Page 48 of My Haven
“What about men?” Arlo asked.
Meryn became thoughtful. “Not sure.”
“What do you mean by creepy?” Genevieve asked for clarification.
“You’ll see,” Meryn promised. “Ryuu, help me back to my front row seat. I want to see what Caiden does next.” The man placed a hand on her back and steered her back to where she was sitting.
“Goodbye, I guess?” Arlo said.
Pip smiled. “She didn’t say goodbye, because she’s sure she’ll see you both later,” he explained.
Behind them a tall, impossibly handsome, blond walked up holding a cocktail. He handed it to her. “This is the special treat Pip wanted you to try.”
“Hello,” Arlo said, staring up at the man. “My name is Arlo Sommer, and you are?”
The man inclined his head. “My name is Balder. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“Seeing anyone?” Arlo asked.
The man smiled gently. “No, but I am also not on the market. I am taking a break from dating for a while.”
“That’s criminal,” Arlo said.
“I thank you for your kind sentiment,” Balder said, before inclining his head and returning to the kitchen.
“Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink,” Arlo said, in a tragic voice.
“Are you thirsty?” Pip asked, innocently.
Genevieve cackled, causing Arlo to shoot her a nasty look. “I’m fine Pip, just lamenting the fact that I’m single.”
Pip thought it over. “You like boys, right?” he asked.
Arlo’s eyebrows went up in surprise. “And girls,” he clarified.
Pip stared. “You can do that?”
Arlo nodded. “Why limit yourself?”
“That’s so cool!” Pip exclaimed. “I wanna do that.”
“You do you, lil’ guy.”
Pip turned and shouted to Meryn. “I’m gonna like boys and girls!”
She just gave him a thumbs up.
He looked back at them. “I gotta go greet the new table, but I’ll check in on you later,” he promised.
Arlo watched him walk away, a sorrowful expression on his face. “He was accepted, just like that,” he murmured.
She reached over and took his hand. “As are you, with the family that counts.”
“Meaning you and Mike,” he said, squeezing her hand.
“Of course.”
After Pip left, Nigel brought out the Vegetable Medley, which burst with freshness. She was actually sad when she finished hers. Each course that followed, surprised her in different ways. The soup was creamy but not heavy. The tomato flavor came through as if she were eating one straight from the vine. As promised, the sparkling water was so refreshing it was as if they had dipped the glass into a glacial melt. Ice cold and an odd compliment to a warm soup.
