“Sir, I’ve finalized the animal tent for the fair. The housing situation for the larger beasts has been arranged in the stables as well.”
I shoved noodles in my mouth and tried to tune them out by thinking of how happy eating made me to fuel the magic in my palm to grow.
“Thank you, Pauline. Grab yourself something to eat. Relax a little.” That tone… the fork froze in front of my open mouth.
I shoved the food in my mouth and kept looking forward, knowing who sat at the table with me. The sounds of someone leaving the table and walking past me told me Pauline had left. Which meant—
“Fancy meeting you for dinner, Star.”
Chapter Nine
Looks like you’ve got a secret admirer too
“Fancy that,” I muttered with a mouthful.
It was just my luck to keep running into that man. The billionaire loaded his plate with meat and veggies, not that I particularly noticed. I definitely didn’t pay attention to his movements at all.
Nor did I notice his gray hairs shimmering in the chandelier light.
Or the way his lips tilted up when he saw all the non-noticing going on.
He eyed the empty chairs between us. “Mind if I move over there?”
Did I mind? I shrugged.
Rylan jumped up and then took the seat beside me. “We haven’t officially had the chance to introduce ourselves with the explosion yesterday and me running late to class this morning.”
I paused chewing on my noodles, trying not to melt in his intense stare. I felt like I already knew so much about him, but technically he was right.
Before magic, I didn’t pay much attention to the rich and famous. Piper was my world. If it didn’t involve her or making money to take care of us, I ignored it.
After magic, we were all glued to the news, and Rylan was constantly shown. The man on the screen appeared very professional and businesslike. He was also sometimes charismatic with a flashy smile that made every female reporter blush. I had only just met this version in front of me, but he seemed more down-to-earth.
A tanned hand shot between us, and I eyed it while finishing up my bite.
“I’m Rylan.”
I placed my hand in his and shook it once. “Temperance.”
Our hands dropped, and Rylan started chatting me up while eating. “Where are you from?”
“Western North Carolina.” I poured a cup of tea and asked the same question. I had no reason to be rude. Plus, he saved me from an exploding student.
“Massachusetts.”
I was about to ask if he was a masshole when Remy sat across from us with a bowl of soup.
“Rylan,” she greeted the billionaire who gave her a soft smile.
“Remy, good to see you again.”
My head shifted back and forth between them. “You know my roommate?”
How? Did they sleep together?
He looks like he’d be good in bed. Did I care?
Rylan swallowed his food as he faced me and then lifted his fork in her direction. She raised an eyebrow before shaking her head like she found the man amusing.
