Page 69 of The Witching Hours

Nick said, “You look done for. How about pizza from Precio’s?”

“I HATE PRECIO’S PIZZA!” We both turned our heads toward the kitchen when we heard dishes rattle in the cabinets.

My hand covered my mouth when I realized that might’ve been an accidental use of “voice”.

“You may need to rein that in a bit,” Nick said calmly, his composure never wavering.

“Sorry,” I said. “I didn’t realize that could happen without intention.”

“Oh, there was intention. No question that you intended to let me know you don’t like Precio’s.” Nick chuckled. “So, noted. Let’s start over. Would you like takeout or delivery? I have a project to follow up on and can’t cook tonight.”

“Pasta primavera from Santino’s. I’ll go. I can walk from here, and honestly, I could do with a little air and exercise.”

“How did lessons go today? Well, I mean, I know things are going well because you can rattle dishes and all.”

Gods.I was lucky to be married to a man who could take anything in stride and joke about it, too.

“Making progress, but it’s… hard.”

He walked over, gave me a big warm hug, kissed me on the top of the head and said, “Nothing is beyond your reach.”

I watched him walk toward the closet-sized room we called a study.

Wow. Unflappable. Sense of humor. Believes I can move mountains. I’m a lucky girl.

I didn’t order ahead because I wanted an excuse to stroll past the marina. Plus, it sounded like Nick needed some time to finish his workaday. I saw a few boating neighbors and stopped for chats on the way then spent time people watching while waiting for Santino’s to bag up dinner.

We hadn’t seen any characters since Seven had interrupted our waterside dinner, but that didn’t mean that either of us were sleeping soundly. Any of them could return at any time. That unpredictability was the worst part of being their target.

“Are you awake?” Nick whispered half an hour after we’d gone to bed.

“Yeah. You?”

I felt him laugh silently. “Do you know yet when we’re going to attempt the thing?”

“I haven’t worked up the nerve to ask. Maybe I don’t want to know?”

“I couldn’t blame you for feeling that way. But since I’m your wingman I have to take time off work and convince the owners of the house to Airbnb for a day.”

“I’ll ask tomorrow.” I sighed. “Nick?”

“Yeah?”

“Is there a part of you that’s sorry you took on insanity by marriage?”

He chuckled softly. “You mean am I sorry I ever met you?”

“Well…”

“With all you have to offer? It’s a small price to pay.”

Gosh. How did I get so lucky? Oh, wait. I think I know the answer. If the cosmos really is fair, just, and balanced then he’s my reward. Lots of kids can say they were bullied. Not many can say they were terrorized by fictional characters who are invisible to almost everybody else.

He pulled me closer to nestle his side. “Don’t worry. We’re the dynamic duo.”

“Batman and Robin?”

“Hmmm.”