Page 16 of Starfall

“Meg is my youngest sister. She was two when I was selected, and as I got up and running, she grafted herself onto me.”

Meg paused, “Emery, can you eat more?”

“Uh, without wanting to draw criticism, yeah. I don’t get full.”

“Cool. I will be right back.”

Rowen snorted. “She’s either going to bring you a huge sundae or banana pudding.”

Meg returned a moment later. “Here you go. If you can eat this, my parents will be here proposing to you themselves.”

Rowen snorted. “That isn’t an actual family tradition.”

“No, but I think it would be cool.” Meg grinned. “It could become a weird myth in the town. So, how do you two know each other?”

Emery was looking for the best point of attack. It looked like a banana pudding base with a sundae top. She could do this. “He came into the diner to grab one of his clients who was trying to ruin his good work with a tray of cinnamon buns and milkshakes. He called me a carb peddler, and I called him an over-inflated bully.”

Rowen smiled. “It wasn’t true love, but I was intrigued.”

She began to attack the dessert, and Meg’s eyes widened. “Wow.”

Emery heard the siblings talking but kept eating. It was good, fluffy and sweet, cool and warm. When it was done, she wiped her mouth and sipped at her lemon water. “That was lovely.”

Rowen grinned. “Do not consider this an insult, but that was a dessert for three people.”

“I know. The problem with being what I am is that I am hungry most of the time.” She shrugged. “Nothing really sates it, but I like eating.”

Meg blinked. “What are you?”

“A conversation for another day.”

Rowen asked Meg, “Are you coming tonight?”

“Of course. Winter’s parties are not to be missed.” Meg smiled at Emery. “You are going to be there?”

“Probably not. I don’t really run in those circles.”

Rowen sighed. “You should have gotten your invitation already.”

Emery carefully reached into her purse and pulled out her phone. The invitation was there in an email from Orla. “Huh. There it is. Now I have to get a dress.”

Meg chuckled. “Don’t you have anything?”

“Not for this height. No. I haven’t gone out like this for years. I don’t attend many formal events that don’t involve a lot of leather.”

Rowen grinned. “Do tell.”

“Shut it. I need to go shopping.” She went through three wet wipes clearing her hands.

“Let’s go then.”

“What?”

Meg chuckled. “He has four sisters. He’s fun to shop with.”

Emery paused. “Don’t you have to go lift something? Or lunge at something?”

He chuckled. “Like you, I have staff that can manage things.”

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