Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 157(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 157(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
Nolan leaned forward and stole a quick kiss. “Thank you for the flowers.”
“I wanted to go with roses…” His voice drifted off at Nolan’s barely perceptible shudder as he stepped back to allow Sky into his house.
“Daisies are perfect. I think it’ll be a while before I’m comfortable around roses again.”
“Well, if it helps, I didn’t grow these. I picked them up from the florist like a normal boy trying to win the interest of his hot neighbor.”
“Yes, my normal neighbor,” Nolan agreed with a hint of laughter in his voice. “Let me just put these in water, and then I’ll be ready to go.”
Sky trailed after Nolan into the kitchen, where he dug out a glass vase from under the sink and filled it with water. This was the perfect opportunity to admire Nolan. The grumpy author who needed to be reminded to shower and lived in his flannel pajama pants and hoodie cleaned up very nicely. For their date, he’d selected black slacks and a black button-down under a soft, cream cable-knit sweater. His hair had been trimmed enough that it didn’t immediately block his eyes. He’d even shaved!
How was Sky supposed to not swoon at this man’s feet?
With the flowers properly settled in a vase, Nolan carried them out to the living room and placed them in the center of the coffee table.
Nolan turned to Sky and flashed a somewhat crooked smile. “I hate to admit it, but I’m a little nervous. I haven’t been on a date in a couple of years. There’s a good chance that I’m rusty at this.”
Sky walked over and took one of Nolan’s hands in both of his before tipping his face up toward him. Not needing any additional prompting, Nolan leaned close and pressed a slow, soft kiss to his lips.
“See. I don’t think you’re rusty at all,” Sky purred when Nolan broke off the kiss.
Nolan huffed a laugh. “No, you’ve just got me well trained already.”
Holding on to one of Nolan’s hands with his, Sky tugged him to the door. “Come on. This is totally low-key. No stress. No pressure. Some art, good food, and then a drink with live music. A quiet evening out of the house with no magic.”
“All right. All right.” Nolan scooped up his keys from a bowl on a table near the sofa and followed Sky out the door. “I can do outside.”
Sky stepped back to allow Nolan to lock his front door and nearly jumped as his phone vibrated in his pocket. Who could be calling him? Every one of his friends—and a few complete strangers—knew he was on a date with Nolan tonight. No one who valued their life would dare call him right now.
His teeth clenched against a curse, he grabbed his phone and frowned at the screen. It was Maddox. The witch knew he was going on his date tonight. Both he and Red had supplied a list of great restaurants. Mad had even come up with the suggestion for strolling through the art festival. If he wanted to tease Sky, he’d send a text.
He wouldn’t dare call now…unless it was an emergency.
“Are you going to answer it?” Nolan inquired, looking over his shoulder at the phone that was still vibrating in his hand. “It could be important.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.” Sky sighed as he thumbed the screen to answer the call. “Tell me you’re dying,” Sky said the second he lifted the phone to his ear. “If you’re already dead, you can wait until later and I’ll raise you tomorrow night, when I don’t have a date.”
“Shit! Sky, I’m so sorry. You know I wouldn’t call you unless it’s an emergency,” Mad apologized in a breathless rush. “But I can make this quick. It’s on the way for you anyway!”
His fingers tightened on the phone. Sky turned away from Nolan and hunched his head down while raising his shoulders, as if trying to hide from his date. “Wait! What’s on the way? Nothing is on the way. I’ve got Nolan with me right now. We’re leaving for the art festival in Morrison right now. You can’t do this to me, Mad.”
“No! No! It’ll be fast. I swear. A spell went apeshit on me. You still got that cleansing kit I made for you last summer, right?”
“I’ve got the kit. What spell? Are you okay?” It felt like a hand had tightened on Sky’s throat, making it hard to swallow. Mad had been using magic for more than ten years now. He was the oldest and most practiced of their coven, even if Sky was the most professionally trained. It was rare for a spell to go bad for him. Even more odd that he’d sound this harried.
“I’m okay for now, but can you bring it over to me? My house is one exit off from Morrison. It will literally take you five minutes to drop it off and then leave.”