Page 14 of The Interview

A silver butterfly.

He’d gotten me a silver butterfly.

The craftsmanship was exquisite. It was barely larger than a silver dollar, but it was so detailed, it appeared as if it were poised to flap its wings and flutter from my coat.

But more than the fact that it was gorgeous, it was asilver butterfly.

Ghost King Hua Cheng had silver butterflies. Always beautiful, but sometimes deadly protectors he used to guard the one person who was most precious to him.

If Arden was Hua Cheng, did that make me his precious Dianxia?

“Just something to remember this day by. And me,” Arden said, his voice growing low and rough at the end.

“I love it. You’re right. It’s perfect,” I whispered, trying not to let my emotions turn me into a complete sap. But it couldn’t be helped. Arden had known me for an hour, maybe two, and he’d just handed me the absolute perfect gift.

Catching my hand in his, Arden gave me a little tug, pulling me toward the cold.

We both seemed to forget about it when we stepped outside to find that it was snowing, though. Tiny flakes drifted from the dark-gray sky, blanketing the grass and bushes in white. It must have just started because all but the edges of the sidewalks were clear of the snow.

“Wow. I forgot they were calling for a chance of snow today,” I laughed.

“Well, this throws a wrench into my wicked schemes,” Arden huffed.

My heart skipped around in my chest while I tried to keep my expression bland. “And what wicked schemes were those?”

Arden tightened his grip on my hand as we strolled past the conservatory that glowed against the deepening shadows. I huddled close just in case the wind stirred again. “I was going to see if you were interested in grabbing a somewhat early dinner with me.” He paused and tossed a glare at the heavens. “But with potential for the roads to turn bad, I don’t feel good about keeping you out.”

“Mmm…” I hummed. “Good point. Where do you live?”

“Hyde Park.”

I made a scoffing noise in the back of my throat. “Mr. Freelance Graphic Designer is doing very well for himself,” I teased. Hyde Park was a nice, older neighborhood.

Arden snorted and tapped the tip of my nose. “It’s a small, old house, but yes, I do just fine.”

“Well, your house is closer than my place.” I turned and grabbed the front of his coat, gathering it close to protect him from the biting cold as we stood near the trunks of our respective cars. “I know a great pizza and grinders restaurant between here and Hyde Park?—”

“Are you talking Germantown?” Arden’s eyes lit up like I’d just told him Santa and the Easter Bunny were going to visit him tonight.

“Yes, I’m talking Germantown. You text me what you want and your address. I’ll call in an order and pick it up on the way to your house. We can eat hoagies and binge some TV rather than braving the roads in case it keeps snowing.”

This earned me a hell of a kiss that I did not want to end. It was only when the snow hit the back of my neck that I called for an end to the kiss.

“Good plan,” Arden said. “This’ll give me time to clean up a little.”

I wanted to tease him about that too, but I couldn’t. My apartment was no better. Clothes covered various surfaces and dirty dishes filled the sink. Yes, going to his home was much easier.

Just before we parted, Arden’s fingers caressed the butterfly’s wings on my coat, causing my heart to flutter. There was such a pleased, slightly possessive smile on his lips. That pin would always be a reminder of an amazing first date at the Conservatory, and I hoped it would lead to a very good night.

Jumping into my car, I started it and hit the heater, cranking it as high as it would go. I shifted in my seat to pull my phone out of my pocket and grinned like a lunatic the second Arden’s order pinged through. It was nearly identical to my own. Steak hoagiewith extra pizza sauce, cheese, pickles, and onions with an order of fries. Mine was without the onions, though.

Another text followed it with an address.

I didn’t recognize the street, but it would take two seconds to pop it into the GPS. No big deal.

I called Germantown and placed the order while waiting for my car to warm up and waved to Arden as he pulled out ahead of me. Let him have his head start. I’d be behind him by only ten or fifteen minutes.

As I ended the call with the restaurant, another call rang through.

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