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I hear his chuckle before I see him. “Well, since you asked so nicely.” He walks out onto his front porch, ball cap flipped backward and hair that’s normally secured in a short ponytail loose. “You rarely ever pay me a visit.”

“Yes, well, it’s an emergency.”

He straightens. “Does Wilde need to know?”

“He absolutely does not need to know anything.”

Rooney tilts his head to the side. “What kind of emergency?”

“I need blankets. Pillows. A mattress if you have one.”

He blinks at me. “Planning on having visitors?”

I go to set my hand on a knife that isn’t there. “Now would be an excellent time to mind your business.”

“Now, now. No need to get stabby. Give me a second, and I’ll see what I have in my stores.”

I watch Rooney walk back inside before returning a few seconds later, bouncing a set of keys in his hand. He disappears behind his house toward the old shipping container, and I keep my feet planted firmly where they are, as much of the grass as the mushrooms are at this point.

It takes him a few minutes to return carrying two bags. The first one is the heaviest.

“Blow-up mattress.” Then he hands over the second. “Some sheets and a pillow. If you need something warmer, let me know, and I’ll source it.”

“He won’t be there long enough for that.”

Rooney’s mismatched eyes fill with interest. “Who won’t be?”

“That’s everything?”

“Unless you’re planning to stay for lunch?”

“And be poisoned? I’ll pass.” I hook the mattress bag over my shoulder, preparing for the long walk back.

“It’s always so good to see you, Lynx.”

My lips curl unpleasantly as I check the bag of sheets has enough in it. “The fact you can say that with a straight face just proves I’m right about you.”

“I really do think we could be great friends if you’d let me.”

A smile tugs at my lips. “And how long after becoming friends would it take for vines to be growing out of my eyes while you use my head as a teapot?”

“Oh, a few months at least.”

I tighten my hand around the bag. “Thank you for this. I’ll pass on friends.”

“Really can’t imagine why.”

I get back, hoping Sasha has left and hating that I’m not disappointed to walk in and find him curled up with Bob again. Magic or not, if he was able to come inside without invitation, it at least means he has no ill will toward me. So the only downside to letting him stay with me is the inconvenience of having someone else in my space.

Especially when him taking up space in my home reminds me of how out of control I’ve been around him lately.

Sasha doesn’t say anything when I walk inside, but I feel his eyes on me the whole time I pull out the mattress and get it set up.

“You got me a bed,” he whispers.

“I’ll fix your lock tomorrow.”

“No point if I’m staying here.”