Page 103 of 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Forty-Two

“It.” He gestured toward her withthe towel he’d been using to dry glasses. “You know,that thing where you can read people’s minds.”

She crinkled one corner of her mouth. “I can’t read minds,boss.”

Every time she filled in at the bar, she called him boss.He couldn’t help but shake his head at the irony of it. She and her husbandwere rich-as-fuck gods as old as time itself. For real. He couldn’t make that shit up if he tried—he’d never been that creative.

“I can only read emotions,” she continued, her admonishingtone making it sound like he was a stone’s throw away from becoming the villageidiot. “Of the living, anyway. And right now, she’s only pretending to be intoDr. Farrow.”

“Dr. Farrow?” He turned back to the trio. “When exactly didyour husband have time to go to medical school?” Especially since the two ofthem had spent the last five years in celestial bliss, watching over theirdaughter from the heavens. They’d only recently decided to come back to Earthafter the girl’s recent jaunt abroad—to be closer to their daughter should sheneed them.

But that was the part he didn’t understand. Charley Davidsonand Reyes Farrow—aka, the grim reaper and the son of Satan—had come backincognito, so to speak. Elwyn had no clue that the owners of her new favoritecoffee shop were her biological parents. But why? Why keep theiridentities a secret?

Though he had yet to get around to it, Donovan vowed to getto the bottom of their subterfuge. He knew they had their reasons. And theywere likely damned good ones if he knew CharleyDavidson. He just wanted to know what they were.

“I have no idea,” Charley said, answering his question. “Butthat man is a prodigy when it comes to female anatomy. Medical school is theonly explanation.” She looked up in thought and pursed her lips, causingdimples to form on either side of her mouth. “Although I suppose there could beone other explanation.” She bounced back and refocused on her dark husband. Ahusband whose eyes were locked on her, despite the companion he had on eitherarm. “Nope. That’s the only possible explanation.”

A hint of a smile flashed across Farrow’s face as though hecould hear every word his wife said. The place wasn’t exactly hopping, but itwas loud enough to make hearing a quiet conversation from ten feet awaydifficult. Especially with Sweet Home Alabama cranked up andcoming through the speakers. Even so, the fact that Farrow could hear theirconversation hardly surprised Donovan. The man was a celestial being, afterall.

Charley crossed her arms over her chest and studied her man.

He studied her back.

“I am clearly not using my husband to his full potential.”Charley refocused on Donovan. “Can he make a mean mocha latte?”

“No idea.”

“Yes. Can he whip up a batch of chocolate syrup I’d pay tobathe in?”

“Let me guess...”

“Yes. But is that enough?”

Though the question was clearly rhetorical, he answered,“I’m guessing no.”

“Exactly.” She pointed her chin at the errant man. “We couldmake a fortune using his medical degree to become an OBGYN to the stars. Richwomen love sexy doctors.”

Donovan cleared his throat and went back to drying glasses.“TMI. But thanks, sweetheart. And why is she only pretending?”

Charley blinked at him. “Who?”

“The blonde.” Donovan gestured toward the woman. “You saidshe’s only pretending to be into your lesser half.”

“Oh, right.” Charley eased closer and lowered her voice.“Think about it. You’re here with a stunning Brazilian and only pretending tobe into the hot guy at the bar. Why do you think she’d do that?” When he onlyraised a brow, she rolled her eyes, looking so much like her daughter itstunned him for a minute. “To spend more time with her crush.”

“The Brazilian,” he said matter-of-factly.

“Now, you’re getting it.”

“So, she’s in love with her friend. Whydoes that make her batshit?”

“Because the jealousy pulsing out of her is bright andsharp. It’s like staring into one of those huge lamps in a lighthouse withoutblinking. I’m a little worried for the Brazilian.” She wiped down the bar,making her way closer to Farrow.

Her husband winked at her, again obviously in on theirconversation, then looked at Donovan as he joined them. “I need a dime,” hesaid.

Charley tsked. “I gave you a dollarbefore we left the house. Did you spend it all already?”

When Farrow only grinned at her and leveled a purposefulstare on Donovan, he frowned and reached into hispocket. Not without complaint, however. “Why do you need a dime? I thought youwere a billionaire.”

His comment surprised both women. The Brazilian raised abrow, impressed, but the blonde seemed to take a more active interest in theman beside her. She slunk closer and slipped an arm into his.