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“Probably.” Kahn agreed, taking that non sequitur as an olive branch. He was willing to discuss whatever Randa wanted, even though he didn’t much care about Rysimer and Jules love lives.

He was solely focused on his own.

He sat down on the irritatingly tiny sofa, because it would make him seem less threatening. Kahn didn’t want to loom over her. It might cause her to fear him.

“But I didn’t kill Isaacs at dinner tonight.” He wanted some credit for that. “The others will have to follow my example of self-restraint and behave at dinner tomorrow.”

“Tallulah Jayne is the one I’m really worried about. I don’t trust her to do right by Rye. She’s so spoiled and flighty and just awful, in so many ways.”

Kahn couldn’t disagree, but there was nothing to be done. “Rye says his energy is calling to her.” If it felt anything like what Kahn experienced near Randa, there was no way Rysimer could ignore it.

Randa heaved a sigh. “I think setting her loose with Julius, Rye, and poor Dr. Ashley will lead to more arrests. Or maybe a podcast where Tallulah Jayne tricks Rye into explaining the entire history of Elementals to unsuspecting humans worldwide.”

“Uh-huh.” Kahn tried to concentrate on her words, but it was hard. His gaze traveled over Randa’s face, struck anew by how stunning she was. She’d always been the most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen, but somehow she got more and more beautiful the longer he knew her.

“They’re going to need supervision.” She said, focusing intently on drying each one of her fingers like it took the utmost concentration. “We need to go with them on this double date.”

Kahn jerked back to the conversation. “Huh?”

“Julius and Rye. We should go with them and make sure they don’t do anything stupid.”

“You and me… go on a date?”

“Well, we wouldn’t be on a date.” Her cheeks flushed. “We’d just be supervising their dates.”

“Yes!” Kahn agreed enthusiastically, shocked by his good luck. “Yes, great idea.” This could be an opportunity for her to begin softening towards him. Julius and Rye could do whatever the hell they wanted, and he’d focus on wooing his own woman. What were the odds that she’d suggest such a brilliant opening for him? “We should go on the date. To supervise everyone else’s dates.”

Randa nodded, looking everywhere but him. “I’ll make reservations at the restaurant.”

“You should give me the rest of your phone number, so we can coordinate the planning.” He tried a smile. “I’m very good at texting.”

“I doubt you’ve ever texted anyone before in your whole life.”

That was an accurate guess, but still… “I’m good at texting you. Let me prove it.”

“I’m not giving you my phone number.”

“Just tell me one more digit of it, then. That can’t hurt anything. What can I do with one little digit?”

“Three.” She said with a roll of her lovely eyes. “And anyway, there’s nothing to coordinate about this date. I already know that Tallulah Jayne expects to go to the fanciest place in town. It’s down on the pier, so it will be expensive.” She sounded resigned about the cost.

Kahn was good at strategy. She’d fight if he told her he was paying for her meal, so he employed misdirection. “Rye and Jules need to pay for both of us.” His tone went indignant. “It’s their duty.”

“That wouldn’t be fair.”

“You’re their Matchmaker. Ensuring they don’t screw up this human dinner is part of your job. Since we’re doing this for them, they foot the bill. They must show their prospective mates that they can provide for them.” That part was usually showcased through hunting prowess and not just buying the women food, but the logic still made perfect sense.

Even Randa seemed halfway convinced. “I suppose it could be seen as --like-- my per diem?” She allowed, making it sound like a question.

“It is that.” Kahn agreed with utter certainty, although he wasn’t sure exactly what it meant. They were speaking Elemental, but the phrase sounded human. The exact definition didn’t matter. Getting her fed mattered, and this was the way to achieve that goal. “Would you be going to this restaurant on your own?”

“Of course not.”

“See?” He waved an “it’s all settled” sort of hand. “No one who cooks like you, wastes their time with other people’s food.”

Her eyes flicked over to his. “You really liked dinner?”

“Was I too subtle about my enjoyment?”