Page 56 of Magic and Muffins

Shepard sighed. “Do you have any other news to share?”

“Nope.” She continued to stand at the end of the bed, not taking the hint.

“Go away, Vena,” I said.

She grinned, blew me a kiss, and said, “I’ll send Cross in so you three can work on your cuddle puddle.”

“Our what?” Shepard asked, but she was already out the door.

“Cross is still home?” I asked.

“Yeah. He gave up his spot to work on a few things when I got here and make us breakfast.”

The words were barely out of his mouth when the door opened and Cross walked in carrying two plates.

“Breakfast is served, my darlings.”

Shepard grumbled something as I sat up. Whatever it was had Cross grinning and reminded me of the moments before the show started yesterday.

“What did you tell Shepard yesterday before the show started that made his eyes turn gold?”

“How sweet the scent of your desire was when you saw him in a suit and that you’d worn the blue lace panty set he’d picked out.”

Shepard’s hand skimmed over my lower back, and I felt him tug on my sleep shorts to check. He groaned and told Cross to come back later. I quickly reached for the omelette he’d made me.

Laughing, Cross handed it over. “And deny Everly nourishment? Never.”

“I heard Vena tell you the good news,” Cross said, handing Shepard his plate as he sat up. “We’re officially a couple.”

“That’s not good news. Why do humans accept lies so readily? You should have kept your lips to yourself.”

Cross looked at me. “And what do you think? Should I have kept my lips to myself?”

“I think you attempted to save an unsalvageable interview. When’s the next interview? Please tell me it won’t be the same lady again.”

“Hugh is still working on when, but it’ll be Denise again,” Shepard said around a bite of his food. “Hugh claims he’s been assured it won’t be another attack.”

I thought about it and shook my head. “You embarrassed her yesterday, and she was mad when you walked out. I’m betting she’s holding a grudge.”

“I agree,” Cross said.

“Vena thinks you guys should stop trying to convince the public of the vampire threat. And I agree. I think you need to convince them with your actions. Maybe not more kissing, though. But if you do, Vena will want to post about it on your fan page.”

“What do you have in mind?” Cross asked, sitting on the edge of the mattress next to Shepard. I caught Shepard’s side glance and knew Cross was purposely provoking him.

“You and Shepard shared a lot about the dangers of vampires yesterday. But you missed a very key trait. Hugh needs to make sure this next show is live so nothing can be edited out. Then, once you’re on the air, you need to compel Denise.”

“I like the way you think,” Cross said.

“I’ll let Hugh know,” Shepard said. He reached over to set his plate down and grabbed his phone from the nightstand to call the liaison.

Situating myself better, I dug into the omelette. “Thank you, Cross.”

“My pleasure.”

“Do I get one?” Vena asked, peeking back inside the bedroom.

“Anchor is already making you one,” Cross said.

---