Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 113319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
He backed off, rocking her gently, pressing his cheek against her forehead. “That’s how I thought about things when I was introducing you to my family.”
“Except your family is a lot nicer.”
“Your ex is no longer your family, and while your parents are…one of a kind, they are plenty nice and a lot more expressive than my family.”
“They are certainly more expressive, I’ll give you that. I’m wondering how Matt’s…people will react to Aurora. A pretty young woman who never smiles. Also who is intense and capable of staring down adult men.”
“Not well?”
She laughed. “I don’t know, but I can’t wait to find out.”
“I thought you didn’t want to be the talk of the town?”
“I wouldn’t be, and I know she won’t care. She’s much too strong-willed and confident for that.”
“After the holidays, you will be, too, I guarantee it.”
SIX
Austin
The next morning they pulled up to a little coffee shop off a side street, not terribly far from their Airbnb, but it had taken half an hour to get there. Traffic, even in residential districts of L.A., was nothing to sneeze at. The huge and busy freeways were never far away. The bustle was enough to make a guy want to give up and go home. He saw now what an incredible change of pace O’Briens had been for Jess.
They’d come here to meet Jess’s good friend, niece to the former legal owner of Ivy House. She had the family legacy but apparently not the right personality to be granted heir status. But she’d brought Jess to Ivy House, and for that he’d be eternally grateful to her.
“Did Mimi and Aurora decide to go check out Hollywood?” Jess asked as they circled the block for the second time, looking for parking.
“They’ll go a little later. Ulric and Jasper are going with them. Jasper will drive. He says the packed freeways don’t bother him. I give them a one-in-four chance of bringing the car back without a scrape.”
“I can’t believe no one in our crew has been to L.A. before. That’s craz— There’s one!” She flung out her hand, indicating a parking spot in a cramped corner of a nearby strip mall, a couple of blocks from their location. Given her urgency, they likely wouldn’t do any better if they kept circling.
He eased into the parking space, a tight fit. Other luxury cars were all around, suggesting this place was in an upscale part of town. It was hard to believe. The strip mall looked a little dirty and run-down, with average shops, a few blinking signs that should be fixed up, and grimy pavement. The air smelled stale, as though it had been left in a sweaty locker for too long, and a brownish haze colored the sky.
No gargoyles had come with them this time. Jess had convinced him it was unnecessary—the outing would take hardly any time, and besides, if they brought even one gargoyle, Mr. Tom would definitely show up. She didn’t want anyone in a bad disguise peeking in through the windows.
A valid point. Besides, they’d only just arrived in town. If they stuck to Dick establishments and kept a low profile, they should be safe enough. Especially since the mages still seemed to be keeping their distance.
She met him at the back of the car and slipped her hand into his, lacing their fingers.
“Have you talked to Kingsley since he demanded you send Aurora home?” Jess asked as she steered them to the sidewalk.
Kingsley was not pleased that his threats weren’t resonating with his strong-willed and capable daughter. Austin had no idea why his brother would have expected otherwise. She was a determined young woman and knew the value in further training, which Austin’s setup could provide.
“No. He cut off all conversation for the present.”
“For the present?”
“He’s too levelheaded and rational to cut her off forever. She’s too young and hotheaded to realize that, but they’ll come to an understanding eventually that’ll benefit them both. I’ve been in her shoes before. I know how he works. And how she does, to some extent, though she’s a lot smarter than I was at her age.”
“You got lucky with a brother like Kingsley. He really is the salt of the earth.”
“He is.”
They entered the busy coffee shop and paused as Jess glanced across the filled tables. Roasted coffee beans flavored the air, and the whir of espresso machines interrupted the soft murmur of conversation.
“There!” She smiled and tugged him forward, weaving through the space to a table in the corner. A brunette with reddish glasses sat with her head bowed over her phone and a white mug in front of her.
The woman in question looked up. A wide smile crossed her face when she saw Jess, and she stood, vibrating with happiness. The two women hugged and squealed and bounced a little, like teenagers, before Jess stepped back and put her hand on Austin’s arm.