Greg stared at his sister blankly, Lissianna answered for him. "That's probably my fault, Anne. I'm afraid I've kept him rather tied up with one thing and another the last couple of days."
Greg choked at her choice of words. He'd been literally tied up.
"Really?" Anne was beaming. A born matchmaker, she obviously smelled romance.
Lissianna just smiled, then said, "I'll leave you two to talk while I visit the ladies' room. Excuse me."
Greg watched her walk away and turned reluctantly back to his sister.
"So spill?" Anne said at once.
"Spill what?" Greg asked, feeling suddenly hunted. His sister had him in her crosshairs.
She heaved a disgusted breath, then thrust her shopping bags at him. "Here, go find a seat in the food court and watch these. I suddenly have to visit the ladies' room, too."
"No, Anne, just—Crap," he muttered, as she hurried after Lissianna. His sister would be all over Lissianna like a blanket, asking questions and preventing her from feeding, unless she fed on Anne. Greg blinked at the possibility. He rather liked the idea. Which was probably mean, he realized. Shaking his head, he turned and walked into the food court to find an empty table.
The food court was busy, but Greg eventually found an empty table and set his sister's bags down. He took a seat, and glanced toward the washrooms just in time to see Lissianna and his sister coming out.
"Well, we should have a coffee," Anne said cheerfully as she reached the table.
"Oh, we can't, thanks, Anne," Greg said quickly.
"Don't be silly, of course you can. I asked and Lissi said you didn't have any plans."
He glanced at Lissianna to see her offering him an apologetic grimace, but was more concerned by her pallor. Obviously—as he'd feared—she hadn't managed to feed with his sister trailing her. Greg turned back to his sister. "Yes, but—"
"I won't take no for an answer. You'll stay for coffee with me, won't you Lissi?"
Lissianna managed a smile.
"See," Anne said, taking that as a yes. "Come on, Greg, You can help me get the coffee while Lissi watches the bags and rests. The poor girl looks ready to drop."
Greg glanced from one woman to the other. When Lissianna gave him a sympathetic glance and waved him off, he sighed and stood to follow Anne.
"She's pretty," Anne said as she led him to a coffee booth.
"Yes," Greg muttered.
"Pale though. Has she been sick recently?"
"Er… flu," Greg lied.
"I could tell." Anne nodded solemnly as the person in front of them got their order and moved off. She stepped up to the counter and ordered a cappuccino and a chocolate croissant, then glanced at him. "What does Lissianna drink? Does she like cappuccino?"
Greg stared at her blankly, then admitted, "I don't have any money on me."
Anne stared. "What?"
"I forgot my wallet." It was the truth, but it gave him an idea and he brightened. "Actually, maybe it's good I ran into you. Do you think I could borrow some money from you for a day or two?"
"Sure." She opened her wallet. "How much do you want?"
Greg hesitated. They hadn't been able to go to a hotel because they hadn't the money, so had planned to beg a place to stay from Debbie. But they couldn't reach Debbie… which wouldn't be a problem if they could stay at a hotel. Taking a breath, he asked, "Could you loan me a couple hundred?
Anne's head jerked up in surprise, but after a moment she nodded slowly. "I'll have to hit an instant teller to get you that much. We'll swing by one after we have our coffee. I'll get the drinks."
Greg sighed as she turned back to the counter and ordered two more cappuccinos and two more chocolate croissants. She paid for the order, then turned to glance at him while they waited for them to be made.
"So? How long have you known Lissianna?"
"Not long," Greg said evasively.
"I asked her what she does, and she said she works in the shelter?"
"Yes. Social work."
"Mmm." Anne smiled. "Social work, psychology, they're pretty close. You two must have scads in common."
"Uh… yes." Greg said warily, then was relieved to see their order being set on the counter. "Here we are."
He reached past her to take the tray, then led her back to the table where Lissianna waited. They were silent as he set out their drinks, then set the tray aside.
"Mmm, this is good," Anne said as she tried her croissant, then she glanced from Greg to Lissianna, and said, "I didn't