Page 168 of Dancing for the Minotaur

Terra shook her head.

“I rejected him, Mom. Then he disappeared. Then he saved the kids and wouldn’t even let me apologize because he thought I was offering myself out of gratitude. Now I lied to the police and told them we’re mates so he wouldn’t go to prison, and apparently they think we’re getting married.”

Lucy stopped pouring lemonade and stared at her.

“They think what?”

Terra winced.

“Things got…complicated. I’ll explain later.”

Her mother kept staring at her for several seconds, then a slow smile spread across her face.

“Oh, this is getting interesting.”

Terra ran a hand through her hair.

“No. It is getting damn complicated.”

“Mmm-hmm. So I see.”

Terra ignored her.

“Look—let’s just get these snacks out there before the kids start gnawing on Taurex’s horns.”

They carried the drinks into the living room, and for the next hour Taurex remained surrounded by the children. Cody convinced him to play a racing game, which Taurex initially approached as though it were some kind of military simulation.

“You are supposed to remain on the roadway,” he said.

“No, you can cut through the grass there.” Cody pointed.

The big Monstrum frowned.

“That would violate the established route.”

“But it makes you go faster.”

“Then why establish a route?” Taurex asked, clearly perplexed.

Cody laughed.

“Just drive!”

Lisa cheered every time Taurex crashed, and Terra laughed until her stomach hurt. Eventually, though, the afternoon began fading toward evening.

Taurex looked at the time and rose to his full, towering height.

“I should leave. It will be dark soon.”

Terra’s smile vanished.

But I don’t want you to go! The words hovered on her lips, but somehow she couldn’t let them out.

Lisa, however, had no such difficulty making her feelings known.

“No!” she shouted. “You should stay, Bull-man!”

“I wish I could, but I have been gone from my business for several days,” Taurex told him.