Page 19 of Bargains with Benefits
This was part of why I loved Seraphina. She always knew what to do. When I met her my first day in Sandrin, she’d walked right up to me and said that I looked like I could use a friend, and she happened to be in the market for one. We hadn’t looked back since.
It shouldn’t have surprised me they showed up ready to help with the more mundane aspects of this challenge. Their presence soothed my nerves in a way neither baking nor list-making did. I was happy with our progress on the first floor, but not even my friend could prevent my heartbeat ratcheting when I realized it was time to head upstairs.
“I’m warning you two, it’s bad.”
Evelyn shook the mop at me like it was a weapon. “We’re ready.”
We turned left and marched with determination to the end of the hall. As soon as I saw the door, I remembered it was locked. It had slipped my mind with Vincent and our bargain. “Actually,”—I pointed across the hall—“let’s start over here.”
“What’s wrong with that one?” Evelyn asked.
“It’s locked.” I hesitated. “I couldn’t open it last time. I tried everything.”
Evelyn’s head tilted. She loved a mystery. I should have known this would be right up her alley. “Locked how?” She stepped closer to the door. “Can I touch it?”
“I did.” I shrugged. “It didn’t hurt me, but it also didn’t open.”
“So, I take it you don’t mean locked and missing the key.” Seraphina rested her hand on her hip.
I gave her what I hoped was an apologetic smile and shook my head. “The actual door lock isn’t secured. I peeked through the keyhole.”
“Lovely.” Seraphina’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “You have a mysteriously locked door.”
Evelyn ignored Seraphina’s sass. She wrapped her fingers around the handle and twisted. Nothing happened. She tried again and pushed a little harder against the door with each new attempt. I saw the exact moment this became more interesting to her than cleaning.
Seraphina and I shared a glance. “I think we should leave her to it.”
Knowing she was correct, I laughed and followed her into the bedroom across the hall to clean.
“This is…worse than I thought.” She pulled back the drapes to let in the light. I didn’t know why they had ever been closed. The sea view should be the first thing to greet guests upon entering this room.
“I know. I meant to come over here yesterday to get started, but I went to the other big inns in town instead.”
“You wanted to do your own research, not trust the old fae’s?” She elbowed me as she dusted the flat surfaces.
“It’s not about him,” I said a little too quickly.
She gave me a knowing smile. “I’m sorry that went so sideways on you. It was better to find out what he wanted from you early, though, wasn’t it?”
I wasn’t sure. I kept telling myself the same thing, but Seraphina’s comment from the night we met kept playing on repeat. I had told him about Darius—with little to no provocation. It had been so long since I’d connected with someone so quickly, even given the unfortunate circumstances of our meeting. I couldn’t help but think it was a missed opportunity. I shrugged. We’d both shown where our priorities lay, I guessed.
“It is what it is. If he recommends the inn, it can only help.”
“What about helping him with Darius? Have you thought about how you'll do that?”
“I have. I just really don’t want to do it, but if it’s to save this place”—I glanced around the room—“I will.”
Seraphina nodded. She knew what the inn meant to me. “What’s your plan?”
“I’ll try to find something juicy about the inn to report. I realized I’ve never…asked to talk to him…asked for an invite to Pierce House.” Seraphina’s brow furrowed as I continued. “He’s never invited me, but I don’t know. I was thinking that would be a place to start.” I shrugged again.
“Do you think it will be that simple?”
“I don’t think asking Darius for something is simple,” I said defensively.
Seraphina raised her hands in surrender. “Fine. Remember we’re both here when you need us.”
“Luna!” Evelyn called from the hallway.
