Chapter 6

A week later, Jacob finished dressing in the bathroom. He'd have some breakfast, then head to the store to open up. Those surrounding him seemed happy he had a job to occupy his time, although he sensed they thought his efforts at shooting were fruitless, that he couldn't hurt anyone in the wizarding community with a gun. He doubted it too at times. But what other defense did he have?

As he descended the stairs, his brain mulling over his issue of drifting to the left when shooting at the targets, he suddenly froze at the sight before him.

Newt and Tina stood in the kitchen, kissing. And it looked like it was getting hot and heavy! Newt's body pressed against hers, pushing her back into the counter. Her fingers tangled in his hair and his hands rested on her hips, their mouths assaulting each other.

Jacob's eyes bulged, and he frantically tried to figure out how not to be seen. Silently, he backed up the stairs. Not that he didn't like the thought of Newt and Tina together, quite the opposite. He just knew they'd all be embarrassed if he intruded on such a private moment.

Shutting the bathroom door with a noticeable thunk with him still in the hall, he hummed a tune as he meandered down the stairs. He smiled at the separated couple, the only indications of their previous activities being their swollen lips and guilty expressions. "Good morning."

"Good morning, Jacob." Newt greeted him as he slipped his coat on. "I've got an early meeting with my editor. He's not pleased that I can't travel to the Far East to continue my research." He gave Tina a chaste kiss on the cheek and rushed out.

Jacob chuckled. "So he's kissing you now?"

Tina's eyes stayed on the tea pot in front of her, biting her lower lip but not hiding her smile. "It was just a little peck."

"Uh-huh."

He grabbed some bread and spread jam on it while she poured the tea into two cups.

Bunty walked in the door, throwing an envelop on the counter near Tina. "An owl brought that for you." She headed to the basement without another word.

"Thank you!" Tina yelled at the already closing basement door. To Jacob, "I don't think she likes me." She picked up the envelope.

"Can you blame her? You're cutting in on her territory. You know what I mean."

But Tina didn't seem to hear him. As she read the contents of her letter, her face paled.

"Everything okay?"

Tina looked up at him. "It's from Achilles Tolliver."

"Your boyfriend?"

Tina put down the letter and rolled her eyes. "He's not my boyfriend. We've only been out three times."

"I should hope not, especially with other men kissing you." Jacob grinned.

Tina blushed, then gritted her teeth. She pounded her fist on the counter. "Damn that magazine! I'm going to write them a scathing letter about getting their facts right before printing an announcement. I never would have gone out with Achilles if I hadn't thought Newt was engaged to Leta."

Jacob swallowed a bite of breakfast. "I never meet Achilles; well, not officially. Queenie had me hiding in a closet one night when the man dropped you off. He seemed genuinely interested from what little I heard."

"He was. Ugh, according to this letter, he still is." She folded the letter closed.

"You've got interested men all over the place, sweetheart. You gotta to pick. Newt or Achilles?"

"Newt." Not a hint of hesitation. "Achilles is sweet, but all he talks about is work. Sure, our jobs can be exciting, but it's like there's nothing else to him outside of work. Compared to Newt, he's…boring. Think I'll write him a letter."

"Try to let him down easy." Jacob smiled as she ran upstairs, and he left for work.