Page 17 of Lila

“A girl after my own heart.” I chuckle. “He didn’t get any magic from you?”

“Nope. He’s got his daddy’s siren powers.” She sighs. “It’s how he keeps running off his babysitters and why I need to find another one…again.”

“Oh, that’s perfect!” Lav exclaims, receiving puzzled looks from the two of us. “Lils just moved here. She needs a new job. And she’s great with kids! Grayson will love her. Plus she lives in the building now so it’s super convenient.”

I arch a brow at her as she applies for a job for me. A job that sounds like it will force me and my supposed mate together.

“I don’t know… I think I’d rather have her as a friend. If something happens and she quits, I’d lose more than just a babysitter. I need a friend more than I need a sitter.”

“Well, now you have me worried. What could this kid possibly do to get me to run away?”

“He uses his compelling power on people and makes them go away if he doesn’t like them.”

A sharp laugh bursts out of me and I cackle at the thought of a kid doing that. I wish I could do that. I finally calm down and catch my breath. “I think Grayson and I would make excellent friends. He sounds like my kind of person.”

“Told ya,” Lav smirks.

Does she know? Is hemyLuca? I try to ask her with my eyes, but she ignores me as the waitress stops at our table with three plates of honey garlic chicken. My mouth waters as the sweet garlicky aroma hits my nose. I take my first bite as soon as my plate is on the table.

“Ohmygod! This is so good,” I moan.

“Told ya,” Lav chirps as the waitress laughs and walks away. She sure has been saying that a lot since I got here.

It’s not until my plate is half empty that someone talks again. There’s no time for talking when there’s chickenthis goodin front of you.

“I-if you really want to…” Ann stammers. “I’m picking Gray up from the firehouse in the morning. We can meet you at Jewels Cafe. You can spend some time with him and then decide if you wanna give it a try or not. No hard feelings if it doesn’t work out,” she adds quickly before I can even say anything.

I don’t know for sure that this will lead me back to Luca, but I promised not to hide, so if it does, it was fate. Well, fateandLavender’s meddling. Ann could really use my help and Grayson sounds like an awesome kid. It’d be wrong to say no just because itmightlead me back to my supposed mate.

“I’d love to meet him. And absolutely. If I don’t think I can handle him for a long period, it won’t affect our budding friendship. I could use more than one of those, too.” I wink.

Chapter 13

Lila

Thenextmorning,Iroll out of bed and head straight for the bathroom and a hot shower. I didn’t sleep well last night, and I refuse to admit it had anything to do with missing Luca. The warm water feels good as it pelts down on my sore body. I’m not exactly used to having all-night sex-a-thons. Even two days later, I’m feeling it.

I dress quickly and head out to meet Ann.

“Where you going in such a hurry?”

“I’m running late. I don’t wanna keep Ann and Grayson waiting.”

“Well, I’m coming!” she announces as she grabs her bag and walks to the door.

“Uh. No. You’re not. You already did the application for me. I think I can do the interview by myself. Stop meddling.”

“I’m not meddling. I just want to see Grayson. I haven’t seen him in a while,” she prevaricates and I arch my brow. “Fine. I won’t go,” she pouts. “Do you remember how to get to Jewels?”

“Oh, crap. What was that app you used the other day? Mystic something…”

“Mystic Transit. Download that and you can get anywhere you need to go.”

“Thanks.” I search for the app and download it before opening it to set up my account. It doesn’t take long to order a ride and I’m rushing out the door calling my goodbyes over my shoulder.

By the time I get outside, the car’s waiting for me. I open the back door and smile when I see it’s Orson.

“Hey, Orson! How are you doing this morning?” I ask as he pulls away from the curb.

---