Page 80 of Cookbooks and Demons

“It’s alright. It’s too late now, andI’m fine.”

Charlie nodded and accepted that, then looked up as Rafferty came once more through the kitchen door. He set two plates of quiche down in front of each of them, and Helena’s eyes popped out. “Rafferty,this is…”

“Breakfast,” he said, “Bonappetit.”

He moved to go back into the kitchen, but Charlie held up a hand to him. “I’m sorry. I came in here a hot mess, and I didn’t even introduce myself to you. I’m Charlie, Helena’s friend.”

Rafferty took his hand andshook it.

“You two actually met,” Helena admitted, her cheeks pinking up.

“Oh?” Charlie asked, looking quickly to her and then back to Rafferty, his eyebrows popping up as he realized it. “Oh, yes. You were the caterer that night. Oh man, your food is delicious. I swear to God, there had to be some magic in it because I had the biggest breakthrough on my golf game the next day. I had been plateauing for years, and after your dinner… It was amiracle.”

“It affects different people in different ways,” Rafferty said.

Charlie didn’t know how to take that, and Helena almost choked on air, but her friend just rolled with it. “Well it was delicious, and if you made this quiche, I’m guessing it’s going to be the same.”

“I’m glad you’re going to enjoy it,” Rafferty said and turned to go back into thekitchen.

“Oh,” Charlie said to his back. “Aren’t you joining us?” he tried to ask but Rafferty kept moving into the kitchen, so he redirected the question to Helena, “Isn’t he joining us?”

“Raffie, are you joining us?” she called after.

There was a pause. “Do you want me to?”

“Yes, get in here and eat breakfast with my friend.”

“Fine.”

She glanced back at Charlie, who finally had a proud, smug grin on his face. “What?”

“Cindy owes me $20,”he said.

“No, you did not bet on me hooking up with…” She indicated Rafferty, who picked that moment to come in with his plate and move to the seat at her right hand, oppositeCharlie.

“What’s not to like, Hel? Tall, dark, reasonably good-looking, and he can cook,” Charlie said blatantly as he watched Rafferty takehis seat.

“Yeah, but…” Helena tried to protest and then Rafferty held his hand out to her to take, and Charlie’s smug smile grew even deeper.

Trapped, Helena smiled, sighed, and took her boyfriend’s hand, cutting a slice of the quiche with her fork. The quiche was perfect, warm and savory, with bits of ham, finely diced green peppers, and cheese evenly mixed in. But she didn’t notice any of it. Only Charlie’s happy/sad smile as he took his first bite.

“How is it?” Rafferty asked. It was only then that a horrible thought came to Helena, and she shot him an alarmed look.

He looked back at her, pinching his brows together to ask, “What?”

She wiggled her fingers at the food, while making pointed eyes.Did you put magic in the food?she thought asked.

He pinched his fingers together a tiny amount.

Helena flared her eyes and nostrils athim.What?

It’ll be fine,he gestured and indicated Charlie with a nod of his head, who had indeed tucked into his quiche, eating calmly even as tears rolled down his cheeks.

Pursing her lips together, Helena did not feel convinced in the slightest. She leaned in, tugging on Rafferty to do the same, so she could whisper in his ear. “What did you do?”

He returned the whisper, pulling her hair back to clear her ear. “I wished him peace. He’ll be fine. The chances of something bad happening from that are incredibly low.”

She had to accept that; Charlie was already halfway through his quiche and the explanation of why he should throw it up involved explaining her demon summoning exploits. That was clearly one revelation too many at the moment.

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