Page 29 of Starfall

Emery blushed. “Thanks for that. You look sexy and elegant as well. I also like the ice silver and gold in your hair.”

“Yeah, it happened when I let my starlight out. I thought yours would have manifested by now.”

“I am keeping things locked down, including my starlight. I really don’t need to look any more peculiar.” She touched her hair. “I let autumn come through on my hair a little.”

Orla smiled and snickered. “You know what that sounds like.”

“Oh, shut it.” Emery blushed.

Spring and Summer approached them. Emery looked to Orla, but she swished away with the cloaks and the puppy.Traitor.

“My lady, I know you are not with Winter. There is far too much warmth in you.”

She held up a hand and stopped Summer from continuing. “Ty, stow it. Robert, don’t start.”

They froze. Robert asked, “Ma’am, do we know you?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Sort of. Not in this form. You are two eggs over easy, four pieces of bacon extra crispy, and a glass of orange juice.” She turned to Ty. “Garden salad, six pieces of bacon, two cups of coffee, and a fruit salad.”

Robert let out a strangled, “Emery?”

“Just so.”

“But you look...”

“Like a dumpster in jeans? I believe that was your least flattering description of me.” She smiled and fluttered her lashes at him.

Rowen walked up, and she edged toward him. “Is something wrong?” His voice washed over her.

“Nope. Just two surprised customers and a change of heart.”

Rowen smiled. “You look lovely.”

“You have said that already.” She felt her lips curve upward in a shy smile.

“It bears repeating. Would you like to get something to drink? It is going to be a long night.”

“Sure. Is that what the pavilion thing is for?”

“It is. Winter always hires it.” He offered her his arm, and she moved close to him, wrapping her hand partially around his forearm.

Entering the pavilion, she murmured, “Thanks for the escape.”

“What was happening there?”

“Ty and Robert like to analyze women’s figures at my diner. I was no exception.”

“Ah, and they only saw the other you.”

“Yup. And were exceptionally insulting to every woman more than two percent over the optimum.”

“Including you.”

“Yeah. I really wanted to snap them like the twigs they are, but I couldn’t let them know I was listening from seventy-five feet away.” She sighed, and they walked toward a table where he got them glasses of mulled cider.

He sighed. “Were they really insulting?”

“Yeah. Really. You were never mean, but they were like teen girls bitching about everyone around them.” She smiled. “I am guessing that they don’t have large families and certainly no sisters.”

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