“When did he leave?”
“He was here when we went to bed, isn’t now. So, during the night some time.”
“Oh. Okay. Well, it’s okay. I just won’t make as much food,” she said, pretending that it wasn’t a big deal to her.
“He’s probably with Tempest.”
“Oh. Yeah. That’s probably it.”
“Go on and give her a call.”
“No, I don’t want to wake her or the baby if she’s been up all night. I’ll just make him breakfast another time.”
“Hell, I’ll call her,” Maverik said, when he saw how disappointed Angelle was.
“No, please don’t. It’s not a big deal. I should have asked him before I started planning.”
“Why? He didn’t ask you.”
“Yes, but I never have anything planned. He does.”
“He’s a Gargoyle, baby. He don’t have nothing planned.”
She smiled at Maverik, but this time her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “It’s okay. I’ll do something for him another time.”
“Alright. I’ll send him your way when he shows up.”
“Thanks,” Angelle said, smiling, then walking away without looking back.
Maverik watched her go, then went and got back in bed. He snuggled in against Valerie’s back.
“Hey,” he whispered, kissing her shoulder.
“I’m sleeping,” she grumbled.
“I’m not!”
“Go away,” she mumbled from beneath the covers she’d pulled over her head again.
“You did that on purpose to make me go answer the door, didn’t you?”
Valerie forced a loud, fake snore.
“You ain’t right for that,” he said.
She snored again.
“I’m getting up, and I’m cooking, and you can’t have any,” he grumbled, getting out of the bed again and stomping to the kitchen. “I’m making good shit, too!” he called from the kitchen.
Valerie snored again, knowing he’d hear her.
“I know you ain’t sleeping!” he called as he started rattling pots and pans as much as he possibly could.
~~~
Angelle went home and put away most of the ingredients she’d gotten out to prepare a big, overly indulgent breakfast for herself, her parents, and Boon. She left out only the fresh peaches and heavy whipping cream. Her loaves of vanilla poundcake were already in the oven so instead of a heavy breakfast, she decided to slice the peaches, and make some fresh whipped cream, to serve beside the warm pound cake.
Avaleigh walked into the kitchen right behind her. “That smells heavenly. I don’t care who you are, fresh vanilla pound cake baking will pull you out of the bed.”
