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“It’s actually my favorite.” I grin at him and sip the wine, which is excellent. “This is quite the welcome.”
None of the cabins have formal dining rooms, of course; each has a kitchenette with a breakfast table, and there are larger picnic tables on all the decks. He has the sliding door to the back deck open, and the bistro lights I installed are on and twinkling, mingling with the fireflies in the woods that surround the back of our two cabins. Lazy instrumental jazz is playing on a Bluetooth speaker.
“Wow, it looks great out there. And something smells delicious,” I say.
“Thanks. It’s simple, but I hope you enjoy it.”
“What are we having?”
“Cheese pizza, garlic bread, and salad. With a chocolate almond torte for dessert.”
“Ooh, sounds delicious. And very Italian.”
“I appreciate a theme,” he says with a smile. “Please, have a seat.” He gestures to the table on the deck. “I’ll join you in just a moment.”
The table is already set with plates, bowls, silverware, and napkins. A fat white candle flickers between the two place settings. Not a bad spread for a dude who seems to be a bachelor. There’s nothing I appreciate more than a guy who’s a legitman. A man who can cook, do his own laundry, work a nice suit, take care of himself, etc. That kind of independence and maturity is fucking sexy. Toss in that musical accent of his? Hoo boy. I fan myself off with my hand.
Down, girl.
True to his word, he comes out a moment later, carrying a salad bowl and a plate of bread.
“Can I help?” I ask.
“I’ve got it. Just have to grab the pizza.”
Once he’s settled, we serve ourselves. I start with the salad, just so I’ll feel less guilty when I eat all the bread, cheese, and torte that are waiting for me. I needsomenutrition in my meals, after all. I’d be perfectly happy living on donuts, and thanks to my metabolism, I probably wouldn’t even gain that much weight. But because I care about being healthy, ugh, I do try to eat something green every day. And work out when I can find the time.
“Are you going to see the fireworks tonight?” I ask.
He shrugs. “I don’t think so. I’ll probably head to bed early.”
Disappointment tugs at my belly. That’s not very festive of him. Then again, based on the accent, he’s not American. Maybe he doesn’t care about the holiday.
“Well, I’m heading into town at a little before 8:00 if you change your mind and want a ride. I have to be there. My cousin is the mayor, and all the Bishops are expected to attend,” I explain. “I have it on good authority that tonight’s show is going to be spectacular. Griffin apparently allocated a big budget for fireworks this year. I’ll even share my blanket with you.”
“Thanks,” he says. “I appreciate the offer, truly, but I’m feeling a little tired.”
“Of course,” I say. He probably traveled yesterday and then he spent today in the sun and the water. Naturally, he’s feeling a little worn out. And not everyone is into the Fourth of July pyrotechnics thing. I like it, but it’s hard to get excited when you’re forced to attend year after year.
At this very moment, I wish I weren’t obligated to go. Fireworks are great and all, but I’d rather linger here over Italian food and wine and see where the evening takes me. Like maybe to Wick’s bedroom. Something in my gut tells me the fireworks there would be even more dazzling.
And my gut is never wrong.
* * *
WICKHAM
Though I learned to use a stove and oven decades ago, it has been many years since I’ve prepared food, much less cooked food. Fortunately, this fare is simple and came with clear instructions, and what I couldn’t figure out, I used magic to create.
Dining with Haven is my chance to understand what has been happening: Why the humans have abandoned the old ways, and with them their agreement with the Lady. Why Haven has decided to draw more humans than ever to the lake. How it was polluted and how she managed to clean it up. What the man I killed a few weeks ago was doing out here.
However, I do not think I can ask her these questions directly. Although I sense that she is trustworthy, I cannot risk her becoming defensive, or worse, lying to me. I must coax the information from her. Though I dislike deception, I have learned that it is a necessary tool when dealing with her kind. Humans have words for what I must do, ones the Lady reminded me of before I came: flirt. And if necessary, seduce.
I have never mated with a human before. It might be an interesting experience, especially with one as interesting and physically appealing as Haven, but I cannot be distracted by lust. As much as I might like to be.
“Tell me about this resort,” I encourage, pouring more wine into her glass.
“What do you want to know?”
