Page 36 of Guarded by My Gargoyle

He almost laughed. Almost.

Flora patted his forearm. “Now, are you planning to stand out here all night glaring at innocent tourists?”

“I wasn’t glaring.”

“The one in the blue shirt asked Robin if you were security.”

“He was bothering Maris.”

“He hadn’t even reached the table.”

“He was going to.”

Flora’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Were you planning to kill him before or after he said hello?”

“I wasn’t planning to kill anyone.”

“Good. Paperwork.”

Sam surfaced again, water streaming from his hair. “That’s what I always say.”

“You throw people in rivers,” Aidan pointed out.

“Less paperwork.”

Flora nodded approvingly. “See? Practical.”

Garrick looked at the three of them and wondered why he’d ever come back to Fairhaven Falls.

From inside came the first low notes of Ben’s next song, and then laughter. Maris. He knew it instantly, and so did Flora. Her gaze slid towards the door and then back to him, and she didn’t say anything at all, which was worse.

“Don’t,” Garrick said.

“I am standing perfectly still.”

“You’re thinking again.”

“I do that sometimes.”

“Flora.”

She sighed. “Fine. Here is the full extent of my wisdom for the evening, since you clearly need some.”

“I don’t.”

“Go inside.”

He frowned at her.

“That’s it.” She spread her hands. “Disappointing, isn’t it?”

“What am I supposed to do inside?”

“I don’t know. Have a beer. Listen to Ben. Speak to another person. Apparently males do all sorts of things in taverns.” Her black eyes glittered. “Maybe tell Maris she looks pretty again.”

He said nothing, and Flora’s eyebrows climbed.

“You have told her she looks pretty?”