Carl sat up straighter.“I know.Of course.Won’t be a problem.”Then, a moment later: “Boss, you mean I can stay?”
Theo stopped looking at the selection of toffees and lifted his head to look at Carl.“What’s up with you?You know that Elf?”
Carl’s cheeks took on a slight flush.“Never met him.I just know of him.”
“But he always wanted to come with me when I had to visit the lord.Excuse me while I prepare for our guests.”
She walked off, though she opened the door to a small shoe closet by the door to change from her work heels into a pair much fancier.She didn’t so much as fuss with her clothes before putting plates and cups on an antique-looking round table by the window and arranging them to her liking.
Theo picked a toffee at random and looked at Carl.“What’s the deal with the Elven lord?”
Carl glanced around as if he didn’t want to be overheard.“He’s famous.Obviously.Like Mr.Collins, I suppose.”
Theo took a deep breath while chewing the sticky treat.“Mr.Collins hasn’t called me back yet.You’d think Mr.Collins had forgotten how to operate a phone.”
He wasn’t sure if his voice sounded bitter or angry.He wasn’t sure whether he was either of those or neither.He kept seeing flashes from when the birds had attacked him, from when Bernard had come for him, mixed with Peter facing the Fae in the cafeteria.
“He’s going to be here very soon.”Carl looked at Celeste.She was humming while folding napkins.“I’m sure you’re okay to wait for him downstairs if you—”
Theo crossed his arms.“Nope.He didn’t call.I’m not going to sit down there by the door like some bedraggled lapdog.”
Celeste snorted.“Bedraggled lapdog.”
Theo flushed.
Carl nodded.“The boss has sharp ears.”
“Just for bullshit.Theo, bathroom’s through the living room.Rinse your face and comb your hair.”
Theo was about to tell her he didn’t need that kind of advice anymore, but her tone wasn’t one of advice.Celeste had a very distinct boss voice that said,I care, and I’m taking care of you right now, please trust me, so he did as she’d said and went into the bathroom.
Her living room was eclectic, with a big three-seater couch and a few cabinets and small tables that were mismatched but worked together to create one thing in spades: coziness.At a glance, Theo was pretty sure that everything here was carefully thrifted, and he wished he had this kind of taste.
It’s nothing at all like Peter’s place, but also somehow a little bit like Peter’s place.I don’t understand how the two of them have anything in common, least of all their taste in throw pillows.Peter’s throw pillows were arranged in geometric formation though, while Celeste’s just occupied space on the couch and a recliner by the window.A paperback sat on the sill, the cover facing outward, a ribbon marking Celeste’s place.Peter didn’t leave his half-read novels lying around like that.
The bathroom was just as cozy, with golden light coming from two wall sconces flanking another large burlesque poster that served as wallpaper for half the space.The tub took up a good one-fourth of the room, the small window above it letting in a glimmer of natural light.
Theo did look worse for wear in the round mirror above the sink, and he gave his own reflection a critical frown.His eyes were puffy and his cheeks splotchy.He groaned in resignation and opened the bathroom door.
“Celeste, do you have some powder I can use?Just something to even out the redness.”
She craned her neck.“Hmm.You’re too pale for my color.Check behind the bathroom mirror.I think I have a mineral powder sample there that might work for you.”
Theo closed the door behind himself again and went searching.He was back out a few minutes later, looking far less like some boyfriend who’d been crying over his significant other who’d just hung up on him while stepping right into danger.He felt like Puck, almost.
Carl smiled at Theo when he came back to the kitchen with his back straight and his chin up.“Feeling better?”
“Yup.”
“Angry?”
“Why would I be angry?”
Celeste was quiet in an annoyingly noisy way while puttering around and making a fresh pot of tea.
Carl barely missed a beat.“Sorry.My mistake.How’s Coconut?”
“Who?”
