Page 90 of My Pleasure

Meryn wiped her nose on her sleeve. “He said, ‘You’ll continue to receive gifts until you no longer feel bad when you get them’.”

“That’s sweet,” Kiera said.

Hunter looked down at the other box. “What is in box number two?”

Aiden helped her open the second one while she twisted her wrist this way and that, admiring her new bracelet.

“Looks like bags,” Aiden said.

Meryn sniffed the air. “Coffee.” She looked down and picked up a folded piece of paper. “Okay, he’s forgiven.”

“Magnus?” Hunter asked.

“Yeah, he knew I’d be mad about him telling Uncle Bren what I said, so he sent me some really expensive coffee beans.” She shyly picked up a bag and hugged it.

“See, that wasn’t so bad, right?” Kiera asked.

“Yeah, I guess so.”

Aiden was trying to catch a glimpse of her bracelet.

She laughed. “You gonna stock up on Star Wars charms for later?”

“Absolutely. That way I have something on hand in case I make you mad. The charm bracelet I got you is almost full.”

She looked down and realized that tacos were on the table. She dropped the bag of coffee back into the box and held out her plate. “Four soft ones please.”

Ryuu took her plate, picked up a set of tongs and gave her four tacos. He then added cheese, sour cream, salsa, and banana peppers to her plate. “Here you go denka.”

Rory inhaled a taco, swallowed, then sighed. “I wish I could be a fly on the wall at your uncle’s place. I know he put that idiot Jaden up to that bullshit today.”

Neil looked to Meryn who was carefully crafting her first taco. “What bullshit?”

Meryn continued to concentrate on her food. “Douche Jaden. Kiera’s ex. Tried to hurt the Barbie chick. Pip choked him and the nice Councilwoman took him away,” she recapped.

Neil was nodding, until he heard Pip choked someone. “Are you okay Meryn?”

Meryn looked up. “Yeah, why?”

“Pip choked someone? Were you threatened?”

“Nah, just general douchery. I was afraid if Hunter or Aiden stepped in he would have been obliterated on the spot. Pip was more than enough for his ass.”

Nigel and Neil stood and went to either side of Pip, ruffling his hair.

“Look at baby badass!” Neil said.

“We’re so proud of you Pip!” Nigel added.

Around the heads of the twins sparkling lights flew between them.

Pip flexed his arms. “I am not a warrior, but that does not mean I cannot help.” He stuck his tongue out at Neil. “I am not a baby.”

“You’re our baby brother,” Neil corrected him.

“Oh yeah,” Pip conceded.

The boys sat back down and reached for more tacos.