He shrugged, like they were discussing extra fries. “You needed one. Now you’ve got one.”
“No. No, that’s not how this works.”
“Too late,” he said mildly. “I hooked it up a couple hours ago.”
She gulped. “You can just unhook it right now.”
“No.” His face was completely impassive, almost serene.
She stared at him. “Well then, I’ll pay you for it.”
“Absolutely not.”
Installing a new generator took time and talent. That was kind. Even so, they’d just started dating. In fact, this was their first actual date. “Now listen?—”
“Nope.” He glanced at his watch, then across the room where his brothers were still gathered near the fire. Damian was slipping papers back into his briefcase and standing to leave. “Give me a sec, will you?” Ace pushed back his chair and stood. “I need to talk to D.”
“We’re not done arguing about this,” she called after him.
“If you say so.” He kept going toward the fireplace.
She narrowed her eyes at his retreating back.
The tavern had shifted into its evening rhythm. The dinner crowd was thinning, a few tables lingering over drinks. Someone fed another log into the fireplace, and the flames flared, painting the stone in amber light. Daisy wove between tables with a tray balanced on one hand, laughing at something a couple of fishermen said.
May stood and walked over to the bar, where Amka worked. “Give me the bill, would you?”
Amka shook her head. “I’m sorry. He already paid it.”
May stared at her. “Are you kidding me?”
“No.” Amka leaned in, studying her face. “Is that bad, for some reason?”
“Yes, it’s bad,” May hissed. “He bought me a generator.”
Amka’s brows shot up. “That bastard.”
May huffed. “That’s not funny.”
“Huh.” Amka’s lips twitched. “Some women get flowers. Some get a generator.”
“Amka.” May swatted lightly at her arm.
Amka grinned. “Seriously. You must be really good.”
“Oh yeah?” May shot back. “You want to play?”
Amka snorted. “What are you going to do?”
May’s gaze slid past her to where Christian sat with Brock and Ophelia. He was halfway through a conversation, his posture relaxed but alert like always. “Hey, Christian?” she called out sweetly.
Amka’s eyes widened. “You wouldn’t.”
“Amka really needs to rest,” May projected just enough. “She hasn’t sat down in hours.”
“Okay, first of all—” Amka started.
Christian was already on his feet.
