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“It’s a thousand dollars,” Arran sighs, counting it out. “Dude.”

“You know you’re worth it,” Magnus says, lumbering away. He stops in front of me and holds his hand out, and I place my hand in his with an amused expression. “You think we’re entertaining, that’s excellent. I would hate to scare you away.”

“I don’t find you scary at all,” I admit. Liliana could totally take him.

He has a scar on his cheek that manages to make him look devilish, but I can see how it could make people weary.

“Damn. I fucking love you. She’s a keeper,” Magnus says over his shoulder to Arran. “I’ll have to find a reason to come back through San Diego. The traffic fucking sucks for a motorcycle rider.”

“I hate driving,” I admit. “I’ll do it, but I’d much rather stay in my corner.”

“Everything is walkable in this neighborhood, and we have everything you could need,” Jenna explains. “I’m envious of people who live here. It’s too expensive for me to move.”

“Smart too,” Magnus muses as he squeezes my hand before releasing it. “Take care of yourself.”

I watch as he walks out and Arran comes back over to me. I’ve hit my limit of staying in one place and can feel myself needing to move.

“I owe you, Jenna,” Arran says.

“No you don’t. Get gone,” she replies, shooing us out.

I breathe in a silent sigh of relief as we begin moving, and Arran holds my hand effortlessly as we walk.

“How was your day?”

“It was really good,” I grin. “Zayn was very unhappy to hear that I was leaving the house to go out on a date.”

“Oh?” he asks, amused. “Why is that?”

“I don’t date either. I’m sure that’s very apparent.”

“I figured I wasn’t explaining myself well enough,” Arran says. “Will you come to the festival with me on a date’ seems to have been the right call.”

I huff out a laugh as I nod, and try to ignore the amount of attention we’re getting. I am not ashamed to be seen with Arran, quite the contrary in fact. He’s a really good guy, the kind that helps little old ladies cross the street and single moms with their bags.

I’ve had a few people mention that he’d be a nice guy for me to date while I’ve been going along with my day. That’s what happens when you see the same people day in and day out.

“You’re kind of an enigma, Isla,” he murmurs.

I feel a stab of anxiety as I walk, waiting to see where this is going.

“Oh?”

“Mmhmm. I figure I’ll unravel what I’m meant to. I do have a question. Does Zayn see his dad at all?”

“Nope.” The word is one that reminds me of the Devils and I wince. I really don’t like saying it, despite how long it’s been.

“Alright. Is he dangerous? Do I need to put a protective watch out for a domestic violence kind of situation?” he asks.

“Ah, no. He doesn’t know Zayn exists. It’s just us.” That’s the most I’ve said about Alastair to anyone who doesn’t know the full story. I merely smile and tell people he’s not in the picture.

“That’s too bad for him,” Arran says, not knowing the way his words slice through my heart. I’m intentionally keeping Zayn away from Alastair. “Your son is really special. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes in his head. I can tell.”

“He’s quiet until it’s just us, and then he’s full of things to say,” I laugh. “He told me my blush was too loud today, and demanded I remember to wear the jewelry he bought me.”

“Damn. He buys jewelry. Zayn is lightyears ahead of most kids,” Arran chuckles.

“His grandfather took him to design it,” I shrug, lifting the pendant to show him. “He wanted to buy me something special.”