Page 118 of Wicked Witch of the Wolf

“Lunch is served. Or is it dinner? What time even is it?” I set the food on the table along with a bag of chips and some iced mint tea.

“Just after three. Closer to dinner than lunch—at least for you. For me, it’s practically breakfast.” He rolled his shoulders back and worked his head from side to side. “I’ve got to get back to the pub. It’s driving me up the wall that I’m not there.”

“Karen’s got it under control. Even Gladys is helping. You’ve already called Edie twice under the thinnest of pretenses. Asking if she had enough betta food for Angel? Really?”

“He might’ve run out. Besides, I needed to know if they’d done a water change.”

“Edie loves that fish. You know she wouldn’t allow anything to happen to him.” I pointed at his plate. “Quit worrying so much. Sit down and eat your, uh, brunch.”

Ronan shook his head at me. “You sent your tenants to the store to pick up groceries, and we’re eating PB&Js? At least have Cecil bring in some vegetables from the garden room. I’m deeply concerned about your nutrition.”

“It’s weird how you saythank you for making me a sandwich, Betty. I’ve never heard it pronounced quite like that.”

“Thank you for making me a sandwich, Betty. I honestly wasn’tcomplaining. I love PB&Js. It’s only that you seem to have an unhealthy obsession with them.”

“Thanks for your concern, but I eat tacos, too. And enchiladas that roast the inside of my mouth.”

“Low blow, Lennox. I tried hard to impress you with those enchiladas.”

“I honestly wasn’t complaining. I love enchiladas. It’s only that my tastebuds took two full days to recover. Seemsyouhave an unhealthy obsession with peppers.” I stuck my tongue out at him.

“Touché.” He laughed and went to the sink to wash his hands.

“There are green salads in the fridge. I just forgot to set them on the table.”

“I’ll grab ’em.” He dried his hands and went to the fridge.

“The Brittons were nice enough to offer to pick up some stuff for us. I didn’t want to overwhelm them so I only got staples. The bread is fresh, the peanut butter is natural, and there’sfruitin the jelly. Even the kettle chips are oil, salt, and potatoes. That counts.”

“Does it?” He handed me my salad, two forks, and a bottle of vinaigrette.

“Yes. Please take note that I cut our sandwiches on the diagonal so we’d feel extra fancy,” I said.

“That’s exactly what I feel.” Ronan picked up his sandwich and lifted his pinky. “Fancy.”

“Good to know it’s working.” I sat across from him and poked at my sandwich. “My instincts tell me your sister’s too smart to allow herself to be put in a situation like that unless she felt she could turn it to her advantage. Don’t sell Aurora short. The fact that she hasn’t called you makes me think she might be concerned that Floyd’s tracking her calls and she’s trying to protect you.”

“I’m supposed to be protecting her, not the other way around.”

“You’ve got a real hangup about that,” I said. “Therapy is a viable option. I know a great psychiatrist. She’s a witch but sees all kinds of paranormals.”

He shoved the other half of his sandwich into his mouth then went to work on the salad.

“Something to revisit once this is all over, perhaps.” I took a bite of my sandwich. It was delicious. Ronan had no taste—except in women. He had great taste in that category.

“What if I called her using my burner phone?” I asked. “She could use the number to call you, too.”

“No. He might be spying on her, and I don’t want to drag you into this.”

“It’s aburnerphone. Also, at the risk of activating your overprotective nature, I’ll remind you that I’m already in this, Pallás. Up to my ears.”

He growled, the wolf expressing the frustration Ronan didn’t have words for.

We ate in silence, each of us deep in thought.

“Williams,” he said suddenly.

“What?”

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