Page 25 of The Mermaid's Bubble Lounge
He scratched his cheek on a grin, and I could have sworn I saw a blush. “Oh. Well. Not really. It’s not fair and we all know it, but Alec and I can get away with anything.” He stuffed his hand in his pocket. “She’s so happy to have us back safe and sound that she never criticizes anything either of us does. It drives Coco nuts that she gets slammed if her grandmother doesn’t approve of the length of her skirt, but I can show up in jeans and boots and I just get a hug and a kiss.”
Laughing, I shook my head as I filled a pint with a lager.
“It’s not right,” he admitted. “I feel bad, but not bad enough to dress up.”
A little before six, Fyr nudged me toward the stairs. “I got it,” he said. “If I need any help, I’ll ask Dave to come out.”
“Great. Thanks.” I waved to any who were looking in my direction and then gave a short whistle for Fergus. He came running out of the bookstore, where he no doubt had been taking a nap, and met me at the stairs.
On the quick jog home, a gray cat kept pace with us. I was waiting for Fergus to pull at his leash, wanting to chase the cat, but he didn’t seem to notice. He was intent on getting home and getting his dinner.
The house was dark, of course. “Vlad, if you’re here, say something. I’m about to open some curtains.”
Silence.
Okey-dokey. I opened the curtains as I made my way through the house to the kitchen. To be on the safe side, we’d had the windows treated to make looking in extremely difficult, but they still let in light, which was what I wanted.
Fergus sat by his bowl, waiting for me. When I filled a glass with water and drank it down, he nudged his food bowl, making it scrape against the floor.
“Yes. I know. You want to be fed. I was thirsty. I—damn it! I left the bars at work. Shitshitshit.” I texted Dave.
Me: Can you put the plate of bars in the cold storage room? I forgot to grab more before I left.
Dave: Already gave the plate to Fyr. Since he has to work alone tonight, I decided he needed them more than you.
A grinning demon emoji popped up and a growl started deep in my chest. “I’m going to beat that guy, Fergus.” I filled the pup’s bowl with kibble, adding a few leftover pieces of salmon I had in the fridge. While Fergus ate, I plotted my revenge against Dave. It would be long, tortuous, and bloody.
My phone buzzed again. Dave sent an image of the plate on the bottom shelf in cold storage.
Dave: I did offer him one, but he declined. He said he didn’t like coconut. Is that a fae thing?
Me: Odd. That’s a weirdly specific dislike for all fae. Anyway, I’m glad. I didn’t want to have to hurt you. Getting between a werewolf and her food is never a good idea.
I opened the back door for Fergus and then ran upstairs. Sea Cliff wasn’t far. I had time for a quick shower. I leaned over the bed and gave Clive a kiss before diving into the bathroom.
After I was clean and mostly blown dry, I went to the huge closet to find a dress. What would Benvair find appropriate?
“Wear the sea glass green silk,” Clive said.
I spun to hug him. “What are you doing up already?”
He held me tight, rubbing his nose against my temple. “I missed you and wanted to see you before you went out.”
I breathed him in as well. “How’d you know I was going anywhere?”
Tapping my head gently, he said, “You’re thinking quite loudly. Dinner with the dragons, eh?”
I gave him a quick kiss and pulled the green silk dress over my head. Clive was there to hook the button at the back of my neck. I checked the mirror. It was a tank dress, with delicate stitching and tucking at the waist on one side, giving the skirt the illusion of movement.
Clive wrapped his arms around me, resting his head on my shoulder. “Lovely is too weak a word. You make my cold, dead heart yearn to beat again.”
“Aww, you sweet talker.” Turning in his arms, I lost myself in a kiss before rearing back with a gasp. “What time is it?”
He glanced over my shoulder at the clock on the wall. “Six-forty-five. Why?”
I raced back to the bathroom and gave my eyelashes a few swipes with the mascara brush, put on a tinted lip gloss, and then realized I was still barefoot. Thankfully Clive was standing in the doorway of the bathroom with a pair of strappy sandals, some earrings, and a handbag.
I kissed him again, grabbing the items in his hands. “You’re quite the lady’s maid.” I sat on the bed and strapped on the sandals and slid in the earrings.
