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Nick set the package on the table and gave me a more thorough kiss. “Then it’s a good thing I stopped by Lagniappe Café and picked up beignets.”
“Ooooo. Gimme!”
Grinning, Nick fished a large white paper bag from his backpack and handed it over.
“Oh man, they’re still warm.” I grabbed a plate from the kitchen then poured the beignets out, getting powdered sugar everywhere and not caring. This was how beignets were meant to be eaten—warm and covered with a shitload of powdered sugar.
“Fank oo,” I managed around a mouthful of pastry.
“And once you’re done, we can look through these.” He pulled a stack of brochures and pamphlets from the backpack and set them on the table—away from the sugar. “College catalogs. TPCC is fine for getting your basics, but you’re going to need doctorate-level education for the sort of research you want to do. That means, after a couple of years, you should attend a university with a strong undergrad biology program.”
“Have I told you lately that you’re the best?”
He chuckled and started to make coffee. “I think the kiss at the door covered that.”
I licked my fingers and poked through the stack. “These are from all around the country.” I looked over at him. “The thought of living somewhere else feels so weird. I’ve lived here my entire life. I know this place.”
“I get it. Same boat for me.” Nick started the coffeemaker then returned and fished a pamphlet from the stack. “That’s in Florida. Excellent biology program, and it just so happens to be where I was accepted to med school.”
I smiled up at him. “You decided to go for forensic pathology?”
“You helped me crystallize my goals.” He kissed me. “Two more years as a death investigator, then I’ll be ready.”
“Watch out, Florida. Here we come!” I grinned then sobered. “Still, the thought of moving away is more than a little terrifying.”
Nick bent down and kissed me. “You’ve faced down armed mercenaries and evil scientists. You jumped off a three-story building on purpose. I think you can handle this.”
“Sheesh. All right. But you’d better help me study for the college entrance exams.”
“You know it.”
My dad’s bedroom door opened, forestalling another round of kissing. As he shuffled into the kitchen, he gave Nick a bleary squint.
“Mornin
,’ Nick. Didja spend the night here?”
“No, sir. I brought beignets for you and Angel. Oh, and I brought in a package for you.”
“No shit?” He peered at the label then ripped it open. “Hot damn! Andrew done sent me the Swords and Swagger sequel!”
I checked the package. Yes, definitely addressed to my dad. “I’m not sure Andrew will have as much time to play, being the CEO and all.”
“Nah. That boy needs stress relief now more than ever.” He headed to the coffeemaker and poured himself a cup. “It’s such a purty morning, I think I’ll have my coffee outside. Give y’all a bit of privacy.” He winked at me then headed out to the back porch.
A mug smashed outside. “Jesus fuck!” my dad yelled.
I shot to my feet as he raced back inside. “Angel!” He gasped. “You got some visitors.”
“Huh?” I ran outside then stopped dead at the sight of Biggie and Tupac happily sunning themselves in my back yard.
“Holy crap,” Nick breathed. “They came all the way here? That has to be twenty or thirty miles!”
“Cole Bayou is at the back of this property,” I said, dashing tears of laughter away. “I guess they made their way through the swamp and down a series of waterways to get here.”
“That . . . is weirdly adorable.” He pulled me close. “Angel Crawford, I love you. And I even love your very weird pets.”
“I love you, Nick Galatas. And I promise they’ll be outside pets only. Imagine the litter box!”
