She talked to the hostess, who led us to a table for two toward the back of the restaurant.
After we were seated and before the hostess left, she patted my back. "It's good to see you here with someone."
I grunted an acknowledgement. The older woman had seen me come in alone for years. The time to move on had probably arrived. Maybe I'd move in the spring when Wynn left.
Earlier, Wynn asked about my eyes. Giving her a BS excuse about contacts had been easy enough. But they weren't contacts. My dark eyes were my only outward trait of demonhood. That and perpetual youth. I couldn't stay in one place for long.
I watched Wynn open the menu and bite her bottom lip as she considered what she wanted. I'd been here so often, I didn't even look at the menu.
I'd heard stories of demons falling for humans but I'd never believed them. Humans were so fragile and helpless; it made little sense that a demon would fall for them. Pets were more common than significant others. I'd never spent time with a human for that reason. I likedWynn, though. She made me laugh. Maybe we could stay friends after this clerical error was sorted — the error that appointed me her guardian demon rather than appointing a standard guardian angel.
Wynn’s previous guardian angel retired shortly after her move across the country and the new paperwork put her in my hands — my methods differed extremely from her last guardian’s. While the error was sorted, though, Wynn remained in my care. I had to take it seriously or I would get in trouble with the bosses — below and above.
The woman was going to learn to defend herself because we were not having a repeat of the attacks she described last night. As guardian, I would be summoned each time her life was in danger. But she had to still be alive when I arrived or I couldn't help her. The fact that Eston even still lived demonstrated the difference between angel guardian and demon guardian. A demon never would've let that man live, even if only because he was inconvenient. If I could get a last name out of Wynn, I might kill him anyway. Although how many Estons could there be in the United States? Maybe I could find him on my own. Nip him before he became a problem.
"What's good here?" Wynn asked without looking up from her menu.
"I always get the French Toast crepes."
"Oooh, Onnie has a sweet tooth."
I leaned forward and met her eyes over the menu. I could tell something about me affected her, but she wasn't afraid. That was unusual. I said, "Don't call me Onnie."
She ought to have had horns on her head when she smiled sweetly and said, "Our deal was that you wouldn'tcall me Wynnie and I would let you into my apartment. 'Onnie' never came up. I'll call you Onnie whenever I want."
Pride swelled in my chest. The woman could be as ruthless as a demon. And I hadn't even taught her anything yet. She was a natural.
"Touché," I said.
I was used to a solitary life as a demon. I saw my best friend occasionally but not often. I wondered how best to teach Wynn and remain distant. She, as a human, wouldn't want to be friendly with a demon.
The server appeared and took our order — two French Toast crepe breakfasts with sweet teas. She disappeared as quickly.
"What do you have planned for the rest of your day?" Wynn asked.
Besides searching online to see if I can find her ex? Planning various torture techniques to which I could subject him?
I said, "Nothing definite. I'm off today so I'll probably stay around home when we get back. You?"
"Same. Classes start Monday, and I bought groceries yesterday. I may explore, but odds are I'll stay in until classes start."
Good, less for me to worry about.
Our food arrived, and the server slid the plates in front of us. French Toast crepes with eggs and bacon alongside. I watched Wynn take her first bite of the crepes.
"Oh. My. God," she moaned. "This is so good!"
I smiled and took a bite of my food, the cinnamon and cream exploding on my tongue. I probably wouldn't get God involved, but it was damn good.
Wynn practically had a foodgasm by the time she finished her crepes. A smile tugged my lips as I watched her with amusement. Maybe I could keep her as a pet when this was over.
She didn't speak a word as she ate, her eyes fixed only on her plate. I ate in the silence, too, keeping a watchful eye on her.
When she finished the last bite, she looked up and stared at me for a moment before she said, "That was the best breakfast ever." Wynn seemed enchanted.
"Told you. Looks like I have to up my game for lunch."
Her eyes widened. "Can you?"