Page 17 of Code Mages & Empty Pages
“See you in a bit.”
The bell above the door chimed as I entered. Alpin Munro, the proprietor of the shop who’d helped me pick out frames, greeted me.
I’d lived with blurry vision for months after my contacts started bugging me. Part of my recent kick to get my life together included finally fixing that.
“Mr Atkins, good to see you. And in a few minutes, you’ll be able to see me, too.” He chuckled at his own joke.
Munro adjusted my new glasses and checked the fit. When I put them on, the world snapped into focus.
“Oh wow, that’s better.” I didn’t want to hand them back when he told me he had to make a couple more tweaks.
“If we skip this, you’ll be back in 48 hours,” he said, then handed over the case and a cleaning kit.
Damn, I hadn’t even realised how much I’d missed my eyesight. I left the shop feeling lighter than before, grabbed my phone, and dialled her number.
“Luc?” Dawn answered after two rings.
“Hey, where are you? I’m done with my appointment.”
I found her outside a cute café and bookshop called Brewed Awakening. When she heard me call her name, she turned, haloed by that natural hair and cheeky nose ring, and I just stopped for a moment. I’d never had a muse before, but Dawn looked the part: gorgeous, all curves and warm brown skin, and eyes that drew me in. Dawn beamed up at me when I reached her. “Wow, Luc, the glasses look great on you. They fit you so well.”
“Thanks.” I stared at her. I’d always figured, if I ever met a mate, she’d be another Lupinian. But by the Moon Goddess, this woman did something to me.
We swung by Dwarfoods near Desmond and Mia’s and bought beer, a bottle of wine, and everything for homemade pizzas. While Mia had her knitting club tonight, Desmond and I wanted to squeeze in a few hours of Riddles & Guilt, our favourite RPG.
Ghost, Hip, Dante, and I had a heist planned, and I already felt the itch to lose myself in the game.
Mia greeted me at the door with a hug. “Hey, Luc. Oh gosh, look at you! Doesn’t he look dashing with glasses?” Mia asked Dawn, who nodded.
“Yup, totally hot,” she agreed before the two women hugged, too.
I tried not to preen. Instead, I held up the bags to distract them. As much as Ididhave a praise kink, their attention flustered me.
“We brought beer and snacks for everyone.”
Later, over pizza, Mia nudged Dawn, “You’re a writer, right?”
Dawn gave her a wry half-smile. “Technically, yes, when I’m not stuck in writer’s block.”
“Could you…maybe explain how it works?”
“You want to write?” she squealed. “Oh my God, yes, of course!”
Mia hesitated, a little shy. “I don’t know if I’d be any good, but Des says I have a way with words, and I…well, I kind of started a story.”
Dawn sat up straighter. “Mia! I can’t believe you’re only telling me this now.”
Mia just grinned, “I’m not sure I have what it takes.”
“I disagree!” I jumped in before Dawn could, and Harper nodded beside me.
“You absolutely have what it takes,” she assured Mia. “Want to tell us about your book? Or do you have questions?”
The night ended too quickly. I walked with Dawn out to her car, nerves buzzing just under my skin. We stood by the curb, the quiet settling between us.
She turned to me, a small smile on her lips. “Tonight was really good. I haven’t felt this welcome in a long time.”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “You are welcome here. You have all of us now. Mia, Desmond, Harper… me.” I forced a little laugh. “You’re stuck with us, whether you want to be or not.”
