“Pfft!”
He places a hand on my shoulder. “It will blow over, Sophia. Six months from now, no one will even be talking about you anymore.”
“People are talking about me? What are they saying? What have you heard?”
River sighs and scratches behind one of his horns. “Do you want to come by River’s for a free beer later?”
I offer a tight grin. “I’ll take that to mean ‘yes, people are talking about you, Sophia.’”
“Drink more beer and it won’t bother you.”
I laugh. “Got it.” I hand him back the copy of theHatter. “Thanks for lunch, River. You’re a good friend.”
He pulls me into a hug and kisses me on the cheek, just as the bell above the door chimes and Seven walks into the Silver Ember.
ChapterTwenty-One
When you get as lucky as I got, you have to work as hard as possible to earn that luck. —Daniel Radcliffe
“This is cozy.” Seven wears the same face he wore when he fired Brandon at the casino, like he owns the world and gods help anyone who gets in his way. Damn, he’s larger than life. His suit hangs like it’s in love with him, hugging muscle and draping elegantly in all the right places. He’s broad shouldered and narrow waisted with just enough ass to make things interesting. Plus he’s obviously jealous which makes my heart do a happy tap dance in my chest. Damn stupid heart. After the way he dismissed me last night, I should be making some excuse to leave the room right now.
Focusing all my attention on River, I release him with a warm smile. “Thanks again for stopping by… and for the sandwich.”
“Anytime.” He turns to leave. As he passes by Seven to get to the door, the two men lock stares. I feel luck rise in the air like static electricity. Seven’s is a fiery dragon, an energy that’s become so familiar the past few days. River’s has the presence of a great horned stag. River towers over Seven physically, taller by four inches at least and with the broader shoulders and defined muscles satyrs are known for. But Seven’s power dwarfs what River is putting off. It’s so big it steals the air from the room.
I watch River’s hand ball into a fist before he slips out the door. Absently, Seven rubs his cheek as the door chimes and closes behind the satyr.
“That was fun,” I say. “For a second there I thought one of you might get piss on my shoes.”
“Is he why you won’t be with me?” Seven’s gaze drills into me.
My mother chooses that moment to poke her head out from the back room. “Oh, Seven! I thought I felt…” She furrows her brow. “Well, I thought I felt something. What brings you in today?”
“Always a pleasure to see you Aurora.” All anger has drained from Seven’s expression, replaced by good-natured charm. He reaches her in three long strides, takes the heavy box she’s carrying from her hands and sets it on the counter.
“Oh, thank you.” She smooths her dress.
“Would it be all right if I borrowed Sophia for a few moments? It’s Godmother business. I’m afraid it’s important.”
My mother smiles warmly. “Of course.”
What? She looks like if he stayed she’d offer him coffee. Gods!
Seven holds open the front door, and I follow him out onto Main Street where we begin to stroll toward Godmother’s. “Why are you here, Seven? I thought you said I was off duty.”
“I owe you an apology.”
My breath catches. Seven Delaney is apologizing to me… again? That’s twice in twenty-four hours. Someone send heaters to hell; it’s officially frozen over.
He rolls his eyes. “Don’t look so surprised. I can admit when I’m wrong.”
“Leprechauns aren’t well known for admitting wrongdoing or apologizing for that matter.”
He shrugs. “When are you going to learn, Sophia? I’m a different sort of leprechaun.”
“Hmm.” Up close now, I see shadows under his eyes as if he hasn’t slept well. He’s still sexy as hell, but clearly something is bothering him.
“It would have been risky for you to hold back Phoebe’s identity last night. I realize that now.”
