Bridges Burned (Going Down in Flames #2)(23)
The scent of garlic and Italian spices filled the air.
It smelled fabulous, but their breath afterward wouldn’t. It’s not like they’d be kissing or anything. Because that was ridiculous. Well, not ridiculous, but she had enough crap to figure out about Zavien without complicating the situation by kissing the smoking-hot knight who was staring at her like he knew exactly what she was thinking.
Her face heated. “Sorry. Did you say something?”
“I asked you to grab the plates. They’re in the cabinet above the sink.”
“Sure.” She brought two plates to him. He arranged the chicken and vegetables in a pattern, making it attractive. “Before you say it, I know I’m not at work, but if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing right.”
“That sounds like a knightly thing to say.” She took her plate to the table.
He joined her. “More of a family motto.”
She realized she didn’t know much about him. “Has your family always owned Fonzoli’s?”
“The restaurant has been handed down through generations. My grandfather is the head chef, while my father manages the business end of things. Since I graduated from high school last spring, I’ve been working as a waiter while my grandfather trains me to make all the family recipes. When he retires, I’ll become head chef.”
It seemed weird to have your whole life planned out at eighteen. Then again, that seemed to be a common theme among dragon society. “Did you ever want to do anything else?”
“No.” He grinned. “I love everything about food because it makes people happy. Thank God, my sister loves the business side of the operation and she’ll replace my dad one day when he retires. My oldest brother wanted nothing to do with it. He works at the airfield, training pilots. What about your family?”
“My parents own a yoga and martial arts studio.”
“Is it true they live as humans?”
Bryn nodded. “I had no idea they were dragons. Flames shooting out of my mouth clued me in something was up.”
Valmont laughed and shook his head. “That had to be a shock.”
“A huge shock…but now I can’t imagine not living as a dragon. I want to become a medic and use my Quintessence, which I can’t do back in the human world.”
“Good to know you’re staying. I was worried you planned to leave. I don’t want to sound like a stalker, but since that dormant spell was activated, I can’t imagine not having you within arm’s reach, so to speak. The thought of you leaving and going someplace else makes me twitchy.”
She was happy to be right where she was, thank you very much, which brought another question to mind. “Not to be rude, but how can you afford your own house when you just graduated from high school?”
“There are two answers to that question. One, these cabins were originally part of the Directorate security system. Before everyone had phones, the knight’s descendants who lived here kept watch over the area and reported any threats. Since they are no longer needed in that sense, the Directorate donated the cabins to the town. Any knight’s descendant who wants one signs a contract agreeing to care for the property, and we pay a nominal fee. Two: the Directorate pays all the townspeople a livable wage for keeping their secret and promising to fight by their side, if necessary.”
“So that’s how you can afford a house and an awesome car.”
Valmont nodded. “And every job in Dragon’s Bluff is well paid. So it’s not like on television where lawyers act superior to waiters. Of course, the Blues act superior to everyone, but I think that’s genetic.”
Bryn chuckled. “I think you’re right about that.”
Being with Valmont was so easy. She could relax around him. He flirted enough to make her feel attractive, but not uncomfortable. If he were a dragon, he’d be the perfect guy. Then again, Zavien was a dragon and he was the perfect jackass.
After dinner she noticed a major appliance was missing from the kitchen. “You don’t have a dishwasher.”
“Yes. I do.” He pointed at her. “You can be the dishwasher or the dish drier, your choice.”
“Ha ha. I’ll dry.”
There wasn’t much to clean up. As she finished drying the last dish, she yawned.
Valmont checked his watch. “We better head back, it’s almost curfew.”
Facing reality didn’t sound like fun. “Can I hide here?”
Valmont grabbed her hand. “I’ll always be here for you.”
She wanted to stomp her feet like a toddler. “I’m happy here. If I go back there, I’ll have to deal with that jerk.”
“If you don’t want to deal with the idiot, don’t talk to him. Maybe you two will work this out. Maybe you won’t. Whatever happens, don’t give in too easily or he’ll think he can behave this way again.”
He wasn’t judging her, and she appreciated that. “Thanks. I’ll go change.”
“Wear my clothes back to school.” He gave a cocky grin. “That’ll annoy the hell out of him.”
She laughed. “Good idea.”
“I can only take the high road for so long.”
The ride back to campus ended too soon. Valmont insisted on walking her to the dorm, where he held the door open for her.