“Any time.” He nodded toward the main house, so we collected our plates and left the study.
There were a lot more people than when Ares and I left the party. I recognized a couple of people, but I didn’t run in Brenda’s social circle. Most talked in pairs or in small groups. I acknowledged people who glanced my way, but I was focused on finding one person.
Henry.
Henry
Iwatched as Nick’s face lit up in anticipation as we entered the little café near his apartment. He’d come here dozens of times alone or with Trevor, but this was the first time he’d brought a date. I loved how the simple things made him happy. It made the weight of looming threats fade away if only for a few minutes.
“You have to try the almond croissants,” Nick said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “They’re life changing.”
I huffed in fake disbelief. “Life-changing, huh? That’s quite the endorsement.”
He nodded vigorously. “Trust me. Once you have one, you’ll wonder how you ever survived without it.”
If it made him this happy, I’d eat ten. “In that case, I’d better get one before I pass away.”
“Oh, no, no, no.” Nick wagged a finger at me. “This is my treat. Your job is to snag that table in the back before it’s taken.”
He left me with my orders and made his way to the counter. I stared at his cute butt until I heard people behind me. My only job was to get a booth, and I didn’t want to let him down.
Whatever Ares said to Nick, it worked. He was more at ease with himself and with us. The newly emerging confidence was wonderful to witness.
Beneath that, however, I still sensed the undercurrents of conflict. The subtle shifts in his aura that hinted at powers he’d yet to understand. Powers that needed to remain hidden lest they draw the Drevlin to us like a lighthouse on a stormy night.
I reached the booth, and felt the disappointment of the couple behind me. Sitting, I ignored them and checked on Nick. He was ordering and seemed oblivious to the way the barista smiled at him. The guy behind the counter was cute, and now that everyone’s manipulations had ceased, guys noticed Nick. Too bad for them, Nick was mine.
He was, but the fear I’d lose him was real. The lies were becoming heavier, the half-truths more tangled. Every day we grew closer, and I couldn’t predict how’d he’d react when he learned the truth. Only Uriel’s warning echoing incessantly in my mind kept me from telling him the truth.
“Lost in thought?”
I looked up to find Nick standing over me, a tray with two coffees and three golden croissants balanced in his hands. “Just wondering what life will be like once it changes after I eat.”
“I bought a plain one in case you don’t love it like I do.” He put a coffee cup and a croissant in front of me.
“You didn’t need to buy an extra one,” I said, reaching for the croissant. “Even if it doesn’t live up to the hype, I’m sure I won’t hate it.”
“I usually buy two for myself,” he said, taking a pastry. “But I’ll gladly share it with my handsome date if he’s still hungry.”
Nick watched expectantly as I took a bite. The sweet almond filling was a perfect balance to the flaky crust. It wasn’t the best I’d had, but given who bought it for me, it was my new favorite.
“Well?” he prompted, his foot tapping lightly against the chair leg.
I closed one eye, pretending to consider. “It’s... acceptable.”
“Acceptable?” He gasped in mock horror and reached across the table. “Give it over. I can’t have it wasted on a Philistine like you.”
Pulling back my plate, I feigned irritation. “You gave it to me. You can’t take it back. Besides, you were right, it is really good.”
“Victory!” He punched the air triumphantly, grinning from ear to ear.
We settled into silence as we ate. Outside, the usual weekend hustle didn’t intrude on our time. It was about as perfect a Sunday morning as I could imagine.
“How about we go to Kensington?” I asked. “I read they have two vintage toy stores we could check out for die cast metal cars.”
“Really?” Nick leaned in, his face lighting up in the infectious way I love to see. “I’ve wanted to go there, but Metro doesn’t run there, and I don’t love the bus system. What made you think of going?
I’d figured he be excited, so this time I got to declare victory. “I was trying to avoid work one day and searched for vintage die cast metal cars. Most of the results were websites, but one of them mentioned antiques. Since you went shopping with me in Frederick, I checked the list of shops in Kensington.”
