Page 29 of Midnight Whispers

When I enter the dining room that evening for dinner, I’m a little late, so I’m surprised to find Anabelle sitting alone.

“Where’s everyone else?” I ask, sliding into my seat.

“Asher got stuck on a call. Should join us soon. No idea where everyone else is.”

“Think Ash will be pissed if just the two of us dine together? Like a date?” I waggle my eyebrows.

Anabelle chuckles and shakes her head. “As much as you’d probably love to annoy your brother like that, I think he’ll be fine.”

I dish a few items onto my plate. “How’s married life by the way?” It feels a little awkward bringing up marriage, given that I too was supposed to be able to answer that question by now.

Anabelle pauses while cutting up her meat. “Pretty much the same as pre-married life, honestly.” She shrugs.

“So Asher’s still a miserable prick, and you’re still Suzie Sunshine.” I stab my salad with a fork.

Anabelle tilts her head as though I’m a misbehaving student, and she’s the teacher ready to discipline. “He’s not a prick. I like to think he’s… misunderstood most of the time.”

I laugh. “Sure, that’s it.”

Anabelle shakes her head. “How’s Cinder settling in?”

I try to refrain from showing emotion at the mention of Cinder’s name. “Haven’t seen that much of her, but fine.”

Anabelle frowns. “You haven’t spent any time with her?”

I shrug and reach for the wine bottle to fill my glass. “Why would I?”

She sets down her cutlery and leans back in her chair, her hands clasped together. “You wouldn’t have brought her to live here if you didn’t have some interest in her.”

I bring the wine glass to my lips, taking a large gulp to buy myself some time. Anabelle watches me intently, her eyebrows raised to let me know she’s waiting for me to answer.

I put down the wine glass and wipe my mouth with my napkin. “Maybe I was just being a good guy and trying to help out someone in need.”

My answer doesn’t appease her because she gives me a “yeah right” expression. “If that were the case, you could’ve given her some money and sent her on her way.”

Damn her, she has a good point.

“I’m trying to make sure things remain uncomplicated.”

Anabelle laughs. “Everything about love is complicated.”

I scoff. “Who said anything about love?”

She gives me another expression to say she doesn’t buy what I’m selling. “Maybe not yet, but maybe there’s the possibility it could grow between you two. I liked Cinder from the moment I met her at Black Magic Bar.”

What’s not to like? I’ve been obsessed with her since the moment I saw her at T&T’s, I think but don’t say.

“Just because you found your happily ever after doesn’t mean we’re all destined for the same.” I shove a mouthful of salad in my mouth, done with this conversation.

Anabelle must be able to tell, because we eat in silence for a few minutes.

“You know Cinder’s birthday is coming up in a couple days. She mentioned it when we were chatting at Black Magic.”

I don’t say anything but continue to eat my meal. I know her fucking birthday is coming up.

“It would be such a shame if she had to celebrate it on her own. In this big, strange house that she doesn’t know.” She lifts her wineglass to her lips. “Just saying.”

I know what she’s trying to do. I know, and yet damn it, it’s working. I hate the idea of Cinder feeling as if no one cares enough to acknowledge her birthday. Has anyone ever done something special on her birthday? Something tells me the answer is not in a very long time.

---