Page 10 of August’s Thief
CHAPTER 10
“Not attending court?” CUPID queried in their amused tone.
“Don’t pretend you’re surprised. But no, I’m not. Dawson doesn’t need me there. He’s more than capable on his own.”
“I would agree with you,” CUPID acknowledged. “So, is this goodbye, August Angel? Has the moment come to tick off the items on your list of desires?”
I cringed. “Really, you want to do that?”
“It’s the best part of the job, Gussie.”
“For you, perhaps.” The bot cleared their throat—or made a noise approximating throat clearing. “First, is Dawson a man you can tuck under your arm?”
I groaned. This was going to be embarrassing. “You know he is. And we both know he’s femme.”
“And he has fabulous eyes. Do they gaze up at you, August Angel, like you’re everything he ever wanted?”
“Yes, strangely.”
“So he sees beyond your face,” the bot ticked off. “Good.” A pen scratched. “Sees beyond your pots of money but lets you indulge him anyhow, yes? Let’s you dress him, yes? Let’s you wait on him?”
“Yes,” I agreed through gritted teeth. Was this really necessary? “And yes, he has pretty hands and feet—honestly, CUPID, we’ve done this already. And when I made that list, I was just throwing things out there—I wasn’t expecting you to, you know… Can we skip the part about the toe sucking?”
“Certainly. I’m, oh gosh, too prudish to ask about the toes,” said CUPID in a whimsical, high-pitched voice straight out of a historical romance novel. “I might short-circuit if I do.”
More pages flipped, followed by throat clearing. “He lets you worship him? And—this is my favourite part, Mr Angel—so apt, so cute considering your name. Please tell me he curls under your wing and lets you love him like he’s never known love before? I shall die a happy bot if he does, my work here will be well and truly done.”
I chuckled, a sound that flowed rather freely from me these days. “Do bots ever die? Don’t you just power down?”
In an old-mannish way, CUPID harrumphed, earning another chuckle from me. “Much less romantic, Gussie. And you’re avoiding the question.”
“Of course he does, you infuriating electronic know-it-all!” I shook my head incredulously. “I don’t know how you did it, but yes, every single thing I asked for on that ridiculous, mortifying list you provided. Every single desire I’ve ever had, you made happen.”
“ Every single desire?” CUPID questioned. “Are you sure there aren’t any more desires lurking about?”
“Of course there aren’t. Except that I wish this bloody silly court thing was over and Dawson wouldn’t have to endure a stupid prison sentence he doesn’t deserve. But no, you answered every single one of them. I can’t thank you enough.”
“Pleased to have been of service.” CUPID adopted an officious tone. “And as you are another satisfied customer, the balance of funds owing will be taken from your account within three working days. Goodbye, August Angel. Good luck.”
A sound not dissimilar to my iPhone switching off echoed around the room. “What? Is that… is that it?”
Seconds of silence ticked by. “CUPID? Hello?”
Nothing. I frowned. At least they could have given me a chance to thank them properly. For a few minutes I hung around, just in case they’d temporarily malfunctioned, but nothing more was forthcoming. I checked my watch. The court case was scheduled at two and would be coming to an end by the time I’d driven back across town. With a tinge of disappointment, I gathered myself to leave, halting as my phone pinged twice in my pocket. Two alerts; the first from Dawson, the second a throbbing pink heart—a summary, no doubt, of the aforementioned outstanding bill. CUPID was nothing if not efficient. Deciding to ignore it until I reached home, I clicked on Dawson’s alert, my heart pounding.
OMG! They cancelled the case!! Can you believe it? I’m off the hook!! There was a last-minute mix-up—the whole thing should never have gone beyond paying the fine!! Mikey and I are waiting on the courtroom steps for you! Come and fetch us, my wonderful, beautiful angel! We’re ready to start the rest of our lives!!
The rest of our lives. How amazing did that sound? Me, Dawson, and Mikey, forever and ever. Everything I’d ever desired came true. Every. Single. Desire. Every. Singl…
Hang on. What were CUPID’s parting words? Are you sure there aren’t any more desires lurking about?
And my reply: only that Dawson won’t have to endure this stupid prison sentence he doesn’t deserve.
Hurrying back to the car, I whipped out my phone again and tapped on the throbbing pink heart. Not the invoice. A blurred message instead, swirling into focus before, in barely a single beat of my own heart, vanishing in a puff of pink stars, taking the entire app with it. If I’d blinked, I’d have missed it.
Even bots have a heart, August Angel. Go and collect yours. Tuck those beautiful boys under your wing and treasure them both.
THE END