NOW...I could use some coffee.

After you get out of bed, Arabella follows you around, acting surprisingly puppy-like while you get ready for the day ahead. The only time she leaves is when you jump in the shower. However, she’s right back to following you once you get dressed.

It’s when you stop in the hallway you finally turn around and confront her. You weren’t exactly comfortable with the idea of her following you around, especially since she was so quiet. It was almost creepy…

“Check on Mikko and Gwendolion. I’m going to check up on payment for the rooms.” You tried to avoid telling her to buzz off directly, and it seemed to have worked.

She looked a little surprised but didn’t put up a fight. She peeled off your heel and made way for the twins. The tavern was pretty well much empty. More snow had arrived overnight, and this time it was here to stay. You got up to the window and stared out— there were about 2 inches along the ground.

If this keeps up, there won’t be any new contracts. Not locally anyway.

While you are looking out, someone from behind pokes your lower back, making you snap around. You’re greeted by a pair of sharp teal eyes and a toothy grin. It’s Delilah.

Your lips bend in the corners, though you can’t help but feel a little guilty for your past couple of decisions. The twins AND Arabella? Your dick was happy, but your brain was wondering if you should have gotten so serious with Delilah…

“Hey, baby girl.” You say, making her grin turn a little tighter.

“Baby girl?” She fights a smile as her brows furrow. “Is this the first time you’ve called me that?”

You think for a moment. It feels like it’s been forever since you’ve seen Delilah again. You’re happy to see her character once more, bright and cheery as usual too! “It might be. What else would you like to be called?”

She smiles again, but this time it’s followed by a small laugh. “You’re kind of putting me on the spot, don’t you think? Pet names don’t just fall out of the sky. Or not good ones at least. So what do you want me to call you?”

You think for a moment and smile at her slyly. “How about daddy?”

She scoffs. “That a kink of yours I don’t know about?”

“You’re the one who wanted to get dominated before I left,” you retort, wrapping your hands around her waist.

Delilah blushes, looking around the room to make sure no one is around to hear your comment. “Keep your voice down. I don’t want anyone to know that.”

“Why not?”

Her complexion goes back to its original rosy tan color before she exhales. “That’s our private life. It’s special.”

You kiss her, and she kisses back. “I just want to make the entire town jealous.”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m an outsider. No one is going to be jealous.”

You don’t say anything. You had a feeling there was more to this area than you realized but didn’t know how to dig into the subject. Would it even be worth the trouble? “Are there any more outsiders besides yourself?”

“Miranda,” she replies and then frowns. “And I think that’s all.”

You found yourself curious about the situation of Tiny’s Tavern’s location but didn’t dare add any more to your plate. “Where did you come from exactly?”

Delilah breaks the hug and steps back, looking at you. The teal of her eyes drifting all around you. She looks like she’s thinking hard about something. Your eyes lock briefly, and then she looks down.

You ask her. “What’s wrong?”

She shakes her head, giving a sad smile. “It’s nothing, I guess.”

You’re quiet for a moment, expecting her to say something else. “Delilah?”

Again, she shakes her head. “Warren. I said it’s nothing.” Delilah snaps at you before she takes a few steps back. “Listen, I gotta go back to work.”

“Wait,” you step forward. “About rent...when should I pay you?”

She swallows. “Just worry about it tonight. The owner of the tavern should be here. You might want to tell him about the creatures you brought back, I think he charges more, but it’s better if he hears it from you before finding out himself, mkay?”

When she walks away, you grab her wrist. “What’s wrong with you? Are you OK?”

Delilah yanks her away and rubs where you grabbed her. “I don’t want to talk about it with you right now.” Her voice is shaky and is threatening to break.

“You can tell me,” you tell her. “I love you.”

She closes her eyes. “Warren. Please. I don’t want to talk about it. Later, OK? I promise.”

When you look at Delilah, you can tell she’s seriously close to crying. You aren’t sure what you said or what you did, but you don’t want her to start breaking down in the lobby of the tavern, so you just nod, promising you’ll find her once she’s off work.

Once you go your separate ways, you grab your watery coffee and return to your room. You’re in there, so Arabella must still be with the twins. On your desk are your gear and a stack of contracts that you could still attempt doing. You bite the insides of your mouth and rubs the back of your neck, weighing the options.