Page 58 of Starry with a Chance of Nightshade

A small chuckle came from me, partly from nerves and partly because my hormones decided now was a great time to wake up, rush to my brain, and suck the oxygen from it.

Yolanda came out from the back office area. “Astria, Michael is stopping by for your keys. And you mentioned chickening out over staying at the place you’d lined up. I gave that some thought and put a call in to a friend. They might have a room opening. I’m staying with Michael right now while my place is being renovated, or I’d offer up my spare room.”

I teared up again at her kindness, even if she’d not been able to find me a place to stay. She’d tried. That was more than most would do. “Thank you so much. And please thank Michael for me too.”

Peggy put a hand on her hip. “You don’t have a place to stay?”

“I’m working on it,” said Yolanda.

“Wasn’t asking you,” returned her grandmother. “I was talking to Star Child.”

Everyone looked at me, making me want to crawl under the nearest table.

Torid wrapped around me for a second in the most unnatural of ways, doing his version of a hug.Loves y-you.

I loved him too.

“I have somewhere,” I whispered. “I’m fine on that front. Really. It’s just the house I’m renting is kind of big, old, and, well…creepy.”

That wasn’t a total lie. I did leave the bit off about demons, monsters, shadows, and robed guys attacking me and my friends the last time I set foot in it. Seemed like a lot to toss at people I’d just met. Especially humans.

Peggy took a deep breath. “I see. And my grandson is picking up keys from you why?”

“Because he’s going to give her car a good look over,” said Yolanda.

Peggy glanced at her. “Thank you, dear, but again, I was talking to Star Child.”

Yolanda cast me an “I’m sorry” look.

Torid released me but stayed close.

Peggy focused on me once more. “That means he’ll have your car for a while.”

I nodded, not understanding where she was going with this, but wishing she’d stop. Everyone was still looking at me.

“You’ll need a way to get around. Someone to drive you,” said Peggy.

Jeffrey lifted a hand, his gaze on me. “I can leave the bar anytime. Just let me know. I can run you anywhere you need to go. Before you worry, I’m not a serial killer or anything.”

Dana rubbed her temple. “Hon, if she wasn’t thinking that before, you’ve now put it in her head as a worry. But thanks for offering to drive her where she needs to go. Good boy.”

“Did it earn me brownie points?” he asked with a suggestive grin.

She winked. “It did.”

“Can I cash those brownie points in later tonight?” he asked.

She licked her lips. “You can.”

Jeffrey’s mother shook her head and laughed.

“Me,” said Stratton. “I’ll do her. I mean, do it—I’ll take Star Child, erm, Astria anywhere she needs to go.”

ChapterTwenty-One

Astria

I stared at Stratton,positive his response was simply a slip of the tongue. The fact they were all so willing to help me left me an emotional puddle.

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