Page 76 of Always Say Yes to a Dragon

Dwayne sat back with a smirk. It looked like the mirror of Udar’s whenever he’d gotten one of my parents to turn their “constructive criticism” on me or Tika. I narrowed my eyes at him.

He didn’t notice, too busy watching Elle and Betty.

“There’s nothing to tell. Besides, I like sewing. It’s nice to stretch my creativity.” Betty waved off Elle’s concerns.

Elle opened and shut her mouth a few times, then said, “Okay.”

“What kind of sewing?” I asked.

“Just kids’ things, frilly little dresses like I used to make Elle,” Betty said.

Elle shifted in her seat. “Come on, Mama, he doesn’t want to hear about my baby clothes.”

“Oh, but Ido.” I leaned toward Betty. “You made Elle’sclothes?” I knew humans often gifted their time in place of treasure, but such an extensive gift was something to brag about.

“Elle, do you still have some of those pieces?” I asked. I’d add them to my—our—hoard.

“No. I outgrew most of them, so we either sold them or gave them away.” Red tinted her cheeks. She tried to remove her hand from my thigh, but I caught it.

“I think your cousin Savannah got most of them,” Betty said.

“Right. Of course.” Elle coughed.

“More family?” I leaned closer to Elle. Savannah must be a great favorite to receive such valuable gifts.

Elle grimaced. “Yep. There’s a lot of us in Elliston.” She named a small town a short forty-five minutes east of Kilinis.

“We should plan a trip.” I could meet the rest of her family in one convenient location and win their approval in one fell swoop.

“Let’s talk about it after I meet your folks,” she said, rubbing the back of her neck.

I deflated a bit at the reminder that I hadn’t passed tonight’s tests yet. Betty had warmed to me, but Dwayne still sat with crossed arms.

“Why would you want to go visit those rednecks?” Dwayne asked.

“Dwayne. Please.” Betty shot him a sharp look.

I glanced between the humans, then whispered to Elle, “What’s a redneck?”

“I’ll explain later.” She turned to Dwayne. “Don’t insult my family.”

My shoulders straightened, and I glared at the human man.

He snapped his mouth shut and looked down at the table.

Dwayne barely spoke for the rest of dinner. Betty and I had a lovely conversation, but she shot nervous glances at Dwayne, whose eyes stayed fixed on his plate. Every time Betty looked at Dwayne, Elle tensed, her hand clenching on my arm or her shoulders drawing to her ears.

When the server brought the check, I automatically grabbed for it. Dwayne’s hand reached out a second faster and snatched it from the table.

“Keep your money, you overgrown salamander.”

I bristled. “I won’t disrespect Elle’s family, even if youarerude.” Not compensating Elle’s family for the gift of their time was unthinkable.

Elle’s hand squeezed my wrist. “Remember what we talked about.”

“Family? That girl,” Dwayne jerked his chin at my Elle, “is the most disrespectful brat—”

“Dwayne!” Betty hissed. “I asked you foronenight!”

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