Page 2 of Love Spell

Timo dawdled with hors d’oeuvres, failing to eavesdrop as people, including the man in black and his confused friend, kept circulating through the sunny garden.Anyone could be forgiven for being surprised to discover such a glorious, blooming, sprawling garden venue emerge on hotel grounds in southeast London.

Timo had long grown used to the idea of London’s green spaces and these days took them for granted.He was spoiled for choice for his morning runs.Background pollution only made his lungs more resilient.

He was just wishing he could get his hands on another bite of the smoked salmon when he felt something hot trickle over his upper lip.

Instantly, Timo bent forward at the waist to save his flawless white shirtfront.He had the handkerchief out of his pocket in another second and against his nose, but it was a slender thing, not meant for heavy use.It would be soaked in a second and he’d end up with blood all over his fingers if he couldn’t find something more.

“Hey!”Timo caught the attention of a passing server with a tray.“Please bring me a paper towel, quick, or I’ll be bleeding all over the party.”

“Bleeding?Do you need a doctor —?”

“Paper towel!Not an ambulance!Just get a paper towel!”

The man dashed into the hotel, tray and all, back in less than a minute with a handful of rough paper towels while Timo leaned on a brick wall below deep green ivy, pinching the bridge of his nose with one hand, pressing the wadded handkerchief against his nose with the other.

Fortunately, the party guests were too busy to notice him, and Rhys and Lars were swarmed with well-wishers.They were just the sorts to come over and pester Timo about his wellbeing if they’d spotted him, despite Rhys knowing that nosebleeds were simply a part of life for Timo.

He turned his charm back on to assure the worried server that he was perfectly all right, then accepted a glass of water before the man would leave him alone.Not a bad bleed.Timo managed to get the thing to stop with another towel and a half soaked in scarlet, then cleaned up his fingers and face with water from the glass and the remaining two towels.His shirt?Still spotless.Of course he had a spare in the car — always have a spare, but best not to need it.

Although the bleeds seemed to last an age for Timo, only a matter of minutes had passed and he was pleased to discover the man in black was still there talking to his tattooed friend.

Patience was for second place, a.k.a.losers, but this time his inadvertent patience was paying off because the two started walking his way.As they closed the distance, about to pass Timo on the stone path, he bunched the blood-stained paper and silk into a ball in his fist and refocused on their conversation.They were talking about … ugh — gaming.

“You can’t just put a spell on anyone or anything to solve your problems,” Tattoos was saying.

“I never use spell work to solve my problems,” the man said.“I solve my problems.Magick can influence outcomes.That’s all.”

So they really were all into RPGs?Talking about their characters?

Still worth a shot.Wasn’t like Timo had to marry the guy.He hadn’t gamed since his early years visiting England when he’d been trying to improve his spoken English, but he remembered his way around some terminology.

“What system do you play?”Timo asked, smiling, meeting the man’s dark eyes with his own radiant ones.“D&D?”

The odd couple stared at him.

“Pardon?”Tattoos cocked her head.

“Sorry.”Timo chuckled, wishing he didn’t have that damn fistful of blood.“Eavesdropping.You were talking about gaming, right?You’re playing a wizard?Sorcerer?”To the man in black.

“We’re talking about our lives,” the man said coldly, no smile or meeting Timo halfway, just shy of a, “So fuck off.”at the end.

Tattoos shot him an exasperated look.“Julian, really.”

Julian’s frown returned.He looked away and folded his arms.“You’re right.”He seemed to be addressing his friend.“It doesn’t matter.The fact that who we are and what we do is invalidated by most people is totally irrelevant.”

“Goddess, what is up with your pity-party today?What’s going on?”

“Nothing.I need to congratulate the happy couple.Excuse —”

“Hang on,” Timo cut in.“I’m still trying to figure out what we’re talking about.”

Julian rolled his eyes, landing on Timo.“I’mso sorrywe failed to take you into account when planning our lives today.”

“Julian.”

Timo bristled, stepping away from the wall to face Julian squarely.“What the fuck is your problem?”

“An excellent question,” Tattoos snapped, and Timo felt a sudden warming for her.

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