Page 50 of Magic and Muffins

He immediately cringed and muttered an apology to Cross. Then he took off his mic and walked off the set.

Cross chuckled and straightened his jacket as if nothing had happened.

“See?” he said, looking at the camera. “If any other vampire had tried that, they would be dead. Yet, here I am. I am an exception.”

Denise gaped after Shepard, then pasted a smile on her face. “Well, that was an insightful interview. Coming up after the break, we’ll look at how fairies are making a name for themselves at a metal sculpture garden.”

The camera light flicked off, and the floor director gave the all-clear.

“What the fuck was that?” Denise shouted, but someone was already ushering Cross toward me, and in short order, we were all being escorted out of the studio.

“The show will air at our three o’clock slot today,” Aggie said as she led us and Hugh outside, then shut the door on us.

Hugh looked exasperated and a little worried. “This might have backfired on us. I’ll be in touch.”

When Hugh walked away, Cross turned to Shepard with a playful smile. “Well, that was fun.”

Shepard let out a soft growl then kissed me on the lips. “Better.”

Cross shook his head with a laugh, and Shepard went to the SUV with us since he’d arrived with Hugh.

Once we were on the road, I said, “I don’t know what lies that producer fed us, but Denise wasn’t out to reveal any truth.”

“Shepard guessed right that we were there for views alone, which is why I kissed him. We weren’t giving them the drama they wanted, so I gave another kind to ensure the interview will air.”

“Hopefully, they won’t edit it down to just the kiss scene,” I said, knowing that it was probably already uploaded to their social media sites as clickbait.

“They won’t. Our disagreement with her will be the build-up they need for the kiss scene to make sense.”

“Can you please stop referring to it as ‘the kiss scene?’” Shepard muttered.

I turned in my seat to look back at him. “It was sweet until you hit him.”

“I thought you didn’t want to share me,” Shepard said. “That includes with him. Tell him to keep his lips to himself, or he’ll get a black eye next time.”

“I like that he already assumes there’s a next time,” Cross said with a chuckle.

I wanted to grin at them but put on my best scowl instead. “This only works if you two respect each other’s boundaries.”

Cross snorted. “He’ll appreciate that kiss when public opinion sways his way because of it. But I promise there will be no further surprise kisses.” He waited several seconds to add, “I’ll warn him before the next one.”

“Asshole,” Shepard muttered under his breath, but there was no real heat to it.

“Do you think there will be any fallout because of the interview?” I asked.

“Hopefully,” Cross said. “That was the whole point. But this time, it should be in the werewolves’ favor.”

CHAPTERELEVEN

By the timewe arrived home, Shepard was on the phone, coordinating the hunting parties for the new nest Vena had located that morning. He also updated Doc on how the interview recording went.

Cross and I made lunch while he talked, and we discussed Bites and Delights planning while I ate.

Once Shepard hung up, I handed him his sandwich.

“Thanks. How does a watch party at the complex sound? Lisa overheard what happened during the recording and wants to turn it into something positive. It’s short notice since the show will air this afternoon.”

“I’d love to come,” I said.

---