Page 22 of Bewitching the Dragon
Argyle smoothed his hand over his bald head and then ran it over his face before finally saying, “Your aunt. Pacey. She sent me here. Said the bathtub was leaking.”
“Oh.” Becca relaxed her stance. “She didn’t mention anything to me about it. But, well, thank you. Sorry you had to come over on a Saturday evening.”
“It’s no problem.” He sniffed the air. “Is that ham and pineapple?”
Becca nodded. “My favorite.”
“Mine too.”
Rahu glared at the gargoyle.
“Would you like a slice?” Becca asked and then glanced at Rahu. “I’m sure there’s enough for him to have a slice, isn’t there?”
What was he supposed to say?No, hell no, get the hell out because I want to kiss your daughter?
Didn’t seem appropriate. Of course, neither was impersonating a plumber so a guilt-ridden, absentee father could interrupt their quiet evening at home, either. Did Argyle even know anything about fixing leaky faucets?
“Thank you,” Argyle said, apparently taking his non-answer as acquiescing. Rahu narrowed his eyes.
While Argyle devoured two slices of pizza like it really was his favorite, Becca tugged the wine from Rahu’s grasp, opened it, and poured three glasses. “I assume you’re off the clock for the evening?” she asked.
What was it with southerners and their insistence on being nice to every damn person who crossed their path?
“I am,” Argyle said, accepting one of the glasses. “Thank you.” He took a sip and then said, “So what are the plans for this evening?”
“We’re going to watch a movie,” Becca said brightly.
“Something exciting and full of action, like aStar Warsflick, I’m guessing?” Argyle said mildly before taking another bite of pizza.
Rahu had been planning to dial up50 First Dates, actually.
“I loveStar Wars,” Becca said. “I have them all on DVD.”
“Oh yeah?” Argyle said, beaming at Becca. “Me too.”
If that gargoyle finagled a way to convince Becca to invite him to stay…
A noise from the living room drew everyone’s attention. A moment later, Pacey opened the sliding glass door and stepped into the room. “Hey, Rebecca, are you—? Oh. Hello.” She pulled up short. Their little trio standing in the kitchen, eating pizza and drinking wine probably looked like a casual get-together instead of the infuriating circumstance it really was.
“Argyle,” Pacey said, her brows furrowing as she scanning him from head to toe. Probably wondering why the hell he was dressed like a plumber. “What are you doing here?”
The gargoyle nodded at the wrench he’d placed on the counter. “Fixing the leak in the shower, remember?”
Pacey hesitated and then said, “Oh, right. Of course,” and Rahu knew she was lying. They hadn’t planned this; Argyle had deliberately inserted himself into the situation, probably because he knew damn well what Rahu’s intentions were. Annoying as fuck because honestly, the guy should be out looking for evil-intending warlocks, not worrying about whether Rahu stood a chance of getting to second base with his daughter.
“You didn’t have to make him come over on a Saturday,” Becca said.
“I-I didn’t,” Pacey said. “He, um, said he’d get to it when he had a chance. I guess he had the chance today.” She nodded at Rahu. “What are you doing here? Are you helping him with the leaky faucet?”
“Nope. I was, until you two showed up, about to have a date with your niece.”
It was almost amusing watching the two of them react. Argyle, of course, had to keep his outrage toned down lest Becca wonder why the hell a supposed stranger would be so upset over her dating life. Pacey could react all she wanted, although when Becca asked her why in the world she was being so dramatic, Rahu rocked on his heels and crossed his arms and waited, curious as hell as to what her answer might be.
Because he’s a dragonwould be a natural answer if Becca actually knew she wasn’t human, of course. Although, honestly, that was a lousy response even if she did know, and besides, Becca wasn’t the only half-breed in this room, making the dragon comment a moot point.
“Think about your goals,” Pacey said instead. “He’s from Detroit, Rebecca. You’re about to start a new career. Don’t blow it for a man.”
Ouch.Rahu winced. And besides, she was jumping the gun a bit. Becca had been passed out the first time Rahu had ever encountered her, so, technically, they’d been acquaintances for only a whopping forty-eight hours. Hardly long enough to warrant worry over throwing away her future for some guy.
