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“Problems?”
“Nothing gets past you does it?”
She smiled briefly.
“Good news, actually. My Nan is recovering. She had a mild stroke but there’s very little damage, thank goodness. She and my great aunt are moving in together, with my sister Rowan and her little one too. Our great aunt rattles around in her house these days, so it makes sense.”
“That sounds good. Do you need to go to them, to help the move in?”
“No, it’s all in hand. Rowan’s roped in her friends. She’s organized. She might look like a punkabilly but she’s a sensible girl.”
“What the hell is a punkabilly?”
“Rockabilly and punk cross.” He chuckled. “Basically she looks like a rebel, multi coloured hair, piercing. Looks like the sort of girl you wouldn’t want to mess with or bump into in a dark alley, but she’s a very good mum.”
Lara laughed. “I can’t wait to meet her.” He face fell. “Whoops. Sorry, I don’t know why I said that.”
“Don’t be sorry.” He stoked his thumb along her jaw.
He glanced at the time. “Coffee, darling?”
Lara rolled her eyes. “Now you’re overplaying your part. But yes, nice and strong, and no milk today.”
That’s what she was like—one-day she’d want milk, the next she wouldn’t.
Draco rose to his feet and headed off to the kitchen. He figured he’d be milk one day and she wouldn’t want him or the danger surrounding him any more.
He was midway through prepping two mugs of coffee when a presence behind him broke his train of thought. Glancing over his shoulder he saw Harry, Lara’s cousin and minder, standing in the doorway, arms folded, observing.
Draco took his time to remove the second mug from the shelf in the machine and then stirred each cup thoroughly before giving Harry the satisfaction of acknowledging him.
Inclining his head, he picked up the coffees and walked toward the doorway.
Harry stood his ground.
Draco paused. “Something I can do for you, Harry?”
Harry moved toward him in what Draco assumed was supposed to be a threatening manner, backing him into the kitchen.
Draco lifted the cups higher and turned sideways, as if to let him past.
Harry faced him. “I’ve been watching you.”
“Really?” Draco laughed softly. “I haven’t seen much of you since I started here.” Harry was all words and no action. Draco assumed he’d stayed out of it until such time they’d been accepted.
Harry ignored the comment, leaned in and spoke under his breath. “Don’t mess this up for Lara.”
“Ah, the caring cousin.”
Annoyance flashed in Harry’s eyes. His thin lips closed tightly.
“But you don’t need to worry,” Draco continued, “Lara’s interests are my top priority.” He smiled, intending to indicate they’d grown close.
He knew he shouldn’t have done it, but he couldn’t resist. The last thing he wanted was Harry getting angry enough to expose him. He was the one who’d agreed to push it along for Lara, the fact he was getting nervous and twitchy at this point was ridiculous.
“You were hired to do one job. The quicker you get it done and leave, the better.”
Draco leaned back against the nearby work surface nonchalantly. “But Harry, I really like it here. This apprenticeship is my opportunity to tie down a real job for the long haul.”
