Page 23 of Sprite Wedding
I exhaled. “It happened again.”
Cassandra’s eyes widened. “Dancing on a table in public?”
“Not exactly,” I explained. “He returned to the club where he used to dance and texted me to come meet him. After I got there, he performed some of his previous acts.”
“That must have been”—Cassandra’s lips quirked, and her eyes twinkled—“a sight to see.”
Indeed it was. She knew of Lucas’s past as an exotic dancer before he joined the Network. Some of the staff ribbed him at times with good-natured teasing, which he took in stride. Nothing ruffled Lucas’s feathers—or scales. Yet this situation definitely seemed to get under them. And why wouldn’t it? I’d be greatly disturbed if I’d create a scene like that.
I explained to Cassandra about what happened at the club, leaving out the part of the proposal. Since I wasn’t sure what to make of that yet, or how Lucas would feel about me sharing that aspect, it was best to keep that private for now.
“What do you think’s going on?” I asked her.
“Tough to say,” she replied. “I mean, it made sense that the sprites could have been involved that day you left Bermuda, but then that explanation falls apart with you being far from them.” She huffed. “Another possibility is he ingested something both times.”
“Right. We went over his food and drink intake and couldn’t think of anything that could be associated with it.”
“Is he here?” Cassandra asked.
“He’ll be in later this morning,” I explained. “He’s working in the garden.”
Lucas spent a lot of time gardening at home or at the greenhouse here in the Network. When I headed out on an investigation, he often accompanied me. I was used to conducting these myself, but it was definitely more enjoyable with him around, especially during long, boring hours of a stakeout. That’s how he’d gotten started here at the Network. He’d volunteered to help me on a case. I hadn’t been enthusiastic at first, but his charming personality won me over. And then he was key in stopping the demons and sirens.
“I’ll talk to him when he gets in and find out more,” Cassandra said.
I distracted myself with work. Then I received a call from an unfamiliar number.
“Hi, Zoe, it’s me, Bryan.”
My stomach sank. I was hoping to put our brief encounter on the cruise behind me. It was bad enough that he’d helped me after I fell and then witnessed Lucas’s dance on the table. What could he be calling about now?
“This is a surprise,” I replied, attempting to keep my tone neutral.
“I did some sightseeing in Boston. Now I thought I’d take a detour through Salem on my way home. Are you free to meet me for dinner tonight?”
My warning antennae rose. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. You know I’m with Lucas.”
“It’s just a dinner between old friends,” Bryan persisted. “No agenda.”
Why did I get the sense that he wasn’t telling the truth? “I’m afraid that won’t work for me. Maybe another time?” I winced, closing my eyes. Why did I have to add that last part? That might encourage him, which was not what I’d intended at all.
“Sure,” he replied. “How about tomorrow night? Lunch or dinner?”
“I thought you were swinging by Salem on the way back to Maine?”
“I am but not in any rush. I could book a hotel. After all, the Network could help me with that, correct?”
They could. We had a list of establishments in the area who could accommodate supernaturals. “Sure. I’m pretty busy with work after being away for vacation.”
“Are you trying to avoid me, Zoe?” he asked in a playful tone.
“It was good seeing you again,” I replied, eager to end this conversation. “But I have to get back to work.”
After I ended the call, I exhaled and leaned back in my chair. I had managed to avoid making plans. Hopefully, that was the last time Bryan would contact me.
LUCAS
The doorbell rang. I put my spoon down, hoping to deal with whoever it was quickly so I could return to my sugary cereal. I strode to the door and glanced through the peephole. It was a woman I recognized. Her long dark hair was set in waves, and she wore a tight black dress that revealed plenty of her abundant cleavage. Linda.
