Bo’s entire back end wiggled with the force of his tail. He looked at me brightly.
“Did you hear that? She said my social circle is the bomb!”
Pearl sneered. “I never said that, fleabag. And don’t let it go to your head. Your breath still smells like you’ve been eating garbage.”
“That wasone time,” Bo huffed, hurt. “And it was very good garbage.”
Victoria looked between Pearl and Bo. The cat and dog not actively trying to murder each other this morning qualified as a heartwarming display of friendship by Hawthorne standards.
“It’s nice to see the two getting along again,” she observed.
Pearl and Bo traded a look.
“We have a truce,” Bo said carefully.
“Afragiletruce,” Pearl amended.
Bo nodded. “Very fragile.”
Pearl sniffed. “Could collapse at any moment.”
Victoria and I both hid a smile. It was clear they were trying to defend their mutual decision to end their territorial war.
A munching noise distracted everyone.
Hugh had returned to the table with a plate piled high enough to feed a small army and was shoveling food into his mouth like somebody who hadn’t eaten in days ratherthan hours.
I grimaced. Yeah, he and Beatrice were definitely having sex.
“So,” Hugh said through a mouthful of eggs, “I’ve got a second date with Beatrice tonight.”
Victoria’s teacup froze halfway to her lips. Her eyes shrank to slits. “I heard what happened on your first date.”
Samuel’s shoulders immediately knotted. “Why, what happened on their first date?”
I felt a trace of sympathy for my alpha. Not having siblings had its perks.
On the other hand, I had an Ellie.
“Nothing happened,” Hugh protested. “There was just a small incident with a candle and a cupcake. It was very minor. Beatrice handled it beautifully.”
“You set the coffee shop on fire, didn’t you?” Samuel stated flatly.
“It was a tiny fire. Barely a fire.” Hugh laughed nervously. “More of a spirited flame.”
“Oh God,” Samuel muttered.
“Don’t worry, I already agreed to pay for the damages,” Hugh said hastily.
Nora materialized at his elbow. “Master Hugh, please tell me you’re not going out in public like that.” Her gaze was fixed on his clothes with a stoic expression that nonetheless radiated silent, professional despair.
“It’s not that bad.”
Nora pretended not to hear him. “Perhaps a light pressing of your shirt. And some attention to yourcollar. I don’t know if you’re aware, but you appear to have brushed your teeth on your clothing.”
Hugh looked at his collar and swore.
Victoria set down her teacup with a decisive click. “Nora, please ensure my son looks presentable before his date tonight. I won’t have him embarrassing the family name.”
