Page 24 of The Daughters of Nyx

filled with uncertainty, there was a spark of excitement hidden within. “Tell her I’m sorry.”

Adrian chanced a glance down at his phone and sucked in a breath. “I should leave now if I don’t want to be late.”

I nodded, and settled back into the darkness. “Have fun—but not too much. Turn on the charm, Your Highness.”

Adrian smacked my leg, though a nervous laugh passed his lips. His weight lifted off the bed, and he said nothing else as he grabbed one of the key cards from the bar and opened the door.

I could almost feel his eyes on me, and the hesitation as he stood there with the door open. But after a moment, he left with a heavy sigh, the door clicking shut behind him.

9

IVY

LATTE’D OUTwas quiet when I stepped through the front door. Three people worked the front of house, their cheerful faces strained as they looked up when the door closed. I offered them a smile, but took in the rest of the café; a stage in the back was set up for improv nights, and to my right, a small kitchen for their tiny menu exuded a sweet, homey scent. Round tables filled out the rest of the floor space, while fairy lights and hanging plants were above.

As my eyes danced over the five other patrons milling about, I frowned, disappointment swirling in my gut. No red hair to be seen. Two older men sat towards the back nursing coffees and empty plates. A woman in a suit sipped her drink while glaring down at her phone, and two teens wearing

private school uniforms giggled in the back corner, probably enjoying the free WIFI.

I checked my phone:3:05pmglared at me, overshadowing my hefty release schedule. I’d purposefully come in late, just to see if he would show up, fear stopping me from taking control.

Maybe I’d made a mistake in asking him to coffee. But he’d seemed sogenuinein his acceptance that I hadn’t thought much about it after.

Now, I was worried that he’d only said yes because of the others present in the room. That maybe he hadn’t been interested at all, and that he’d felt obligated to accept and was only going to let me down by not showing up.

God, that’s going to make hallway-small-talk awkward once he moves into Mr. Owens’s apartment. I shook my head as a text from Thea popped up.

THEA:how is it???

ME:he isn’t here

It took a couple of moments for her to respond, and when she did, a GIF of Elmo surrounded by flames appeared, followed by a slew of curses and messages.

THEA:he better be stuck in traffic or have been hit by a bus

THEA:if he doesn’t show up, I’ll spit in his food

THEA:he better be careful bc I KNOW WHERE HE LIVES

THEA:that fucker can kiss your ASS

I typed out a quick response and released a breath. This was definitely a bad idea. Why the hell had I put myself in this position in the first place?

Thankfully, I had my kindle in my bag. It didn’t really leave its little pouch, precisely for situations like this.

At the very least, I thought, starting for the front counter, I can make a dent in that new book I pre-ordered a month ago.I’d promised myself I wouldn’t touch it untilafterI finished my next book, but damn, I needed a pick me up, and smutty Regency romance with a side of time-travel and broody-banter would make this day a little better.

Before I could take another step, I felt a light tap on my shoulder. A bolt of electricity rushed through me, the same warmth I’d felt when we’d first met, running through my veins. Heart squeezing, I turned, expecting to find Rowan with his red hair windswept, hazel eyes apologetic, a smile on his full lips already open with an apology.

Instead, I blinked up at his blonde-haired friend; a sheepish, almost uncertain smile played at his lips, and he looked down at me with sincere, green eyes.

Without thinking, I took a step back. “Hi.”

“Hi.” He held out a bouquet of flowers; red roses, filled out with baby’s breath and cuttings from some other plant I couldn’t identify. I took it with a frown, though when I breathed in, the scent tickled the back of my nose, sweet and soft.

“You don’t actually know my name. I’m so sorry. Hi, I’m Adrian.” He stuck out his hand, and I accepted it warily. “Rowan was meant to meet you, and he really wanted to be here, but he has a migraine and those tend to debilitate him.

He wanted me to bring you flowers, I think to apologise, but also because he didreallywant to see you. And he couldn’t text you, because he doesn’t have your number, so he asked me to come out and tell you, and sorry, I’m rambling.” Adrian rubbed the back of his neck, cheeks reddening as his eyes trailed from me to the flowers.

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