Page 109

Ruben rolled his eyes and Riley snorted. Troy looked a little green around the gills. “Can we please stop talking about baby dragons.”

Which snapped Raina out of her stupor. “Wait…are you not excited?”

“Of course I am…it’s just…” He looked at Shelly desperately. “Did you get the number wrong? Check again.”

Shelly took Raina’s hand and began reading her palm. She whipped an incense stick from her messy hair and held it out to Rowan. “Light this, please.”

Rowan looked around them surreptitiously before blowing the teeniest spark ever. The scent of strong botanicals filled the air.

Ethel cackled and pointed her knitting needles. “Look over there. There’s three people on standby with fire extinguishers.”

Her voice carried and the staff in question quickly ran into the back. Rowan sank lower in his chair.

Milo cooed and threaded a hand into his hair.

“Is Rohan joining in the game?” Glenn asked. “Why do they keep using the same awful hiding spot?”

“I’m going to head to the restroom,” Rowan said, slithering his way up.

Milo perked up and wiggled his eyebrows. “Shall I come with you? For old times’ sake?”

Rowan finally smiled before he glanced at the table. “I think someone needs to make sure the geriatric and dragon relations go smoothly?”

“But—”

Rowan leaned in and pressed a kiss to his mouth.

Milo rolled with it and stuck his tongue in Rowan’s because he was adaptable.

Clarence sprayed them in the face.

“Not before marriage, sinners.”

They sputtered over the holy water.

“We’re mated!” Milo exclaimed, wiping his eyes. “That’s far more permanent than marriage.”

“Not in the eyes of our lord. Now leave room for Jesus.” Clarence spritzed them again and pulled out his rosary.

Milo fumed and Rowan stepped away from the table. “I just need five minutes.”

Milo saw the plea in his eye and held his protests. Sometimes Rowan just needed a reset. A breather. And Milo had no trouble creating a distraction to give Rowan that much-needed room.

“Take your time, Snugglescales. I’ll hold down the fort.”

Rowan gave him a halfhearted glare, but his eyes were soft at the unspoken comfort and protection.

He padded away, keeping his head low, and Milo watched that waitress like a hawk to make sure she didn’t get any funny ideas.

“And this is TikTok,” Riley said.

“Blick Block?” Conrad yelled. “What kind of name is that?”

Milo was distracted enough to look over.

Riley had her tablet up in front of Conrad, willingly leaning into him. “A better one than they came up with. They have videos though. Look.”

“The Devil’s work,” Clarence muttered.