Chapter Nine

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Warrick practically skipped to his shop early the next morning. Even though he hadn’t expected to, he’d slept like the dead. That was a favorite saying of his brother, who tried out vampire humor at every opportunity. Viktor was like a lawyer who couldn’t resist collecting lawyer jokes.

Warrick was willing to admit he was uncharacteristically giddy this morning. And he was in love with Bianca Forrester. She was the first thought in his head when he woke up. The only question he cared to think about was how Bianca felt upon waking in the morning light, especially about him.

He opened his showroom and entered, putting the old-fashioned sign in the front window from closed to open, and headed straight for his workshop. He needed to finish the cheval mirror, as it was due for his client in a few days. All he needed was to preserve the wood, insert the mirror, wrap it up and deliver it.

Before he started his day, Warrick checked his phone messages. Viktor had left one the night before. He listened, but the only thing his brother said was, “Hey, Bro, I just found something out that you need to know. Call me tomorrow night and I’ll tell all.”

Warrick put his phone away and got to work on the cheval mirror, setting an alarm on his phone to ensure he made it to Mummy’s Diner on time to meet Bianca.

The morning’s work went by quickly and before he knew it the alarm on his phone sounded. He put the finishing touches on the cheval mirror to seal his dragon-kissed design. After lunch, he would apply the sealant. It needed a whole day to dry completely. Then he would insert the mirror, make all the finishing touches and get it ready for delivery.

Warrick did his best not to fast walk to Mummy’s Diner, but it wasn’t easy.

He was more than ten minutes early. He scanned the diner, but didn’t see Bianca anywhere. He got a table for two near the front window and waited, not very patiently. At exactly twelve o’clock, the door opened and Bianca stepped inside. He watched her search the room with her gaze. Her eyes found his and her expression, along with her whole body, seemed to light up. Like every wish she’d ever uttered had just been granted. Warrick stood up and gave her a little finger wave, smiling like a fool because he was so happy to see her.

When she got close enough to hear him, he said, “Hey, good to see you. I’m glad you made it.”

Bianca launched herself at him and hugged him tight, burying her face in his throat. “I missed you so much.”

Warrick hugged her back, kissed her forehead and directed her to the chair across from his. She sat, but didn’t let go of his hand.

“I didn’t sleep at all last night,” she said. “And I’m not sure I haven’t had enough coffee yet to be coherent.”

“Interesting. I slept like it was my job. But my first thought this morning was of you.”

“I thought of you all night as I was tossing and turning. And again this morning when I staggered out of bed.”

“Are you awake enough to order food or should I order for you?” Warrick said.

“That depends. What are you going to order for me?”

“Blueberry pancakes, of course.”

Bianca nodded. “That’s what I get every time I come here.”

“That’s because you have great taste.”

They each ordered a big stack of blueberry pancakes, even though it was lunchtime. Apparently, today’s waitress didn’t make any inappropriate mental suggestions, because Bianca simply smiled at her.

They had steaming pancakes in front of them with a side of bacon to share in no time. In between luscious bites of pancakes laden with syrup, they chatted about innocuous things. He told her about the cheval mirror he was finishing in his workshop. She told him that after lunch, she had to go meet her boss, even though it was her day off.

“What do you think he wants?” Warrick asked.

“I have no earthly idea.”

“That’s funny.”

She grinned. “Oh, because an alien wouldn’t have an earthly idea, is that it?”

Warrick grinned. “I’m just sayin’ that was funny.”

After they made very large dents in their stacks of pancakes, Warrick took a leap of faith. “How do you feel about me this morning? Or rather, this afternoon?”

Bianca pushed her plate away to fold her arms on the table and lean forward. “The truth is, I still long for you. Nothing has changed. I couldn’t wait to see you today. I feel a little like a foolish schoolgirl in love with the popular boy at school. But there you have it.”

“I’m not gonna lie. I feel a little punch-drunk myself and I even slept. I want to keep seeing you, but given our volatile feelings for each other, I’m certainly willing to take things as slow as you wish to go.”

Bianca’s eyes glowed. “That’s because you’re perfect.”

Warrick shook his head. “I’m so not perfect.”

“I’ll bet your mother thinks you’re perfect.”

“Touché, but I bet your mother thinks the same thing about you.”

“I know she wants me to get married as soon as possible, but until I met you it wasn’t really at the top of my list of things to do.”

“Wait a minute. You’re trying to lure me into marriage?”

“Oh my gosh! You have found me out. Now you know that I psychically forced you to propose to me yesterday in front of a witness and family member.” She laughed out loud and her lyrical giggle made his soul burst with love.

“I knew psychic forces were used against me. So that begs a question.”

“What?”

“Where would you like to go for dinner tonight?”

“I don’t care where we go to dinner. I want to end up at your house, though. I still want to see your medieval weapons collection. I just want you to kick me out afterward.”

“Excellent. I’ll make us dinner. Besides ‘to die for’ blueberry pancakes, coq au vin, bar snacks and vodka with lime, what do you like to eat?”

“Lots of things. Surprise me.” She lowered her voice. “But if you decide to flame some steaks with dragon fire, I’d like to watch.”

Warrick looked around to ensure no one was paying attention to their conversation. “Are you sure you’re ready to see me change…you know, into something else?”

She shrugged, but he didn’t know if it was because she wasn’t sure about his ability to shift or her desire to see it. Bianca was the first woman who didn’t get that certain glaze in her eyes he’d become uncomfortably familiar with, like her sole purpose was to find alternate transportation by way of his winged alter ego.

It was only a matter of time. He’d eventually have to show her what he could do. This was the first time, however, he didn’t dread it. That didn’t stop the little issue he had about girls wanting to date him for his wings from settling inside his mind and making him squirm.

He was about to start some delicate questioning to assure himself she wasn’t looking for a new ride to work when Sheriff Merrow entered the diner and scanned the room as if seeking someone in particular. His gaze lit on Warrick. The sheriff strode toward him, and he didn’t look happy. With an internal sigh, Warrick bore up to hear bad news as the big man came to a stop at their table.

“Sheriff. Can I help you with something?”

Hank looked at Bianca, registered a bit of a smile for her, but sobered when he turned to Warrick.

“Sorry, Warrick. I need to talk to you in private again.”