“Spending too much time in the bedroom instead of the classroom?” he called out.
“Call me if you hear of any other weapons being delivered.”
“Checking him out instead of checking books out?”
I was at the Jeep, one hand on the door. “Save it for the talent show,” I yelled back.
I got in the Jeep and Crow swung into the passenger side. Bathin gave us a wave before very carefully opening the screen door, dislodging kittens who fell like fat, fuzzy snowballs.
He bent and gently gathered them into his arms, cradling four of them close to his chest before stepping into the house and closing the door.
“He’s good with them,” Crow noted.
“The kittens?”
“Insults.” Crow threw me a look. “Yes, the kittens. I didn’t know.”
“You? One of the snoopiest gods in town, didn’t know Bathin had a thing for cats?”
“I’m not snoopy, I’m attentive. I’ve seen him at the clinic and the adoption place, but in those spaces there is an expectation for him to behave a certain way. There isn’t that same expectation here.”
“Is it hard to believe he likes cats?”
“Been around demons for a long time, remember?”
“Yep. You remind me daily. Even twice daily.”
“Demons don’t like kittens.”
“Agreed. But Bathin had Dad’s soul for a long time. Then mine. He’s not just a demon anymore. Or, maybe he is just a demon, but one who has continued to learn and grow. One who has learned there are more important things than torturing humans.
“Plus,” I said, “he’s in love. There’s a chance he might screw it up with Myra. But that’s how it goes, right? Life? You just jump in and give it your best shot with the people you love, and make the most of it you can.”
He wasn’t smiling, not really, but there was a softness to his face as he glanced over at me.
“You might want to apply that to a certain reluctant bride I know.”
“Every word. I regret every word I just said.”
“Might want to tell her she can just jump in and it’s going to all work out. Messy, maybe, but weddings and marriages andlife,” he said with a little extra emphasis, “tend to work out.”
“I’m officially declaring this,” I waved a hand between us, “a relationship advice free zone. Good?”
He mimed zipping his lips and throwing the key away.
For a very short minute, he was silent. Then he started hummingGoing to the Chapelby the Dixie Cups.
I drove faster.
Chapter Nine
“Delaney, Crow! What brings you by?”Hogan’s smile contrasted beautifully with his dark skin and startlingly blue eyes. If he weren’t half Jinn I’d think his magical power was always being in a good mood.
He’d pulled back his beaded braids, and wore a black apron over jeans and T-shirt.
The smell of butter, baked bread, and dill wafted out of his house.
Or maybe I’d think his baking was his magic power. He was the owner of the Puffin Muffin, an amazing bakery that was just starting to catch full-time customers from towns on either side of us. Hogan had bought a delivery van and hired a delivery driver named Bob. So far, Bob was busy fulfilling orders every day of the week.
