“He loves you,” Mia said as Damien brought the little dog inside. “You can always tell a person’s character by the way the animals in your life respond to them.”
He kissed the dog on the head and then set him down on the floor. “He just likes me because I smell like Mr. Darcy. Even after all this time, I can still feel your cat in the back of my mind at times. It’s not bad; it’s like chatting with an old friend.”
“I’m glad the two of you connected. After Christina moved out, I realized how lonely he might be here in the academy without you.” Mia didn’t mention how lonely she had felt.
“It was an adjustment for me as well. I’m sure you also had some issues adjusting. Now you have Finn here. You’re the type to always have people around. You draw people to you.”
Mia chuckled. “My ex-fiancé and I had an ongoing fight about that. I was always working, or out with friends, or doing something to the house. I was never there just for him. So he found a replacement. Don’t get me wrong, she’s perfect for him. Very shallow and all about appearances.”
Damien watched her as they walked up the stairs.
“Sorry, that was a little petty. I’m not sure what’s going on with me. I seem to be emotional.” Mia rubbed her face, making sure there wasn’t a tear on her cheek.
As they reached the second floor, Damien put his hand on her shoulder. “I’m surprised you’re not curled up in a corner sobbing right now. Someone questioned your magic, called you a liar, and made you retest. The woman who tested you was a sadist, and your main support, Trent, is locked up in a house with a female werewolf who’s acting like she’s in heat. Not to mention your grandmother’s ex-boyfriend, who used to be dead and existed as a spirit in your cat, is moving into your home. Did I miss anything?”
“My boss is mean?” Mia took a long breath. “Oh, and Mark Baldwin says I might be a perfect suspect for said mean tester’s death. Par for the course.”
“Just take care of yourself. Everything will work out for the best and I’ll be out of here in no time.” He rubbed Muffy’s head. “Go make your grandmother lunch. You’re always happier when you’re cooking something.”
She smiled, remembering how she’d said the same thing to Mark just last night. Damien was right; it was time for the pity party to be over. She might even finish that book this afternoon.
She started up the stairs, then stopped and asked, “Is Nathan supposed to be here today? I’d like to get his ideas on a project I’m thinking about.”
“Not today, but I’ll let him know you’re looking for him. He’s a good guy. Getting another project will help them get through the winter. Not a lot of building’s going on with all this snow.” He said his goodbyes and went down the hall to where his new apartment would be after the classrooms were modified. He’d chosen the two at the end of the hall under the library so if Miawanted to rent it out, the new occupant would have some privacy from the classrooms she wanted to set up for a future cooking school.
Too many plans, not enough money.
Except for the allowance from the coven. She felt conflicted. Having the money would be nice, but it seemed like a trap. A way for the coven, local or not, to get its claws into her. She was sure they weren’t offering a free lunch, but she still didn’t know what the fine print on this contract said. She didn’t trust anyone who said there weren’t strings.
Damien was right about one thing. She needed to cook.
Mia walked to the kitchen and ran into Grans.
“Hey, Grans?” Mia paused. “How does Muffy feel about Robert?”
The answer might just sway her decision on which horse to pick in this race, although she already had an idea.
“Oh, they’ve never gotten along all that well. He’s not used to pets. His familiar is a raven.”
Christina called at three and asked if they could go to dinner in Twin Falls. Mia set down the book and stood up, moving Mr. Darcy off her lap. She only had three more chapters, but friends came first. Especially ones who didn’t live with her at the academy anymore.
“Of course; what time do you want to leave?” She glanced in the mirror to check her hair.
“Can you be ready in fifteen? That way we can dosome shopping and walk the mall before we eat,” Christina responded.
“Sure, girls’ trip?” Mia asked, which seemed more polite than asking if Levi was tagging along.
“Levi’s heading to his folks’ for dinner. Will your grandmother be okay alone?”
Grans had told Mia she had dinner plans with Robert to make some decisions.
“She has plans. I’ll see you downstairs in fifteen.”
Mr. Darcy followed her to her bedroom and watched as she got ready. “I’ll feed you now and let Damien know you’re going to be alone tonight. I don’t know what time he’s leaving, but I suspect he’ll stay around until Grans comes back from dinner.”
Mr. Darcy yawned like he didn’t care what the humans were doing, but Mia felt his relief. “Oh, and Muffy will be here.”
His tail flicked as he walked away. Apparently that hadn’t been the answer he wanted.