Page 87 of Something Handsome This Way Comes

“Don’t trust it!” Pip hissed from somewhere by his feet.

Milo chuckled. “It’s all right, Pip.” He gently accepted the envelope. “It’s just Rowen’s familiar.”

The possum tipped its tiny hat. Then darted off the porch and disappeared into the darkness, heading back toward town. Milo closed the door behind it.

“What does the annoying baker want?” Grievance asked beside him, already irritated.

“Will you two relax?” Milo unfolded the letter. The note smelled faintly of cinnamon. He smiled despite himself.

It read:

Pembrooke, my man!

Thanks again for bailing me out with the extra Daydream powder today. Seriously, you’re a lifesaver.

Sadie’s been experimenting with a few new recipes, and somehow we’ve ended up with enough pastries to feed half the Hollow. Before I let innocent paying customers anywhere near them, we’d love a couple of trusted guinea pigs.

Swing by in the morning. Coffee’s on me.

Tell Grievance he doesn’t have to glower this time.

You’re a real one.

—Rowen

Milo let out an amused sigh. Rumor had it Sadie was an incredibly capable vampiress… and an absolutely disastrous baker. Apparently, she was determined to improve. Which meant Milo was about to become quality control.

“What is it?” Grievance asked.

Milo folded the letter. “Nothing exciting. Just have to stop by Rowen’s in the morning. He wants us to try some pastries.”

Grievance groaned. “Do we have to?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“If that all… Pip tired,” the spider announced as he hauled himself back toward the ceiling on a thin strand of silk. “Night.”

Milo looked up just in time to see his tiny blue legs vanish into a webbed nest in the corner of the study.

“Thank you for protecting us, Pip,” Milo added, feeling like he needed to be a little more patient with his not-familiar spider.

“Welcome,” came a clipped response.

Fuck. Tomorrow I’ll bribe him with some silk-worms. That’ll cheer him up.

But that was tomorrow’s problem.

Right now, it was just him and his monster.

Milo looked up to find Grievance already watching him. Those warm brown eyes were locked onto his, the pupils blown wide in that unmistakable way they always were when the Chimera was seconds away from pouncing. Hunting. Claiming what was his.

Fuck yes. Keep looking at me like that.

Milo was already on his feet before he’d consciously made the decision, one word perched on the tip of his tongue.

“Shower?”

“Thought you’d never ask.”