Page 37 of Unraveling Fate

“Who made the fudge?” she asked.

He sat up to touch away a crumb from the corner of her mouth. More bodhran notes rippled across her face and down the side of her neck. “I made it. Dessert’s a bit of a hobby of mine.”

“You made this?” she asked. “It’s amazing.”

“You sound surprised.” He laid a hand on his chest, eyebrows raised. “It would be sexist to assume a man couldn’t make a decent fudge.” He clucked his tongue and shook his head, feigning disappointment. “I’m heartbroken, Cadenza.”

“Oh, you—” She shoved him with a shoulder, and he burst out laughing. The shove scooted her closer to him, but she didn’t move away when he finished laughing, and when she leaned back, she bumped up against his arm. He didn’t move it away, and she stayed, content to lean on him, soaking up his drumsong.

“So,” he said. “I thought we could have a game.”

“Ok, what kind of game?”

Taran pulled drinks out of the picnic basket with his other hand and pried one open for her. “I was thinking a question game.”

Cadenza washed down another piece of fudge with her drink. “Alright. I’m liking this whole dessert first thing, by the way.”

“Good. Because I’m not nearly as accomplished with dinner as I am with dessert. I’m afraid this whole basket is dessert.”

She laughed. “Not the worst news I’ve had today, believe me. What’s the first question?”

“First question. Where do you fit with your siblings?”

“I’m the youngest. Two older sisters. Drostan said you’re the youngest too, right?”

“That’s right. Ruairi is the oldest, then Cyrus, then,” he pointed to himself. “Which is grand, because in the stories, it’s always the youngest what gets to go on the adventure.”

Cadenza snorted. “I must still be waiting for my adventure.”

“Here, try this. A culinary adventure, if you will.” He rummaged through the basket and pulled out another plate.

“Is that cheesecake?” she asked.

“Caramel cheesecake.” He fed her a forkful, and she closed her eyes, savoring.

“Oh, you are wicked,” she murmured, caramel filling her senses. “And that is as amazing as the fudge.”

“Wicked, nae,” he protested. “I’m innocent as a lamb.” He smirked, mischief sparkling in his eyes.

Cadenza savored another bite of cheesecake with Taran’s arm pressed into her back, warm and solid. His heart beat steadily, balancing the ocean of drumsong so she could hear the music but stay present in the world around her.

“Your turn to ask a question,” he said.

She hesitated. This moment—Taran, cheesecake, the stars—dazzled her. She didn’t want to lose it, but even though she’d learned some things from Taran the night of the car accident, there were plenty of other things that didn’t make sense.

“Ok,” she said. “Don’t take this wrong, but where do you put the Ferrari at night?”

“Where do I put the Ferrari at night?” he asked, hand halfway to his mouth with another bite of fudge.

“Yeah. I mean, I know it’s your car, despite whatever I said when I hit my head.”

He chuckled lowly.

“You’re obviously not driving it anywhere,” she continued. “But it’s gone every night. Do you not think it’s safe in the garage or something?”

“Safe? Oh, no, it’s perfectly safe there. It’s just that I think it might like to get a breath of fresh air. See something besides those four walls.” His tone teased, but his eyes ranged around the field as if they were surrounded by four walls even outdoors.

“The car wants a breath of fresh air?” she asked dubiously.