Page 65 of Shhh…It’s A Killer Story

"I've had worse."

"Name one."

"..."

"Exactly."

Gerald sighed dramatically from somewhere behind me.

"I give it thirty seconds before she says something strange."

"I heard that."

"I know."

The morning air still carried a bite to it, crisp enough to leave tiny clouds of breath hanging between the pine trees. Across the road, Elias's cottage looked exactly as it had yesterday: neat porch, boots lined beside the door, curtains open just enough to let the sunlight spill inside.

Organized, predictable yet comforting. I climbed the three wooden steps and knocked twice. Silence. Then footsteps heavy and measured. The sort of footsteps belonging to someone who always knew where they were going. The door opened.

Elias stood there in a charcoal Henley with the sleeves pushed to his forearms, dark jeans, and an expression that suggested he'd been awake for hours already. Max squeezed past his legs. The German shepherd made a beeline for me.

"Good morning to you too," I laughed, crouching as he leaned his entire weight against me.

"I see where your loyalties lie."

Max wagged harder.

"Traitor," Elias muttered.

I grinned up at him.

"I like him."

"He likes everyone."

"I choose to believe I'm special."

One corner of his mouth threatened to move. Threatened. It thought better of it. I straightened.

"So, I don’t think I have officially introduced myself to you. I’m Seraphina."

He waited.

"Coffee?"

He blinked.

"Coffee."

"Yes."

He was silent. Just staring at me as if I asked him if he had aliens in the cottage or something crazy.

"You look like you drink coffee."

"I do."

"Perfect."