The Flame Game (Magical Romantic Comedies #12) - R.J. Blain Page 0,94
after dinner and ask. Then we’ll talk to the kids about Annie.”
“That’s a good idea. We may have to get grandfather to do the talking, though. He’s better about integrating new gorgon women into the hives. I don’t want to accidentally traumatize them more than they’ve already been traumatized.”
“Is it because of how they were raised?”
“In part. They’re different. That’s fine. We’ll figure it out, especially after we’ve dealt with Morrison.”
“I think my father is trying to herd Morrison to Long Lake for us to deal with. My mother said we would be wise to be there by noon the day after tomorrow, and that we should be nosy in Maine first before going there. Apparently, my father is interfering more than he should.”
“Well, that doesn’t surprise me. Your father is who he is, and he’s always been known to push the limits. That’s why he holds the position he does in the Egyptian pantheon. As long as he doesn’t break certain rules, he’ll get away with it. Since there are a disturbing number of pantheons with interest in us, I expect your father will get away with a great deal while on his quest to protect you. He’ll protect me because if he doesn’t, you might cry, and I don’t think your father is at all prepared to handle you while you’re crying. I’m not prepared to handle you while you’re crying.”
I smiled, as my husband hated when anything upset me.
I might one day, with sufficient coaxing from him, get used to that.
“I can’t tell if that’s your expression upon realization you can easily control me through the power of tears or if you’re simply smitten with my handsome looks and can’t help but smile.”
“Can it be both? I am rather smitten with your handsome looks, but if I’m honest, I’m not sure I’m mean enough to fake crying to get my way about anything. Unless you’re refusing to come to bed. But that won’t be fake crying. That’ll be real tears.”
Upon the arrival of Quinn’s salad, I observed with interest while he investigated his appetizer. “This is deceptively normal in appearance, although there is partially cooked fish on this. Why is the fish only partially cooked, Bailey?”
“Because it’s like the fish version of a steak, Sam. Think of it as a very strange steak, seared for your enjoyment.”
“Enjoyment?”
I grabbed one of my shrimp by the tail, dunked it in my cocktail sauce, and chomped on it. “I am going to save you one of my sea bugs for you to try. But you have to eat your manly salad so you have strength for later.”
“You are the reason you felt the need to run away and go on a road trip to escape my sexy ways. I am going to remind you of this often, mostly so you don’t try to go on a road trip without me in the future. Road trips are much better when you’re with me.”
I couldn’t argue with him, so I didn’t. “Try your tuna.”
While his expression remained somewhat skeptical, he speared a piece of his tuna as ordered and nibbled. He blinked, nibbled again, and when the fish didn’t rise up to eat him, he took a proper bite. “I feel like I have been deceived my entire life, warned against the perils of fish. Though, honestly, the stench of fish in the microwave did a pretty good job of warning me away from fish.”
“Microwaved fish is a sin. Fresh fish, seared for your enjoyment, is a delicacy to be enjoyed. Just watch out for bones. They’re sharp and will poke you if you try to chew on them. I recommend you check for bones, even in a good place like this. Well, I’m assuming it’s good. My sea bugs are tasty.” As my husband had earned his share of my sea bugs, I dunked one into the cocktail sauce and deposited it on the rim of his bowl. “That is your prize.”
“Why did you not talk me into trying this earlier?”
“You kept feeding me really good steak and bacon.” I’d considered lobster a time or two at the grocery store, except the price had done a good job of deterring me. “Seafood seems like extra special occasion restaurant food. I am saying that because I don’t know how to cook lobster, and I wasn’t spending that much on a lobster to ruin it.”