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It wasn’t that simple, but before he could say anything, his brother’s mate padded into the kitchen yawning sleepily. She was a pretty little human, her eyes widening behind her black-framed glasses when she saw him. Looking between the two of them, she raised a self-conscious hand to her sleep-tousled hair.
“Oh, hi, Damian. I didn’t know you were here.”
“He’s just leaving,” Nakor said firmly, but she frowned at him.
“Don’t be so rude.”
Damian let a heavy sigh escape, mainly just to annoy Nakor, and gave Charlotte a soulful look.
“I just wanted to spend some time with my family.”
“I understand,” she said immediately. “Why don’t you stay for breakfast?”
He was tempted to say yes, but settled for another sigh.
“That’s all right. I know when I’m not wanted.”
“Of course you’re wanted. Tell him, Nakor.”
“No, you’re not,” his brother said bluntly, and Damian had to hide a smile at the annoyance on his face.
“Nakor!” Charlotte protested, but his brother simply reached out and tugged her against his side.
“Leave. I have plans for my mate.” Nakor hesitated, then reluctantly added, “Charlotte wants to go to the Winter Festival. If your female is there, you may introduce us.”
“Female? What female?” Charlotte’s eyes widened again. “Who is she?”
Since his brother was on the verge of exploding—and because he didn’t want to discuss Wendy—he smiled at Charlotte and headed for the door.
“Perhaps you’ll meet her,” he said vaguely.
“But—”
Charlotte’s protest ended abruptly, but he didn’t look back as he let himself out. Surprisingly, he actually felt a little better. If a reclusive loner like Nakor could find a mate…
I’m not looking for a mate, he reminded himself as he headed back to town, but he did want to spend more time with Wendy. A need that took on new urgency when he returned to Midnight Manor and found more damage. Every single bag of flour in the pantry seemed to have exploded, covering everything else with a haze of white dust.
“Maybe our ghost doesn’t like bread,” Cody suggested as he surveyed the chaos. “Hey! Maybe he’s gluten intolerant.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he snapped. “Go get something to clean up this mess.”
Cody did an excellent job of restoring the pantry to order—you couldn’t beat a brownie when it came to cleaning—and Damian made the mistake of assuming that the disasters were over for the day. They weren’t. Half an hour later, Nereus slipped and sprained his wrist. Jack was incandescent with rage and dinner service began in less than two hours. He did the only thing he could think of and called the inn.
CHAPTER 11
Apleasant sense of anticipation hummed through Wendy’s veins as she headed for the restaurant. Although she’d enjoyed spending the day with Alison—and she’d taken over the kitchen long enough to create an array of baked goods—she’d also spent a good bit of that time fighting the urge to go see Damian. Just to make sure everything was okay with the restaurant, she told herself.
Despite her eagerness, she’d almost reluctantly taken the phone when he called. She’d had the sudden sinking feeling that it was bad news. It was and it wasn’t. She felt sorry for Nereus, of course, but she had enjoyed her time in the kitchen the previous evening and really didn’t mind going back. She promised him she’d be right over as soon as she changed.
Her anticipation lasted until she walked into the kitchen. Damian was nowhere in sight, Jack was yelling at a helpless-looking Kai, Shelly was biting her nails, and Nereus kept trying to apologize. Horrible memories flooded over her and she almost turned around and walked back out again, but she had promised to help. That didn’t mean she couldn’t do it on her terms.
“Enough,” she snapped, and shockingly everyone shut up.
Jack scowled at her and opened his mouth, and she held up her hand.
“Stop right there. I’m here to help. I know how to work the line and I won’t challenge your authority, but in return I expect you not to yell—at me or anyone else—and no insults.”
He glared at her for a moment as she held her breath, but finally nodded.
