Chapter 33
At Mattie’s suggestion, they got moussaka from Apollo’s and went back to her place.
It was too risky to discuss what was about to happen while surrounded with tourists who would actually understand them, and he had to take her home anyway.
Fine with her. She didn’t feel much like being around anyone but Gunnar right now.
He was quiet as he drove. No doubt he had a lot on his mind. She did too.
He parked, and she got the takeout bag while he got the bag from Full Moon Provisions. They went inside, Blueberry flying ahead of them.
“You want to eat at the table or watch that episode of Time Traveling Accountant we never got to? I’m fine with either,” she quickly added. He might very well not want to think about the falls right now.
“Yeah, that would be okay. Last meal and some TTA.”
“Gunnar.” She shot him a look as she flipped on the kitchen lights. “Could you not say things like last meal?”
He smiled. “I don’t believe in jinxes, just so you know.”
“Well, that helps tremendously.”
He set the shopping bag of supplies by the table. “I’ll go turn the TV on.”
She shook her head. How he could be cavalier about such a thing, she had no idea. Maybe it was his way of dealing with the very real danger that awaited. Gallows humor, they called it.
She unloaded the takeout containers. Besides the moussaka, there were small Greek salads included with the meal and some bread.
Blueberry buzzed around her. “I want pizza.”
“Okay, give me a minute and I’ll heat it up.”
“I can eat it cold. I’m hungry now.”
She held up her hands in surrender. “All right, you win.”
Gunnar came in. “What does he want?”
“Pizza. Can you get him a slice? There’s some left.”
“Come on, Blue. I’ll hook you up.” Gunnar retrieved the leftovers from the fridge, then got a plate out.
She glanced over. “We need plates, too.”
He looked at her. “If we eat right out of the containers, there’s less to wash.”
“That’s such a man’s way of looking at things. If you don’t have a plate, where are you going to put your salad and your bread?”
“The bread can go right on top of the moussaka. The salad can stay right in its container. I’m not eating that.”
“I love the Greek salad. It’s so good.”
“Then you can eat mine.”
She chuckled softly. She’d put both salads in the fridge and have them tomorrow for lunch. If she was in the mood to eat tomorrow. That sort of put things in perspective. “Okay, no plates.”
Blueberry flew a little higher. “Do I have to have a plate?”
That wasn’t even a question. She answered him. “Yes, because you eat with the finesse of a third grader.”
“Don’t argue, Blueberry.” Gunnar already had the slice on a plate. “Come on. I’ll carry it for you.” He headed for the living room, Blueberry winging along beside him.
She stared after them, amazed. When had those two become friends? She wasn’t sure, but she had a pretty strong feeling that Blueberry would be wrecked if something happened to Gunnar.
Who was she kidding? She would be too.
The entire situation pressed down on her like a weight she was powerless to lift. Yes, the amulet had to be retrieved. She just didn’t want Gunnar to have to be the one to do it.
She grabbed forks as he returned.
He stopped next to her. “I told him not to make a mess and to eat over the plate.”
She nodded. “Thanks. Maybe he’ll listen to you. What time do you want to go?”
He glanced at the clock. “Midnight should be all right. There won’t be many tourists around then. At least there shouldn’t be.”
“What if a few come by while you’re in the water? With a nearly full moon, there might be some hoping to catch the moonbow.”
“True.” He thought a moment. “Tell them we’re doing falls maintenance.”
She made a face. “You really think that’ll fly?”
“Yeah, I do. I had a woman last month ask if we turned the falls up during the summer to make them more impressive.”
“Seriously?”
“I couldn’t make that up. Some of them aren’t the sharpest.”
“I know that’s true. That’ll be the story then.” She took a breath, catching a whiff of his cologne. She held on to the back of a chair for a moment, steadying herself as the impact of what lay ahead for him hit her.
“You okay?”
She wasn’t. “I’m going to be worried about you until you’re out of the water and standing next to me. I can’t help that.”
He nodded, his expression softening. “I know, just like I know nothing I say is going to make you feel better until this is over.”
“You’re right.”
“Just understand that I am going to do everything in my power to get this done without causing myself any harm. No heroics. I’m going to get the amulet and get out. I’m not trying to prove anything to myself or to Alice or to anyone.”
“Good. Because for some reason, I like you. I like having you around. And if anything were to happen to you …”
“It won’t.” There was a depth in his gaze she’d never seen before. “I like you, too. Except I’m pretty sure about the reasons.” He slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. “I hope you’re okay with that.”
“I’m more than okay with that.” She looked up at him. “Even if you are a shifter. And a loner. And a terrible grump at times.”
“Naming my best qualities is a weird way to argue.”
She laughed, despite her mood. “Come on. Let’s eat and see if we can forget about this for a few minutes.”
“You got it.” He picked up the takeout containers.
She opened the fridge and got the iced tea out, filling two glasses and carrying them and the forks to the living room.
They settled in. It felt oddly routine to her now, to be with him and Blueberry, just sharing a meal and hanging out. Like he’d become an integral part of their lives without her realizing it.
He pressed pause on the remote, which sat between them on the cushion. He gestured at the moussaka with his fork. “This is good.”
“Isn’t it? It’s one of my new favorite things. I love that deli. I go there a lot now. Been going since they opened. They buy honey from me for a couple of their desserts. Nice people, too.”
“It’s going on my list of places.” He hit play again.
They ate and watched the show, commenting on different scenes. It was a good episode. But Mattie never really forgot about the falls.
She did her best to make peace with things. She wanted the town to be safe again, for the supernatural citizens to be protected, for her own life to remain as it was.
She tried to look on the bright side, too. Blueberry wasn’t being blamed. Gunnar was going to get a raise and job security. Those were good things.
Just like having Gunnar in her life.
Going through all this had certainly been interesting. It had brought them together in a way she couldn’t have predicted. She really hadn’t liked him when she’d first met him.
And even though she’d called him grumpy in the kitchen, he wasn’t that grumpy anymore. He didn’t seem like much of a loner, either. Not when he was so willing to hang out with her all the time.
His attitude about the whole amulet situation was a lot better than she’d expected, too. Something in him had changed.
But then, something in her had changed, too, since meeting him.
Was this what it felt like to fall in love?
She’d thought she’d been in love with Aaron. Now, she wasn’t so sure. She glanced at Gunnar.
He was so much more than just a handsome face. He was a good man, willing to sacrifice himself for people he didn’t even know. Just because it was the right thing to do.
How could she not fall in love with a guy like that?