Page 104 of Edge of Darkness

Hudson glanced at Connie. “What’s on the agenda for today?”

Connie rattled off the tasks they needed to accomplish that morning. “After lunch, I need to make a trip into San DeLain. There are some things I need to do.”

“Would one of those things involve stopping at a certain witch’s shop?” Hudson asked.

“Yes.” Connie fully intended to stop by there.

“Take Sheila with you, then.”

“I had planned to,” Connie said. “I should be back by six this evening, or maybe earlier.”

“Since Kit has that appointment with Frederick tonight, why don’t we meet at Embers for dinner? There’s no point in you and Kit coming all the way back home just to turn around and return to San DeLain. It’s too far of a trip.”

“Shit. I didn’t think about that,” Kit confessed. “Maybe I should ride with Connie instead of Beckett, then?”

“No, I still want you to have Beckett with you,” Hudson said. “And I want you to have a vehicle also. I don’t like the idea of you not having a car if you needed it.”

“I agree,” Connie said. “But I’ll have Stella drive me so she has her own vehicle once I meet up with you guys. Do you want to meet about five then? We can have an early meal, then catch a movie before the appointment.”

“That sounds perfect,” Hudson said. “Is that okay with you, Kit?”

“Sure. Nothing really changes for me,” Kit responded. “But I do appreciate you asking.”

“I’ll text Kage and ask him to reserve a table for us then,” Hudson said.

“Do you think Beckett would want to join us?” Connie asked.

“I’ll ask him on the way in and text you,” Kit said. “How’s that?”

“That works,” Hudson said. “Let’s go to breakfast.”

Connie picked up the little orange thing on the foot of Kit’s bed and joined them at the door. Kit slung it over his shoulder, hooked his arms through Hudson’s and Connie’s, and started walking.

Connie barely managed to get Kit’s door closed before getting dragged along. Okay, apparently someone was hungry this morning. And walking into the communal eating area arm in arm was certainly going to attract attention, which was what Kit probably intended.

Connie liked the idea that Kit was staking a claim on him and Hudson. He liked that a lot.

They went through the buffet line and sat in their usual place. Seconds later, some of Hudson’s inner circle joined them. Connie was pleased how everybody laughed and joked with Kit. He appreciated that they made the effort to include him in their conversations.

Right before they finished eating, Beckett joined them with a cup of coffee. “Sorry I’m late. I didn’t hear my alarm.”

“Hey, go ahead and take time to eat if you want,” Kit said, sipping his coffee. “I promise the boss won’t get mad if we’re a few minutes late.”

“Thanks, but I grabbed a pastry,” Beckett said, holding up the wrapped goodie he had in his hand. “I can eat that on the way in.”

“If you’re sure. I don’t mind waiting,” Kit said.

“I’m good, but thanks. Are you ready?” Beckett asked.

“I am, yes.”

Hudson and Connie stood and walked with Kit and Beckett outside to Beckett’s vehicle. There were several dragons coming into and out of the main house who waved at them.

Connie also didn’t miss the fact that Kit kissed them on the cheek before getting into Beckett’s vehicle. A dragon or two even whistled at the kiss.

Kit just waved at them as Connie shut the passenger door.

Both he and Hudson stood there watching as Beckett drove off. “Somebody was marking their territory,” Hudson said, his hands in his pockets.

---