Page 46 of Fang Fatale

We sit side by side without looking at each other.

The silence isn't awkward.

It's...

Comfortable.

Like we're both relieved someone else is filling the space, even if neither of us knows quite what to say.

I wonder if he's always this guarded.

Or if it's only me who makes him seem so carefully stitched together.

"So..."

"How's Button Cottage?"

"I'd love to tell you I'm thriving."

"You aren't?"

"I'm surviving."

I smile.

"It's significantly less murdery than advertised."

He laughs.

A real laugh.

The banshee and wood sprite both glance over in surprise.

"Good."

He nods toward Barnaby.

"He seems to have settled in."

"Oh, he's officially the mascot of Hex & Honey."

I gesture toward the old ladies now sharing pieces of croissant with him.

"He's made three people cry and stole an entire cinnamon twist off a child's plate."

"Aspirational."

Then he looks at me.

Really looks.

"You know..."

He smiles.

"Most people would've picked a younger dog."

I glance down at Barnaby.