it.”