“I’d rather Lauren was in college,” Stacey said, as they went back into the kitchen. “She said she wanted a year off before she went to school. But I’m afraid she’s never going to go.”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine,” he repeated, pulling the pan out of the oven. Fragrant steam rose from the shrimp. He carefully spooned them off the pan and into a ceramic bowl, setting it on the table. “Ready to eat?”
“Absolutely,” she said, giving him a long, slow smile.
“You know,” she said, some time later, while they hungrily ate. “You’re really a terrible host.”
“What?” His head jerked up, while his heart fell into the pit of his stomach. How had he managed to screw things up this time?
~Relax, young one.~ Ariel’s voice was distantly amused. ~She is only playing with you. Can you not smell her musk?~
