Charming (Exiled Book 3) by Victoria Danann Page B

housekeeping, he decided the bed could go a day without being made. He pulled the door closed instead.
     
    The conversation on the balcony was followed by another hour of tossing and turning, Ana had slept. When the alarm went off, she felt sure that she’d just drifted off. She groaned, cursed the alarm that didn’t have a snooze feature, and dragged herself out of bed. She wouldn’t really call the result a standing position, more like a Quasimodo hunch, but she managed to get to the bathroom without falling over.
    After repeatedly burying her face in cold water, she was beginning to feel conscious. She pulled her hair into a severe ponytail because nobody likes hair in food, rubbed some long lasting salve on her lips that would keep them moist and plump for most of the day and headed for the bakery.
    Charming’s door was closed, which didn’t surprise her because he was up as late as she was. Not wanting to disturb him, she tried not to make any noise and didn’t turn on any lights on her way out. When she reached for the front door knob, her hand ended up on something much warmer and slightly softer.
    She jumped back with a squeak as Charming laughed.
    “You can’t see in the dark at all , can you? It’s like you’re completely blind.”
    “No,” she hissed. “I can’t see in the dark.”
    “That would be awful.” He was still laughing. “And, forgive me for saying it, but you can’t hear worth a damn either.”
    She wished she could see his face, but it was too dark. “Well, not all of us can be X-Men, Charming.”
    “I don’t know what that is.”
    “Super beings.”
    He cocked his head, though she couldn’t see well enough to know that. “You think I’m a super being?”
    She ignored the question. “What are you doing up? Your door was closed.”
    “I’m walking you to the bakery. I told you I would.”
    “Yes, but you were up late.”
    “You think I’m the kind of male who breaks promises because I’m up late?” He sounded offended.
    “Honestly? I don’t know you well enough to be an authority on all things Charming. I mean you have supper with me sometimes and we talk about the weather, the food, the skateboards in the park… you know. But you don’t say much that’s personal.”
    “Huh,” he said like that was a revelation. “Well, I’m not the kind of male who breaks promises for any reason, much less missing a little sleep.”
    “Good to know. And got to go. I told cookie man I’d be there at four.”
    Charming opened the door and the running lights in the hall illuminated the exit. “He doesn’t really go by ‘cookie man’,” he whispered.
    “Yes,” she whispered in return. “You should call him that when we get there.”
    Charming knew she was being sarcastic. He also knew it was a challenge.
     
    Ana knocked on the bakery door when they arrived. It was locked, but the lights were on inside.
    “Nervous?” Charming asked.
    “No. Should I be?”
    Charlie emerged from the back with keys in his hand. He hesitated when he saw that Ana had brought a celebrity.
    Ana smiled. “Hey, Charlie.” She breezed by him like she owned the place.
    “Hey,” he answered before looking at Charming.
    “Hey, Cookie Man,” said Charming.
    Ana grinned at Charming from Charlie’s other side.
    Charlie was clearly trying to decide how to react. “Um, hey? So you really did send her.”
    Charming’s smile faded. “You thought she’d lie about using my name?”
    Ana almost laughed out loud.
    “Well, no, I just… didn’t know you concerned yourself with things such as, ah, baked goods.”
    “Baked goods make the world go round. Don’t you agree?”
    “Well, they make my world go round.” He smiled, getting more comfortable in Charming’s presence. “Certainly.”
    “Then there you have it.”
    Charming turned to Ana. “See you at supper.”
    “Sure,” she said.
    “Oatmeal raisin,” he added.
    “Will do my best.”
    Charlie relocked the door when Charming left.