Page 22 of A Siren Song for Christmas

Pixie dust burst around Cas. He clapped his hands. “My baby boy is going on a date!”

“He really is growing up!” Lacy wiped at an imagined tear.

“I’m nineteen!” Trent proclaimed. “And you’re only a year older than me.” He pointed a finger at Lacy. And Trent knew for a fact that at his age, Lacy had been going to wild parties and was no virgin.

Which maybe was part of the reason everyone kept treating him like a baby. He was just less experienced than the rest of them.

“You’re acting like no one in this family has ever been on a date before!” Trent said. “I mean, you all have mates or partners!”

“I don’t!” Leo corrected.

“But you don’t go on dates ever,” Lacy pointed out. “So we’re excited for you!”

Trent rolled his eyes. But secretly he was thrilled. After all, she wasn’t wrong. In fact this would be his first official date. But they didn’t need to know that.

“Who’s the lucky individual?” Leo asked.

Trent licked his lips. He hesitated, not knowing if he wanted to tell them. But why shouldn’t he? After all, he was going to bring Mr Marin here to the Christmas markets. Unless he planned to avoid their stall entirely, they’d find out who his date was.

“Ah…you know the Aquatic Horticultural Emporium?” Trent met their gazes.

Cas and Lacy looked blankly at him.

But Leo threw his head back and laughed. “You mean where you’ve been going every day for months? You met someone there? Is that why you always offer to go?”

Of course Leo knew all about his daily visit to the emporium. After all, he was Jasper’s twin.

“That’s not why I’ve been going!” Trent’s cheeks flushed. “I wanted to be helpful!”

Leo stopped laughing but continued to smile. “Sorry, Trent. Didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

“You didn’t,” Trent lied. “I’m fine.”

“What is this Aquatic Horticultural Emporium?” Cas glanced between them. “Why have I never heard of it?”

“It’s a speciality shop that sells the elothea seeds for Jas’s tea that the healer prescribed for him,” Leo explained. “Trent goesevery day to get the seeds. It’s been a big help,” Leo said, as if trying to make up for his earlier teasing.

“And you’ve met someone there?” Cas’s wings fluttered faster.

Trent nodded. “Mr Marin, the siren who owns the store.”

“A siren!” Lacy exclaimed. “Is he handsome?”

Again Trent nodded. “But honestly, I doubt it will go anywhere. I’m surprised he even agreed to go with me when I asked.” He focused his gaze on the pastries he straightened. “Actually he said no at first?—”

“What? He said no to you?” Cas interrupted. “Why would he say no?”

“Why would he say yes?” Trent blurted.

Cas reeled as if slapped.

“I mean… It was a misunderstanding,” Trent rushed out. “He thought I was asking if he liked the Christmas markets in general. I wasn’t clear that I was asking him on a date. But when he realised I was asking if he wanted to go with me, then he agreed.”

He swallowed, looking down again. “But honestly, I’m kind of surprised he said yes. I’m not sure why he’d want to go on a date with me.”

“Trent!” Cas flew in close again, his arm slipping around Trent’s shoulders. “You’re beautiful and caring and sweet and wonderful.”

Leo and Lacy made noises of agreement.