Page 47 of Something Handsome This Way Comes

“Someone thinks we’re cute,” Milo whispered shyly.

“We are cute.”

The matter-of-fact way he said it was so… Grievance. He said it the way one might say the sky was blue or the sun was warm. Like it was so obvious, it hardly needed saying at all.

Somehow, Milo’s smile grew even wider. A year ago, a stranger noticing him at all would have made him want to crawl inside his own hat.

Now?

Now Milo stood in the middle of a crowded street, holding hands with his enormous monster and practically basking in it.

Yeah.

They were fucking adorable.

They eventually tore themselves away from the festivities. Milo couldn’t stay gone long anyway.

Flu season had arrived in force, and the Hollow Antler Apothecary had been seeing a steady stream of customers needing fever reducers, cough tonics, throat syrups, and something Milo had begun selling under the highly professional name of:

Please Make My Nose Stop Running.

Besides—

They still had a job to do.

Their first trap was empty. Completely empty. Including the bait.

“Where’s the rabbit?”

Grievance crouched beside the cage.

Milo had enchanted the meat to remain warm, hoping the scent would attract whatever young creature was wandering through town. Apparently, it had worked—a little too well.

“The trigger wasn’t activated,” Grievance said.

Milo crouched beside him. “So it took the bait without setting off the trap?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

Grievance examined the cage. “I don’t know.”

Milo narrowed his eyes. “You built these.”

“With your design.”

Milo gasped at the accusation. “Are you blaming my design? I’ll have you know I’m a master craftsman.”

Grievance snorted and ignored his mock offense. “I’m saying perhaps the creature is clever.”

Milo poked his shoulder. “You’re no fun.”

Grievance fixed him with an exasperated look.

“Your body is currently paying the price of my fun side. So let’s keep things tame for today. Sound good, my darling?”

Milo knew he only said it to tease him, but he couldn’t help the warmth that bloomed in his chest at the sweet endearment.