Page 24 of Tail, Dark and Handsome: Celestial Mates
“I can call a transport,” she said.
“I know how to be a good host, so be quiet and let me concentrate,” he snapped.
Charming.
The entire trip, he clenched the steering wheel like he was moments from losing his cool. Rather than focus on how miserable her presence made him, she studied the landscape. The storm had made no impact at all. It must have been the location on the mountain that made the storm seem so vicious.
When he dropped her off at the hotel’s entrance as the sun neared the horizon, she honestly never expected to see Winter Cayne again.
Nor did she want to.
Chapter 4
Not the pop star we need, but the one we deserve. Rebel Cayne has faced criticism for her comments on the Talmar interim government.
-Tal Tattler
Marigold
As it happened, they saw each other the next day. Zero dropped into the chair next to her during dinner, taking her by surprise.
“Is it weird when you’re talking to someone and they keep stepping back? Maintaining eye contact is important in communication, but if they unconsciously increase the distance, miscommunication can occur,” Zero said. “So I should step closer? To prevent miscommunication? Why would someone call me weird for being on the side of mutual understanding?”
Mari dabbed her lips with the napkin to hide her smile.
“Oh, how marvelous,” Valerian cooed, practically vibrating in her seat with excitement. “And you are?”
“Zero Cayne, you are being rude,” a stern voice said. Zero twisted in the chair, ears flattened. His father loomed over him, frowning with his absurdly handsome frowny face. His eyes were dark again from the protective lenses.
Mari’s shoulders went back, and she sat a bit straighter, feeling the need to defend Zero. He was a kid, an awkward kid with more enthusiasm than common sense, she thought. Clearly, Zero got all the charm in the family.
“Zero is always a delight. Mother, these are my rescuers from the storm. Zero and Winter Cayne. My mother, Valerian Moonquest,” Mari said.
“We’ve only just ordered,” Valerian said, her eyes sparkling. Mari knew that look. It was her meddling look. “Would you care to join us?”
Oh no. She would not let Mr. Brooding Good Looks ruin her night. Bad enough that Valerian kept asking about hermysterious rescuer,like it was something swoon-worthy and not her being soaked to the bone and covered in mud while he snarled.
“I’m sure they have other plans,” Mari murmured.
“Nope,” Zero said, popping the sound. “It was my turn to pick where to eat. Lucky running into you, huh? So, is it weird?”
“We should let the females enjoy their meal,” Winter said. Irritation radiated off him as his tail twitched behind him.
“Nonsense. I’d love to meet Marigold’s new friends,” Valerian said, voice dripping with delight.
“Marigold?” Zero asked.
“Mother—”
“Where’s your sense of fun?” Valerian retorted.
Left at the altar, Mari wanted to answer. She didn’t want new friends. She wanted to eat her dinner and finish with a slice of the lemon cake she saw in the display case as they walked in. The piles of fluffy white whipped cream on top convinced her it would be the greatest thing she ever put in her mouth.
“Fine,” Mari said with reluctance. Distracting herself with a snoopy teen and his grump of a father would be smarter would be better than eating her emotions.
Blast it, she could have her lemon cake and play nice.
“There’s my Fun-Showers Marigold,” Valerian cooed, then motioned for the waiter and explained that new friends would join their table.
