Page 139 of Something Handsome This Way Comes

“Don’t I know it.” Hobbs arched backward, pressing a hand against her lower spine. “I’ve got three little trolls ravaging my house. Well, as long as you’re keeping that frozen beastie off my streets, I’ll give you a pass on the meeting.” She tipped her hat. “Happy Pumpkin Festival, boys!”

“Happy Pumpkin Festival!”

They watched her disappear around the corner.

Milo released a long breath.

“Thanks for stepping in. She asked about the meeting, and my mind went completely blank.”

“I will go to great lengths to avoid another one of those.”

“You hate meetings more than I do.”

“I hate sitting in small chairs while Hobbs explains obvious things.”

Milo snorted, and Grievance nodded toward the crate.

“Now let us get these to the idiot baker and the vampiress. I have words for them.”

The Wicked Whisk was chaos.

Rowen stood behind the counter with flour streaked through his magenta hair, frosting smeared across one cheek, and the expression of a man who had consumed enough coffee to kill a lesser creature.

Sadie was carrying six trays at once.

“MY SAVIORS!” Rowen threw both arms wide.

“No,” Grievance said.

Rowen stopped. “I haven’t even asked anything yet.”

“No.”

Milo laughed and set the crate on the counter. “Last batch of popping crystals.”

“Thank the Lantern.” Rowen snatched one jar from the crate and kissed it. “Do you know how many Pumpkin Pop Toffees I have left?”

“Considering the line outside?” Milo asked.

“Seven.”

As though summoned by the number, someone outside shouted, “ARE THE TOFFEES READY YET?”

Rowen screamed back, “THEY WILL BE READY WHEN THEY’RE READY, AGATHA!”

Sadie covered her mouth, giggling, and Grievance narrowed his eyes suspiciously at her.

Rowen began unloading jars. “While I have you both here…”

“No,” Grievance said again.

“I wanted to apologize.”

Grievance paused.

Rowen pressed both hands together. “Properly. For the incident.”

Sadie immediately looked at the floor as though the sight of Milo and Grievance was enough to send her over the edge. Her shoulders shook as she visibly struggled to maintain a polite expression.