“I’ll pay,” I said.
“Very well.” But he was still digging in his pocket.
We moved up to order, and I rolled down my window.
“Hello, Delaney Reed,” Talli said.
Talli had recently moved to Ordinary and had been trying different types of employment. From the moment she had arrived, it was obvious that there was some sort of history between Than and her.
I’d subtly and not-so-subtly tried to follow them around and get a look at what kind of relationship they might have. I thought they might be dating.
Myra, who spent more of her off time with Than, spelunking among the books in our family’s magical library, hadn’t had much luck getting info out of him either.
“Hi, Talli,” I said. “I didn’t know you were working here.”
“Yes, it is a new position. I am enjoying it so far. Hello, Thanatos.”
“Tala,” he said.
“It is very nice to see you,” she went on, leaning her forearms on the window ledge. The sunlight caught her dark hair, chasing threads of gold and ruby through it. The sun also made her skin glow, and her burnt umber eyes go soft.
“I would like to order tea,” he said. He wasn’t leaning over me, but I slid my seat all the way back anyway so I could get the best view of this exchange.
Talli inched forward so she could better see him. “We have fresh strawberry and mint,” she said. “Have you sampled it?”
“No.”
“Would you care to?” The way she said it, the little blush that hit her cheeks and the twinkle in her eye told me there was something else being said here. Flirting. She was flirting with him.
“Yes. Please steep a full cup for me. For Delaney Reed, please prepare the drink with the most amount of whipped cream and chocolate in it. She has emotions that need soothing.”
I laughed. “Hey. I don’t need to soothe anything. Black coffee with cream is all I need.”
“I see,” she said. “Give me a moment.”
She disappeared back inside the shop, and the sound of the coffee grinder covered the music playing inside.
“Perhaps you will reconsider the chocolate?” Than asked.
“No, but thank you for thinking about me. Or maybe this was just an excuse for me to drive you to see your girlfriend?”
“She is not, as you say, my girlfriend. I have said as much.”
“No, you haven’t. Okay, so I’ll stop calling her that. What sort of relationship do the two of you actually have?”
“One you simply wouldn’t understand, Reed Daughter.”
He was so prim about it, I had to turn my head to snort-laugh into my shoulder.
He grunted as if wholly unamused by my reaction. Then Talli returned to the window.
“Here you are. Would you like to pay by cash or card?”
I handed her my card, and she took it, then gave me the drinks. “Run a tip too, okay?” I said.
She nodded and got busy with the card. I handed Than his tea.
“Thank you,” he said.
