Page 48 of Midnight Ink

“Help yourselves. There’s plenty.” I wait for someone else to move, and once Violet grabs her food I start. I’ve never tried scallion pancakes, but they smell incredible. “There’s sauce over there for them. The lighter one is a soy sauce with chili flakes, and the other is a black vinegar with garlic in it.

“Thank you.” I take the black vinegar one and poor some in a small dish she slides my way.

Julian ladles some soup into his bowl, then some tofu, a small portion of ziti, and a couple of pancakes, getting a little bit of everything. “So.” Xia smiles. “What brings you all to North Carolina?”

“We were on our way to Puerto Rico, but our flight was cancelled,” I say.

“We didn’t know there was a storm incoming. We should have planned better.”

“We shouldn’t have left it to Anna,” I whisper. “It’s okay, though. We’re just a bit tired.” I look around the cozy dining room. Unlike the rest of this barren house, this room is full of warmth. “So, do you two own this house or⁠—”

“Yes.” Xia looks to her husband, whose eyes soften on her before looking at us warily. What is his problem? “We used to live in London, but we wanted to start a family and moved back to the states to be closer to his family.”

“How did you two meet?” Julian asks.

Alexander’s eyes light up, and I think it’s the most emotion I’ve seen from her husband yet. “We met my last year of school.” He smiles. “One look at her and that was it for me.”

“Love at first sight?” I ask.

“Oh, god no,” he laughs. “At least not on her end.”

She slaps his arm playfully. “You have to make them work for it.” She smiles at him. “We lived in London for a while. I’ve always had dreams of opening a bed and breakfast. Lots of people passing through. Making them food. Sharing memories.” She says that last part sadly.

I take a bite of my pancake. “Oh, wow, this is amazing.” I look over at Julian who’s demolishing his soup. “I think he thinks so too.”

“Thank you.” She takes a piece of tofu. “So, what about you two, friends or⁠—”

“Xia.” Alexander chides her.

“Uh, friends. We’re friends.” I answer for Julian who’s moved on to his pancakes. “Hungry?” My brows rise and he gives me a shy smile. “We own a tattoo shop together.” Her eyes go to my tattoos. “We uh, we’re on vacation.”

“Well, that’s amazing. Those tattoos . . .” She points to my chest and the galaxy sneaking out. “Is that yours?” she asks him. The question punches my gut.

“Oh, no. Um, his um, his boyfriend did that.” I watch the two of them and gauge how they feel about that. You never know with people, and with the way Alexander seems to be acting toward us I’m not sure what his deal is.

“Oh, well, he’s very talented.” She smiles kindly.

“He was, yeah.” It slips out. “I mean—” I swallow.

“He uh . . .” Julian looks at me. “He passed a while back.”

“Oh, you poor thing. I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have⁠—”

“No, it’s okay.” I take a sip of my water, just needing a minute. “It’s okay. We um, just thought we needed a vacation. Our shop’s very busy.” A little nervous but wanting to cut the tension, I stand, lifting my jeans and showing them the knight on my leg. “He did do this, though.”

“Oh, wow,” Violet says. “Can I get a tattoo?”

I roll my pant leg back down with a laugh. “Not until you’re older,” her father says.

“Thank you both for choosing us for your stay.” Xia smiles at her husband. “It’s nice having guests here.”

“It’s a cute house.” I try and make that sound as sincere as possible.

“It’s a little rough, it’s okay, you can say it.” She looks down at her plate. “With the other hotels so close we don’t get as many visitors. So this is nice,” she says sadly, eating one of her pancakes. I watch Alexander reach over and squeeze her arm. “Are there any requests for breakfast?”

“We’re pretty flexible,” Julian says. “He’ll eat literally anything. I just don’t like seafood.”

“Noted.” She smiles, looking at her husband. The scrutiny melts from his face as he looks at her. I’m not sure what his problem is, but I can see how much he loves her.