Page 41 of Something Handsome This Way Comes

Apparently, I really can have all my senses fucked out of me.

“I’m really sorry, Milo. It was an honest mistake.”

“I know. Just don’t fuck around with powerful ingredients like that willy-nilly,” Milo said. “And if you’re thinking of doing it anyway, come to me so I can help you calculate the proper dose.”

“Does that mean you aren’t going to report me to Hobbs?”

“I was never going to do that,” Milo said, waving him off.

“Yeah.” Rowen looked Milo up and down again. “You’re in way too good a mood for that. I would be too, if I were bedded so thoroughly.”

Milo blushed. “We will never speak of this again.”

“Cross my heart,” Rowen said, mimicking the motion across his chest.

“Okay. And tell Sadie she owes me a new sweater,” Milo said, spreading his arms disparagingly. “This was my favorite.”

“I’ll pass the message. But before I go, Milo… are you good?”

Milo smiled at his friend. Because yeah, Grievance was right; Rowen was a cocky son-of-a-bitch. But he also had a really good heart. And he was sitting on Milo’s front porch in the freezing October air, making sure Milo was safe.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Grievance is a monster, but I’ve always been pretty good at handling monsters.”

“Yeah, you have,” Rowen said with a waggle of his brows.

Milo’s jaw clenched. “Your pajamas make you look like Mr. Scrooge.”

Rowen balked. “They’re vintage! Sadie says they make my butt look good.”

“Be that as it may, I still think you’re going to steal Christmas.”

“You have no taste, Pembrooke. And I’m pretty sure you’re mixing up Mr. Scrooge and the Grinch.”

“Good night, Rowen,” Milo said, already opening the door to his shop. “Tell Sadie I want a new sweater by Hollow’s Eve.”

“Will do. And uh, Pembrooke?”

“Yeah?” Milo said through the crack in the half-closed door.

“Thanks for not ratting us out.”

“I’ve got you covered,” Milo said, his chest feeling warm.

“Oh, and don’t forget, succubus venom only wears off at sunrise, and that is,” he checked a nonexistent watch on his wrist. “At least three hours away. So, uh, good luck.”

Milo’s shoulders fell.

Oh, bright Lantern, give me the strength not to poison this man.

“I fucking hate you so much right now. Fuck you.” Milo yell-whispered to the giggling baker as he escaped down the front steps.

“No thanks! I’ll leave that to the big guy!” Rowen called back, then, with a captain’s salute, disappeared down the lane.

CHAPTER SIX

milo

“I’m going to kill him. I’m really going to do it.” Milo mumbled as he examined himself in the vanity mirror. “He has officially baked his last bun.”