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Chapter 10
A Little Taste
CORDELYA
Iwould really like to know what exactly I have done to piss off the universe.
First the car crash.
Then the flood.
Now a break-in.
That’s just since I arrived in Ravens Hollow.
That doesn’t even take into account Chad.
Everything after Auggie showed up with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and asked me to the Halloween Festival is a blur.
Everything except Auggie.
The moment I hung up the phone with Dale, Auggie was right there. His steady hand became my anchor, keeping me from drifting away. He stayed with me every step of the way.
He walked me through my wrecked apartment. Made sure my animals were okay. Stood beside me while I spoke to the officers about the damage and missing items. Helped me, yet again, move my belongings and the animals to another unit.
The doorbell rings, jarring me from my thoughts and setting off every internal alarm I have.
Auggie’s hand settles on my shoulder from where he sits next to me on the couch, instantly easing the panic that threatens to overwhelm me.
“I’ve got it, Moonlight.”
He pushes to his feet and heads to the door.
When the door opens, a delicious aroma of takeout fills the apartment, making my mouth water.
When did he order food? How long have I been in la la land?
“I hope you like Chinese,” he says, walking to the kitchen. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I got a little of everything.”
My stomach decides that moment is the perfect time to rumble.
“It smells delicious,” I say, climbing off the couch to join him in the kitchen. “When on Earth did you order food?”
He laughs, grabbing plates from the cupboard. “Sometime after Officer Burrows left and you sat down on the couch.”
“I’m so sorry,” I gasp, horrified that I zoned out on him after all he’s done.
Auggie sets the plates down and turns to me, taking my hands in his.
“There is nothing for you to apologize for. Someone broke into your home, Moonlight. You’re allowed a minute or fifty to process.”
He rubs soothing circles on my hands, and the tension slowly drains from my body.
“It was rude.” I try to argue.
“Moonlight, don’t be so hard on yourself.”
Before I can answer, he presses on.
