Instead, he pulled Uriel inside and shut the door.
“Nope,” Uriel said.
“Nope? What do you mean, nope? You can’t nope me right now.”
“I just did,” Uriel countered. “Also, why is it breakfast? I’ve been up for hours. It should be the mostwine-derful time of the year by now.”
Joe sputtered but Uriel refused to let him act out some guilt-fueled apology. He didn’t require an apology from Joe.
“But since I know full well you don’t stock any decent wine in this place, I’m going to require a vanilla gingerbread latte, easy on the gingerbread, heavy on the espresso.”
“You want coffee? Now?”
“I always come here for coffee. Although, I’m usually not dressed in my pajamas. Joe, why didn’t you remind me that I’m not dressed for town? We walked right past my house. You could have suggested a change of clothing.”
Joe’s mouth fell open. “I…uh…well….”
“When I get back, I expect my coffee to be ready. You owe me that much after a four o’clock in the morning wake-up call. It’s the least you can do.”
“But Uriel, I—”
“I know. However, now is not the time or the place for the length or depth of conversation we need to have. If we discuss this morning’s events now, you’ll worry the entire day anyway. I suggest a moratorium on thinking until this evening. I’ll make dinner, and we can hash this out. Oh, and wine will absolutely be on the menu.”
Joe stared into his eyes, then let out a long breath. “Actually, I’ve been experimenting with a new whiskey recipe. If ever I needed a drink stronger than wine, it’ll be tonight.”
“I can work with that. Now, get moving on my coffee. I’ll be back once I’m appropriately attired.”
“Sounds good.”
Uriel opened the door, but Joe’s voice stopped him.
“Hey, Uriel?”
He looked over his shoulder.
“Thanks.”
Uriel nodded and walked out. As he’d expected, Leif stood at the corner waiting for him.
“I wondered how long it would take you to realize you were in your pajamas,” Leif teased.
“If only you knew, cousin. My morning has been quite the adventure, to say the least.”
“No doubt.”
“I do find myself curious as to why you ran into Linus’s as if Santa himself chased you.”
Leif shook his head as they walked down the block to Uriel’s house. “I swear, cousin. Ifeltyour magic rising. I’ve never experienced anything like it.”
Uriel considered the sensation he’d felt earlier, of how his magic had reached deep into the earth and his sudden connection with Joe. “I have a lot to think about.”
“Apparently.”
Edgar’s annoying song began to play the moment Uriel opened his front door. The song certainly suited Uriel’s mood, even though it reminded him of his need to think of an exceptional plan for retribution.
Leif groaned and waved Uriel away. “I’ll fix it. Go get dressed.”
Uriel escaped to his bedroom, took a moment to straighten his bed, then made his way to his closet. He’d developed a uniform of sorts for his daily life that included comfortable jeans, a cozy sweater, and a blazer that added to his bookstore-owner style.
