Page 54 of Lovesick Gods

Danny froze and stared at his hand as he realized he’d picked up his phone again and nearly hurled it at the wall. He doubted it could survive a second impact, especially if he unintentionally used his powers.

Taking a breath, he pulled his phone close and swiped his screen awake. None of his new texts were from Cho, but that was the only person he wanted to see right now.

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Mal pulled out his phone to see who had messaged him as he waited for Mrs. Pak to return from the back of the general store. He’d tried to tell her that he was fine, he didn’t need anything, never needed anything unless he was picking up groceries, which he’d already done that week, but convincing the woman of such things was like talking to a brick wall. She’d just speak right over him, going a million miles a minute.

The text was from Danny.Busy?

Errands.

Illegal errands?

Mal smirked as he texted back,Not technically.

Want company?

Mal’s smile dropped. It was the middle of the day. They weren’t supposed to meet until tomorrow. Considering his answer for several seconds, he reminded himself where he was and what he was up to. He had more stops to go before he could head home.

Not a good time.

Where are you? I can meet you.

Persistent. Something must have happened. Maybe the Ludgate case.

Corner store in my neighborhood, he replied, not thinking for a moment that Danny could find him on that information.I’ll message you when I’m done and we can—Mal was still typing when he caught sight of a faint spark of light and looked up to see Danny walking through the door.

How…?

“Hey,” Danny said, looking windblown and antsy in a blazer and navy trench coat that Mal would have adored in any other situation. Mal was dressed for his own routine day atwork, with his glasses on and hair tied back in a messy bun.

Pocketing his phone, he kept his face neutral. “How did you find me?”

“You said corner store, so I just…checked all the corners,” Danny shrugged.

“All—”

“Can’t do that too often though, or I tend to pass out,” he added with a light laugh. It was stilted, forced. He had his hands jammed into his pockets and couldn’t seem to stop fidgeting. Danny was always a little restless—he had lightning in his veins—but this was different.

He wanted distraction. Escape. Normally, Mal was only too happy to provide, but he was on the job at the moment. It didn’tmatter that nothing about this part of his work was strictly illegal.

“Danny, I need you to pay close attention,” Mal spoke slowly, steeling his expression to show that he was not amused—even if he was a little. “I did not invite you along. I said now isn’t a good time and it isn’t. You can’t be here—”

“For you, Mickey. Take, take.” Mrs. Pak reappeared and pushed a large, warm bag of aromatic food into his arms that was far more than he could ever eat alone.

Turning away from Danny’s hurt expression to address the woman, Mal said, “Mrs. Pak, I tried to explain—”

“Need more for friend?” She gestured at Danny.

Mal sighed because Danny’s smile was starting to peek through again. “No.” He switched to Korean and stated plainly, “You never need to give me anything.”

“Nonsense,” she answered just as rapid-fire in her native tongue, then went on a little too fast for Mal to follow, though he definitely caught something about ‘protection’ and ‘good boy’ and ‘too skinny’ with some endearment attached to his name. He was pretty sure the skinny comment was for Danny, though he never knew with Mrs. Pak.

“You speak Korean?” Danny said, rather than address the fact that he shouldn’t be there at all.

Mal shot him a scowl. “Very little. And very poorly.”

“He too modest,” Mrs. Pak said, because of course she’d engage Danny in conversation. “Better every day. You need more, Mickey, you say so.” Patting Mal’s arm three times, she was soon gone as the afternoon rush started to come in, relieving him of her doting attention.

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