Page 61 of Echoes of the Banshee

“Seriously, is your friend a bulldozer?” Thea asks, twisting slightly to create space that clearly doesn’t exist.

“You sure you want to sit that close, or are you testing my patience?” I try to shove Benson out the booth but he doesn’t budge, damn goblin strength.

“Aw, c’mon,” Benson says. “It’s a human sandwich. Who doesn’t love a human sandwich?”

Any hope of personal space vanishes when they both shove us again, sealing the sandwich with a final squish that leaves me practically a part of Thea.

My friends are jerks.

“Do all wolves think personal space is optional, or is it just you?” Thea asks Dylan before whispering to me, “Tickles or wet willies?”

“Wet willies, obviously.” And just like that, we’re on the offensive, jabbing, prodding and spit flying with the ferocity of a two-person army, tossing wet willies like we’ve been trained for it.

Benson and Dylan retreat so fast they both topple out of the booth, leaving Thea and me breathless and triumphant.

“Human sandwiches are usually more enjoyable,” Benson grumbles, dramatically wiping his ear like he’s been mortally wounded.

“If you’re not willing to get a little spit in your ear, why even show up?” Thea fires back, her grin smug and remorseless.

Benson climbs into the booth and gives Thea a stunned once-over. “Holy shit, those are some green eyes. They real?”

“Yup. Stole them from a pixie queen. Bitch cursed me with eternal beauty.” Thea’s smile turns wicked. “Could use some hair to match… would it be ironic to scalp a goblin with a goblin blade?”

I can see Benson torn between laughter and indignation. “So, you’ve got teeth.”

“I do. Want me to demonstrate on your arm or just your ego?” Thea quips, wiggling her eyebrows. Benson snorts begrudgingly.

“I can see why you like her company,” Dylan announces, sitting down beside Thea. “I was worried we’d lost you to a boring piece of ass.”

Thea gasps dramatically, clutching her chest. “Excuse me?” she exclaims. Her tone is high and scandalized as she looks at Dylan with wide, indignant eyes. “A piece of ass? How dare you?”

The table goes quiet. Did she take offense? Just as the tension begins to rise, she leans in with an impish smile.

“Let’s be clear, I’m a complete ass.”

There’s a beat of stunned silence, then we burst into laughter. Loud enough to draw a few glances from nearby tables.

“Alright, complete ass. You got a name?” Benson asks even though I know he already knows.

“Thea,” she replies with a smile. She rolls with it like a pro. And damn if I don’t like that more than I should.

“These idiots are Benson and Dylan,” I tell her. “My current teammates and soon-to-be ex-friends,”

“Is that like X-Men?” she asks, suppressing a smile. “No wait The Bulldozer, the Human Sandwich, and…” Her gaze lands on me and I know I’m in trouble. “You’re definitely Mr. Charming-on-Command.”

She grins. “Or Mr. COC, for short.”

“Mr. COC?” Dylan repeats, blinking like he’s not sure he heard right.

Benson snorts first, trying to hold it in then loses the battle. “Nope. That’s it. You’re done.”

Dylan breaks into a laugh, shaking his head.

“Mr. COC,” Benson mutters again, grinning. “I’m never calling you anything else.”

I groan, rubbing my face and trying not to smile. “You’re the worst, Thea.”

“Correction,” she says sweetly. “I’m accurate.”