Page 46 of Spies without a Face
To lighten the awkward moment, I said, “At least, the dessert ended up on my lap this time.”
She gave me a quizzical look before nodding. “Ah, right. The dessert tray.” She smiled.
Then I groaned silently. Why would I remind her of another disastrous dessert? Whenever we went out together, something mortifying happened. She might think we were cursed.
CHAPTER17
AUSTIN
Every time I seemed to make progress with Pandora, something happened—usually something ridiculous—that set me back. The old one step forward two steps back adage. If I kept moving in this direction, I’d be all the way back to Colorado by the time I stopped walking.
I wasn’t about to give up yet.
She liked Blondie, and they were playing in Boston in a few nights. Better still, The Damned was playing with them. I thought about surprising her at work with tickets.
That might be too pushy, considering I lived next door and could just wait for her to come home. This mate business was tricky. It made me impulsive and impatient. I wanted to be around Pandora and didn’t want to wait to do so.
Since I’d be starting the new job next week, I might as well make the most of my free time. I walked around the city, venturing into some of the tourist attractions. Sure, I was acting like a tourist, but I was new here. And I want to see the sites.
I started at the Witch History Museum and spent some time there trying to understand the madness that had led to the hysteria. Then I walked outside and visited the memorials for those hung in the witch trials. I thought about Pandora getting riled up when we spoke about this. I didn’t blame her. What a tragic past and horrible way to treat those poor people. And why? Intolerance and ignorance.
After exploring the area for another hour, I stopped by a witch-themed café for lunch break. Then I continued learning about the town in the modern day with a walking tour from one of the witch stores in the afternoon. I’d been interested in how open witches were about living in Salem, but ever since my bear had declared one our mate, I was even more intrigued about one beguiling witch in particular.
As I perused along the waterfront, glancing out all the boats that dotted the harbor, my phone buzzed. It was Lucas.
Hey, how’s it going man? He texted.
Just wandering around town.
Come on over if you’re not busy. We’re just hanging around playing video games.
I didn’t know who “we” were but didn’t know many in this town and appreciated the invite. Although, I didn’t play video games much, I needed something to fill my time other than itching out of my skin to go to Pandora.
Sounds good.
His house was within walking distance, a long walk, but it would help kill time. That was better than being overeager and jumping into a taxi.
The stroll was a good idea. I left the downtown area and explored more of the residential areas of Salem. Lucas’s house stood out. It was the only purple one in the area and with a turret on one side. The curtains were all drawn although the sun was out.
I knocked on the black door, and Lucas opened it, greeting me with a wide smile. “Hey man, come on in.” His blond hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and he wore a Metallica Ride the Lightning T-shirt.
A guy with dark hair and a trimmed beard wearing a gray and blue plaid shirt sat on the couch. He watched the TV, which playedMonty Python and the Holy Grail. A character mocked “Brave Sir Robin” as he sang about him. It looked like video games were over, which was fine by me.
“Great movie,” I said.
Lucas slapped my arm and gave me a broad smile. “I knew I liked you.” He gestured to the guy with the beard. “This is Sebastian. He used to be my roommate but bailed on me.”
Sebastian said, “My new roommate is far more tolerable—and much easier on the eyes.”
“Touché,” Lucas said. He turned to me. “Sebastian’s married to Gianna, who you met at Danger Zone.”
I nodded. “Ah, right. Yes, I remember her.” She was tall and quite stunning. Should I bring up the clear setup with Pandora the other night? Not that I was complaining as I was able to spend time alone with her during the drive home.
Sebastian stood and walked over. “How are you doing, Austin?”
His handshake was firm, and I scented the wolf in him.
Lucas confirmed it. “Sebastian is a wolf shifter. You know I’m half dragon.” He motioned to me. “And with you being half bear, we have a funky party crew here. He did a little dance kicking his legs out to each side as he chanted, “Dragons and wolves and bears, oh my.”
