"Look at you trying to be funny. I'm going to go shower."
"Feel better?" Krista asked, looking up from her chaise lounge in the corner of the living room where she was writing.
"A little," I said, not worried about my aggravation with Haniel. It seemed inevitable that we'd always have a love/hate relationship. I loved that he was a cool mentor, but I hated that he continued to treat me like a little kid. If I hadn't won his trust by now, it was unlikely I ever would.
"Where did Haniel take you?" Krista asked as she curled up her legs so I could sit on the foot of her chaise lounge.
"Inukjuak, Quebec."
"Ooh, we've never made it up to that region. How was it?"
"Beautiful. Lush hills, like, as far as the eye can see. It had a definite tranquil feel to it."
"Maybe your uncle and I will have to pop up there one afternoon," she said, taking in my shining eyes as I described it.
"You totally should. You guys should take a picnic up there or something. It's an amazing place to see."
"That sounds like a great idea. It's been awhile since we've had some time to ourselves."
"Hey, it wasn't my idea for you guys to lock me away like some fair maiden."
"We were just trying to protect you since you seemed hell-bent on defying us," she said, smiling at me to soften her words.
"I know," I said, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'm going to go shower. What did you guys decide to order for dinner?"
"Well, since it's really just the three of us, since your friend Emrys and Haniel don't eat, we decided to go with cold cuts from Joe's Deli. We figured keeping it casual would help make it less awkward."
"Right, because eating in front of an Archangel and a Soul Trader won't be awkward enough," I quipped before heading off toward my bathroom.
"Keyword was 'less' awkward," Krista called after me, laughing.
Despite myself, I laughed with her as I closed the bathroom door behind me.
***
Two hours later, laughter was the furthest thing from my mind as I perched on the edge of the sofa in the living room, trying not to fidget. I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans for like the millionth time as I once again checked the time on my phone. In all my ignorance on the proper rules of dating, I'd neglected to nail down a time when I mentioned the family dinner to Emrys. It was twenty-seven minutes past five and Emrys was still absent. I tossed my phone on the couch beside me in frustration, vowing I wouldn't pick it up again for at least ten minutes.
Mark and Krista seemed oblivious to my agitation as they sat reading in their respective chairs. I watched them for a moment, admiring their ease. The phone sat where I had thrown it, taunting me. I couldn't help snatching it up again, forgetting my vow.
Five twenty-eight. "Damn."
I was literally in slow-time hell. I contemplated calling information like a dork to make sure the time was right on my phone, but Mark and Krista would think I was wacked. Tossing the phone back on the couch, a sudden thought dawned on me, making me hop to my feet. Maybe Emrys was here but was waiting for me outside, I thought as I strode toward the French doors.
"Your aunt would have told you if he was out there," Mark teased from behind me.
Damn, I'd forgotten about her built-in radar system.
"What time did you tell your friend to come over?" Krista asked, looking up from her Kindle.
"Um…" I started to say just as the doorbell rang. "Five thirty," I lied, saved by the bell.
"I'll get it," I said lamely, ignoring Mark's chuckles behind me.
"Behave," I heard Krista mutter to him as I pulled open the front door.
All breath escaped me when I took in Emrys's appearance. Emrys in jeans and a leather jacket equaled hot. Emrys in slacks and a button-down shirt equaled scorching.
CHAPTER TWELVE