Page 66 of Love Spell

“My birthday’s not until … uh?”

“Monday.But who wants to wait for a Monday to celebrate?It’s October; it’s the weekend; it’s close enough.I was going to take you to dinner but this place already smells better than anywhere on the list.I’d no idea you were such a good cook.Man of many talents.”

“You didn’t have to bring gifts.And I can’t cook.I have two standbys: this and spaghetti and meatballs.”

“And omelettes.”

“Oh, yeah.I can make omelettes.But I learned that on YouTube.”

“That doesn’t make them any less delicious.”Timo pushed him against the counter.“Is it ready now or do we have a spare minute?”

“No, it’s ready.I’ll just test the rice.”He had to speak around Timo’s mouth, then squeeze away to get the rice spoon.“How do you know my birthday?”

“I happen to have a scan of your passport.”

“Oh yeah … How did it go?”

Timo shrugged.“Mixed.I’ll tell you about it.Dinner first.”

“No, tell me.Wash your hands.We can eat right now.What’d she say?”

Timo was laughing at him.“I love you when you’re impatient.Why don’t you open your gift?I’ll dish this up.”

“Hot sauce and limes still in the fridge.”Noah lifted the bag down to a barstool to pluck out tissue paper.“You basically just bought me a mattress.And that was after a weekend getaway.”

“This is practical.”Timo dried his hands, still grinning.

It was a backpack: a robust grey pack for trail or travel, far nicer than any piece of luggage Noah had ever owned.

“Because you found out I’ll be leaving for the States before the month’s out?”Noah said wryly, though he couldn’t help admiring the pack.

“Because you’ll need it on the grand tour.If you will insist on wearing a backpack, you can at least wear one that didn’t come from a school jumble sale and will actually fit and be kind to your back.”

“I’ve never been that ambitious about my travel gear.”

“Good travel gear turns travel from an ordeal to a pleasure.”Timo gave him a pointed look.“Sit.”

Noah sat with his bag and the vase moved to the table while Timo brought lime wedges and hot sauce, then their two heaped plates.

“Thank you.I love it, but I wish you wouldn’t keep getting me stuff.It’s too much.”

“It’s your birthday.”Timo seemed surprised.

Noah didn’t know how to explain that was a moot point, that it was the whole dynamic that was making him increasingly uneasy.But it was a great bag, and Timo was happy about it, so it shouldn’t be a problem for Noah either.

Timo asked about the weekend as they started to eat, what about biking?But Noah stopped him.

“You’ve got to tell me what the attorney said.I’ve been waiting all day.Can we get the work visa?”

“Ah.”Timo made a production of finishing chewing his bite of beef and snow pea.“Turns out, no, that’s rather unlikely under current circumstances.”

“Rather unlikely?As in …?”

“As in no.”Timo looked up from his plate to meet Noah’s eyes across the table.“As in, we’re not getting you a work visa anytime soon.Your time really is up.”

Feeling kicked, Noah simply stared at him, his own fork on the table, deflated and stung that Timo didn’t seem in the least bothered by the news.

“There’s nothing she can do?”Noah’s voice came out breathless.