Page 80 of Creatures of Chaos

He smiles broadly when I use his first name without having to be told. “I was just helping your parents with their new security system that I’d recommended. You can’t be too careful these days. They invited me to stay for dinner and we just finished. I’m sorry you weren’t able to join. They mentioned you were out on a date.”

My parents are talking about my love life? How embarrassing. I’m going to have to let them know not to spreadthe news around though. I don’t want the dragon council finding out about us.

“I was with my friend Becks,” I say, neither confirming nor denying it was a date. “So which one of them cooked? Mom or Dad?” I ask, hoping to move the topic away from me.

He laughs because he’s aware what a wretched cook my dad is. “Your mother. It was delicious. In fact, we made sure to leave you a slice of your favorite cake.”

Yes. “I love her carrot cake. She hasn’t made it in ages.”

Even though I ate a full meal with Becks, and candy during the movie, my stomach still grumbles at the thought of Mom’s famous carrot cake. It’s dense and perfectly moist, with the lightest cream cheese frosting you’ve ever had. I’m glad they left me some because I know my dad can finish off almost the whole thing himself.

“Then it seems it’s your lucky day,” Mr. Brone says with a polite smile.

“It sure does,” I say and then turn toward the door, ready to race up the steps and claim that last slice of cake, when Mr. Brone asks politely, “How did your project go?”

“Oh. You mean about Shadow Striker?” I ask and he nods. “You know I actually took your advice and decided to drop it after all.”

“Really?” he asks, with a tilt of his head. “You seemed so determined to stick with that topic. What changed your mind?”

I shrug. “I hit a dead end. I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.”

“Hmm,” Mr. Brone says, his cordial smile slipping just a little. “Well, the Emporium’s library is always open to you if you need it for research.”

Guilt sours my gut when I remember that I still haven’t returned theDragon Shifter Lawbook I took from his library the last time I was there, and I make a mental note to take it back after I’m no longer grounded.

With a wave, Mr. Brone leaves and then I shoot up the stairs, going straight for the kitchen. The slice of carrot cake is waiting for me in the center of the table. After pouring myself a large glass of milk, I grab a fork and dig in. I’m on my second bite when my mom enters the kitchen, and seeing me, she sits down at the table with me.

“Like it?” she asks.

“Delicious,” I say after swallowing. “Seriously my favorite dessert on the planet. You should consider selling these to customers.”

She laughs at that because the idea of selling cake in a high-end antique shop is somewhat ridiculous. “I’m glad to hear you still like it. How was your day with Becks?” she asks with a twinkle in her eye.

“Good,” I say, and duck my head to hide my telling smile.

“I’ve been telling your father for ages that you two would be so cute together. I’m glad it finally happened.”

“Mom,” I complain, fully embarrassed now.

“What?” she asks, her face full of innocence.

I shake my head. “I saw Mr. Brone on the way in. Can you please at least keep the news between our family, at least for now.”

“Why ever so?”

I don’t want them to know about Becks’ life-mating. That’s his business, and if they find out he has to get betrothed in the next month and a half, they’re going to flip. But there is more than one reason why I don’t want our status circulating.

“Well, for one thing I don’t know that it’s going to work out between us,” I tell her honestly, my gaze unfocused on the half-eaten slice of cake in front of me. Confessing that out loud really makes it feel real, and my appetite starts to dim.

She frowns. “Why do you say that?”

I shrug. “We’re just so different. He has a lot of pressure not to be with a girl like me.”

“A girl like you?” she asks with a furrowed brow.

“Yeah, Mom, you know. . . . Becks is the dragon heir and I’m just . . .” I sigh. I don’t mean to beat myself up, but the facts are the facts. Magically speaking, I’m not on Becks’ level. And no matter what Becks says or what we want, that’s going to matter in the end.

“You’re just a kind, intelligent, and beautiful young girl any boy would be lucky to have,” my mom finishes for me when I fall silent.

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