The Law is Hard

Chapter 5

Chapter 5 Alec's POV

I walk up to the restaurant and self-consciously try to fix my unruly, curly hair. I give up after realizing I'm probably making it worse.

I walk in and the bustling noise of the city fades as the door closes behind me. I've never been to this place but it is a cute diner that is lined with booths and tables for two. My eyes instantly find him sitting in a booth by the window, watching the cars drive by.

"Hi, seating for one?" I hear a voice ask me as I'm about to walk over to Magnus. I look over to see a small red-headed woman smiling at me.

"No, I'm meeting him," I gesture in Magnus' direction. I pray my voice stays calm as I'm taunt with nerves.

She gives me a knowing smiling and I'm instantly irritated but also flattered by her. I no longer look at her or even think of her as I walk over to the gorgeous man sitting in the booth. I think she calls out that she'll be right with us.

When he notices me approaching, he smiles in a way that lights up his whole face, the entire room. I try to stomp the flares of hope and joy that are produced by just his smile. I smile shyly in return.

I slide into the seat and pull my folders and notebook out. "Hi, how are you?"

"I'm well, thank you for asking, Alexander. But please, let's just eat lunch first then we can get down to the nasty business," Magnus replies. On the word "nasty" he wrinkles his nose and waves his fingers, making his silver rings sparkle.

I can't help but chuckle. "Alright," I agree.

I hear a girlish squeak come from behind me and I look over to see none other than Jace Lightwood-Herondale bear-hugging the redhead from behind. Her legs kick in the air, flailing about. I whip back around before I can see more.

I slump in my seat and will Jace to go away. Just my luck that I go seven years without seeing the guy, just to have him reappear twice in two days.

Magnus looks at me with concern. "What's wrong?" He asks gently.

I shake my head firmly. "Nothing."

"Clearly not." He continues looking at me openly. "Something upset, and I understand if you don't want to talk about it, but I also hope we can develop this relationship beyond the professional and I can be someone you trust."

I feel choked up by his sincere words and like my heart is going to explode with hope. Before I can respond, the redhead arrives...with Jace.

They're both laughing and teasing each other until Jace sees me. He stops. He sees Magnus. And he looks at me again. And back at Magnus.  At a table together. His expression hardens and the redhead looks at him confused for not laughing.

Feeling emboldened by Magnus' words of sincerity and kindness I say, "Hello, Jace." It comes out sounding a bit dead and flat.

He tilts his head slightly, which I know he does when he's uncomfortable. "Hello, Alec."

"Wait, how do you two know each other?" The redhead asks, confused.

I look at Magnus briefly. His face is neutral but his eyes hold warmth, support and kindness that I latch onto.

"We were brothers." I say in the same flat tone.

"Were?" She asks, clearly concerned about the obvious tension between the two of us.

Jace sighs. A crack showing in his emotionless mask. He looks tired. "Look, we'll talk about this later." Without meeting anyone's eyes, he leaves quickly.

I'm not sure if he was talking to me or the redhead but when I look back at her she looks concerned and hurt.

She meets my eyes and I look away.

She stubbornly sticks her hand out. "I'm not sure what that was but I'm Clary. Jace and I have been dating for just over a month now."

I shake her hand and just simply say, "Alec."

There's too much to say more.

"Wh—"

Magnus speaks up for the first time in a while, interrupting her questions. "Can we get two black coffees, please?"

I think Clary recognized further questions weren't welcome and that she was being dismissed.

"For sure," she says. "But Alec, I hope we can maybe talk a bit more later because you suddenly answer a lot of questions about Jace." She leaves before I can respond.

I look back at Magnus. Beautiful as ever. I feel hollowed out but still warm in his presence.

"I'm sorry for...all that." I say eventually. "And thank you for what you said earlier, I would really appreciate that."

Magnus smiles and I decide it is my new favourite thing. I hope I can bring one out again. 

"Speaking of appreciate, what kinds of movies or books do you appreciate?" He asks with a smile.

I love how he knew exactly what was needed. We launch into a conversation about our favourite movies.

Our coffee comes and we're talking about his love of glitter.

We order our food and we're laughing at a story I told about trying to cook grilled cheese in a toaster in university. We eat and we're debating which street is the busiest, smallest and most garbage-filled. By the time we're laughing about Ragnor trying to use glitter for the first time we've finished and are slowing sipping our third coffees.

My phone starts ringing. I blush and look apologetically at Magnus for interrupting his story.

I pull out my phone and my eyes widen horror. It's Lydia calling. Probably because it's 2:34pm and I've been here for two and a half hours.

"Sorry, I should take this," I say to Magnus trying not to convey my embarrassment but know it's already a lost cause. I slip out of the booth and bring the phone to my ear.

"Hey, Lyds, I'm so sorry, I lost track of the time—"

"No worries! I just wanted to let you know Tessa was looking for you for a meeting but I told her you were out with a client."

"Thank you for that, I'll be back soon."

"No rush! Work will always be here!"

Well for those who live securely maybe, but really no job is secure, I think darkly.

"Bye." I say without answering. I hear her say bye faintly as I hang up.