Page 89 of Hallows End

“You don’t have to sell him on her,” I mutter, ready to start giggling as Breena sets the mug in front of Giles and then returns to her seat to continue eating her own breakfast.

“I didn’t mean to mooch breakfast off you,” Giles says but keeps shoveling in the food. “I just had to come over and make sure you were okay.”

“I’m great.” Breena smiles brightly. “Thank you for checking, though. It’s sweet of you.”

“Sweet of me,” Giles mutters and shakes his head.

“Was itnotsweet?” I ask and tip my head to the side, fascinated by the two of them. The push and pull between them is just…sexy as hell.

“I think it’s sweet.” Lorelei gives Giles a smile that has the man narrowing his eyes behind his black-rimmed glasses.

“We’re meeting with the others tonight,” Breena says, doing her best to ignore all of us. “Samhain is only two days away. It makes sense that things are starting to ramp up and get creepier. Something is trying to scare us.”

“Doing a good job of it, too,” Giles mutters.

“I didn’t like that walk home last night,” I agree. “The air was just…chargedwith something that didn’t feel right.”

“It’s been that way for days,” Giles says and pushes away his empty plate.

“You know, we’d usually be getting ready for fun parties in town and our coven celebration for Samhain. This year, we’re trying to stop evil and lift a curse,” Lorelei says. “There’s never a dull moment around here.”

“It’s not funny,” Giles says, but his hands have stopped shaking, and his eyes don’t look quite so drawn. “All three of you could be at risk.”

“I’m the one it’s targeted this year,” I remind him, but Giles shakes his head.

“We don’t know that for certain,” he says. “Yes, you’re the one it’s messed with the most, but it could be smoke and mirrors for all we know.”

“Well, I’m glad that we’re meeting with the others tonight.” Breena nods. “I’m going to bring a big charcuterie board with me. I think that sounds easy and fun.”

I press my lips together so I don’t giggle when Giles just stares at Breena as if she just said she’d like to commit arson on her way to the meeting.

“You’re thinking aboutfood?” he demands.

“I mean, I mostly only think about food,” Lorelei says. “So I appreciate a good charcuterie board.”

“Same,” I agree with a nod. “I’ll bring some edible flowers from the garden to make it extra pretty.”

“Oh, how lovely,” Breena says with a grin. “I love that.”

“We’re discussing murder tonight,” Giles reminds the room. “In case anyone forgot.”

“We have to eat,” Breena says with patience. “It might as well be pretty food.”

“Sure, why not?” Giles asks. “Should we dress up, too? I probably have a tux shoved in the back of my closet from someone’s wedding ten years ago.”

“That would be nice,” Breena replies, and Lorelei and I have to cover our mouths with our hands to keep from cackling. “From what I remember, you look handsome in a tux.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

Breena simply smiles serenely, and Giles swears under his breath. “Thanks for the pancakes,” he mutters as he stands.

“You’re welcome.” Breena follows him to the door, and before he can walk outside, she tugs on his arm to stop him. “Thank you. Seriously, thank you for coming to check on me this morning. It means a lot.”

“I came for myself as much as for you.” He pulls her in once more, but the hug is gentler now, less urgent.

No less sweet, though.

“I’m okay,” I hear Breena whisper against his chest. “See you later.”

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