Page 99 of Dark Island: Rescue

"I'm not. You people live in a commune."

She wasn't entirely wrong, but the thing was that the village was mostly one big family rather than a group of unrelated people living in the same area. A family lived by different rules.

"Oh, wow." Angelica looked at the interior of the house that had been gutted and reconfigured into a modern workspace. There were multiple computer workstations, large drawing and idea boards covered in sketches and notes, and comfortable seating areas for brainstorming sessions.

"This is amazing," Angelica said. "You two run this whole operation?"

Frankie pulled out a chair at one of the stations. "We are part of a team, and we are by no means the most important ones, so no, we don't run it. But we love working here. It's incredibly rewarding. You should try one of the romantic adventures with Edgar."

"I would love that." She looked up at him. "Would you?"

"With you, of course."

Angelica examined one of the drawing boards. "Putme down for something romantic. Somewhere Edgar and I can rekindle our romance." She cast him an accusing look. "You spent months lying to me about being immortal."

Edgar winced at the pointed reminder. He'd apologized repeatedly, but Angelica wasn't the type to let things go easily. She'd forgive him eventually, but not before extracting maximum guilt first.

"Done," Frankie said, pulling up something on her computer.

They spent another hour or so touring the village and ended back at the café to enjoy cappuccinos and pastries.

"Ready to see my place?" Edgar said after Margo and Frankie had left to start working on the dinner they were all supposed to share later.

"Yes, I am." She stood up. "Is it far?"

"Nothing is far in the village. The farthest is a twenty-minute easy walk."

"Will Morris be there?" She slipped her hand into his.

"Maybe. He doesn't share his schedule with me, especially since I was practically living with you for months."

She glared at him. "I assume that Morris is not the pig you described him to be, so I would stop asking to see your place."

"He's actually a nice guy, but he is a slob. I told him I'm bringing you over today, so I hope he tidied up a little."

They found Morris in the kitchen making coffee.

He looked up with curiosity, a goofy smile spreading over his face. "Hello, Angelica," he said, wiping his handson a dishtowel. "Edgar hasn't shut up about you for months." He offered her his hand. "I'm Morris."

"All good things, I hope," Angelica said, shaking his hand. "Because he lied about you and said some nasty things."

Morris winced. "Yeah, he told me. It's not easy keeping this place a secret. I'm sorry that he had to lie to you."

"He didn't have to. He could have told me the truth a long time ago." She cast Edgar another glare.

"I've apologized profusely already. What else do you want me to do?"

Morris cleared his throat. "Nice to finally meet you, Angelica, and welcome to immortality."

"Thanks. It's been weird."

"It gets less weird with time. You get used to it." Morris grabbed his coffee mug. "I'm heading out to visit a friend and give you two some privacy."

"You don't have to leave," Angelica protested.

"Oh yes, I do." He winked and headed out the door.

She turned to Edgar. "Did I scare him off?"