Chapter 36
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Daphne
Our last group date was at Mama Luigi’s restaurant, located just off Nightshade Avenue and down a quaint cobblestone alleyway. Twinkle lights—actual lights, not fairy sprites—hung from potted crab apple trees and draped across the walkway.
I was surprised to learn that the island had two Italian restaurants. Apparently, the owners used to be married, but they got divorced and now competed for business. But who was I to complain? It was one of my favorite cuisines.
Once inside, we were led to a private room in the back with a large round table.
Mia grabbed the spot next to Travis, and Lauren picked the other side.
I took a seat directly opposite him. I enjoyed looking at him from a slight distance anyway.
Gave me a nice perspective. He shot a heated glance at me as if he knew exactly what I was thinking.
My primo piatto was a vegetarian minestrone soup and was delicious. Mia had chosen the risotto, and I was surprised she was actually eating it. Either she wasn’t trying to impress Travis anymore or it was just too delicious to resist.
After the main course—my lasagna was chef’s-kiss amazing—Travis nodded to our server, who brought out tall flutes of champagne on a very tiny platter.
He tapped on his glass with a fork to get everyone’s attention. “With things wrapping up, I wanted to take this opportunity to say a few words. First of all, it’s been my pleasure getting to know all of you, and to the camera crew, bravo!”
Everyone clapped and he continued.
“Mia, I’ve checked out your social media profiles, and I love your vibe.
Brands would be crazy not to partner with you.
Lauren, your fitness videos are incredible.
I think my personal trainer can get some tips from you.
Alice, your music is amazing. I’ve already mentioned you to the Secret Shadows producers, who are committed to showcasing indie artists next season.
And Daphne,” he said, turning to fully face me, “Your lotions and potions are remarkable. You seem to know exactly what someone needs, even if they don’t know it at first. No doubt you’re a wonderful lab tech and very accurate with your measurements. ”
The room buzzed with laughter. Mia bounced in her seat with delight, Lauren did a silly biceps ‘which way to the beach’ pose, and Alice fanned herself with a napkin.
Travis tapped his glass again. “Which is why I’m going to break dating show protocol tonight.
I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for all of you and don’t want you to be blindsided at the final charm ceremony.
” He gave a dramatic pause and looked around the table at each of us.
He was really good at this. Everyone hovered on his every word.
“But I’m choosing Daphne. Or rather, Daphne let me choose her. ”
My heart jumped to my throat, and chills skittered down my arms at his public proclamation. Part of me, the part that had been left at the altar once, wondered if he would really go through with it.
The room erupted and all the women looked at me. I expected to see at least a little malice, but all I saw were smiles.
Mia was the first to rush to me. For a half-vampire, she gave great bear-hugs.
Then the others joined her in a group hug around me.
We laughed and exchanged stories, with Mia saying she knew from the start that he was going to pick me.
She said it with the confidence of a content creator who went viral and now sells a course.
From the other side of the table, Travis was grinning. It was crazy to think that I’d met this incredible man in a supernatural dating contest, and my rivals were happy for me. It reminded me of one of my favorite island slogans: I found myself, and my people, on Darkaway Island.
When it came time for dessert, we made our way back to our seats. It was a house-made ricotta with lemon/raspberry sauce, and I couldn’t wait to dig in.
But as soon as the crystal dish was set in front of me, I caught a whiff that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I could eat it, but something told me Travis shouldn’t, and a vision flashed before my eyes of him clutching at his throat, trying to breathe.
He was talking to Lauren and had already dipped his spoon into the dessert.
“Travis, stop!”
He looked over at me, the spoon inches from his mouth. Had he already taken a bite?
Without thinking, I leaped across the table, scattering plates and cutlery, and batted the spoon from his hand.
Mia gaped at me and someone screamed.
Travis looked disconcerted. “Daphne, what—?”
“The dessert. It’s got…” I didn’t know exactly what substance was in it. All I knew was that it could kill Travis if he ate it. As I climbed off the table, it came to me. A lycanthrope weakness. Of course.
“Wolfsbane,” I blurted. “The dessert has wolfsbane in it.”
“Wolfsbane!” he exclaimed, taking a step backwards. “That’s poisonous to werewolves.”
At some point, Jada had told the crew to stop filming. “What’s wolfsbane doing in the dessert?” she demanded to the waitstaff, who stood bewildered near the door.
Then the chef came out of the kitchen. A rotund man, he twisted his hands in front of him like he was kneading a ball of dough. “What is the problem here?”
“The problem is,” Jada said through clenched teeth, carefully enunciating each word as if she might shift and do some real harm, “is that Daphne says there’s wolfsbane in the dessert. Why would that substance be in the dessert? One small taste makes our kind very sick. More than that is deadly.”
The chef sputtered in disbelief. “Impossible. I’ve never cooked with wolfsbane in my life. I don’t keep it in my kitchen.”
I appreciated Jada’s belief in me, but a terrifying thought occurred to me. What if I were wrong? What if I’d made a complete fool of myself and—
No, I wasn’t wrong. I was sure of it.
I went back to my side of the table and grabbed my dessert, since I’d splattered Travis’s all over the floor.
It was still artfully plated in a crystal goblet with layers of raspberry sauce between the dollops of sweet ricotta and a sprinkle of lemon zest on top.
It really looked delicious. I held it to my nose and sniffed.
There was definitely something in this that would make Travis sick. I felt it in my bones.
“Here,” I said to the chef. “Try mine.”
The chef huffed over, examined my dish and then his whole demeanor changed. “Who garnished these desserts?” Then he pulled a spoon from his apron and took a bite. Although I didn’t know what kind of magical creature he was, I’m guessing he wasn’t a werewolf.
His eyes widened. “It’s wolfsbane all right.” His face went ashen as he turned to Travis. “I’m terribly sorry, Mr. Monroe. I…I…don’t know how this could have happened.”