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“There’s a what in Cassie’s front room?”
“You heard me, Stephanie Borden,” Martha waved to the bistro owner before leaning forward. “There’s a half-naked young man in Cassie’s front room.”
“Well, is he cute?” Stephanie lifted a hand up to brush a lock of hair aside while Martha stared at her, mouth agape. “Well, is he?”
“I wasn’t thinking of that when I saw him,” Martha said, standing up straight while thinking over Stephanie’s question. “He was heavily bandaged, poor thing. Though I guess the high school students here in Middleton would, in fact, go nuts for him. You, my dear,” the mayor continued, shaking a finger at Stephanie, “Are way too old for him.”
“Did Cassie tell you that he’s that young?” Stephanie let her eyebrows drift up.
“Well, no.”
“Then I might stand a chance if he’s not too young.”
“He looks younger than Brandon, for crying out loud!” Martha protested. She then leaned in. “And he’s also Cassie’s cousin, and I’d say she’s rather protective of him. Father’s side of the family.”
“So not magical.”
“Definitely magical! Apparently, Cassie’s father is what they’d call a Squid instead of a Muggle. And she’s also sure that the boy is quite gifted, but he’ll be staying with her.”
“For the meantime?”
“No. That’s just it. Cassie insists that it will be a permanent basis.” Martha paused, frowning. “And now that I think of it, she still hasn’t told me where he came from.” Martha shrugged it off. “Well. I’m planning a welcome party. Not right away, mind you, as Cassie’s right. He needs to heal up a bit, but now that I think of it, it would be nice to introduce him to some of the younger teens around here, right?”
“Martha, don’t jump the gun.”
“Come on. You’re thinking of taking him something after work.”
“Yes, well,” Stephanie smiled mischievously. “Cassie has an injured visiting family member, and with how kind she’s been, it wouldn’t hurt to check up on how they’re doing, right?”
“Well, I guess when you put it that way,” Martha turned to start away but then turned, shaking her finger. “Don’t over—well, he doesn’t need whatever it is. He does, in fact, seem like a sweet young man. And very shy as well. Cassie and I did most of the talking.”
“Are you sure you didn’t do most of the talking?” Stephanie asked.
“Oh! That might be true,” Martha said before turning again and this time leaving.
~
Stephanie took a deep breath.
And then she walked in, knowing everybody and everybody with good intentions was welcome at Gray house.
What she found wasn ’t what she expected—no, it wasn’t what she’d hoped for as she had been hoping that Cassie ’s family member would, in fact, be older than what he was, and yet—
“He’s so adorable!” Stephanie said as she stepped into the room, keeping her voice low as Cassie’s relative had fallen asleep with his head against Cassie’s shoulder and his feet in Brandon’s lap, all the while looking completely vulnerable. She shifted the food and coffee she’d brought, shaking her head, smiling. “And Martha’s right. You’re going to need to chase the teenage girls away, Cassie.”
Brandon cleared his throat. “I’ll be doing that, thank you very much.”
“Already protective of your new family member?” Stephanie asked.
“He’s had it rough,” Brandon said. There was a frown, his head turning to look at Cassie as if something were bothering him. “He’s not what I expected.”
“I know what you’re referring to,” Cassie said. “And we’ll discuss that later when I have Lori or George take Grace out to do something fun. There are some things I need to discuss with my cousin. And, rest assured. I’ll be letting my benefactor know Reggie is here.”
“Anyways,” Stephanie held up the bag. “I hope you don’t mind, but I brought some coffee,” she said, which made the young man sleeping on Cassie’s shoulder bat his eyes open. “And some food to welcome Reggie to Middleton.”
“Regulus,” the boy muttered, pushing himself into a sitting position to which it almost seemed as if he’d lost all charm as he blinked the sleep away. “Cassie’s only allowed to call me Reggie.”
“I see.”
It was then that he looked up, almost as if he ’d realized she was there. His cheeks began to heat up as he sat up straighter, only for his face to turn redder as he tried covering his upper torso with his arms making it rather obvious he was uncomfortable with her seeing that much skin. Cassie motioned for Brandon to hand her a blanket hanging on the other side of the couch, to which he obliged. This she, in turn, wrapped around Regulus’ shoulders, making it, so he was no longer half-naked in front of her. “That better.”
“Yes. Sorry for appearing in front of you in such a state of undress,” Regulus said, catching Stephanie off guard while Brandon let an eyebrow go up in amusement. He didn’t look her in the eye when he spoke. “My name is Regulus Arcturus Black. It’s nice to meet you.”
“I’m Stephanie Borden, a friend of Cassie’s, and I run The Bistro Cafe in town. I brought you some coffee. And a sandwich and chips.”
She held up the cup of coffee first, watching as Regulus gave the cup a strange look, his hand reaching to pull the lid off. Cassie quickly reached out to stop him. “Uh, you just drink through this part.”
“Isn’t this too much?”
“It’s not cafe noir,” Cassie said.
“Oh. Um. It’s a latte flavored with pumpkin spice,” Stephanie said, unsure if she was helpful, as Cassie held onto Regulus’s hands, smiling at him.
“I know you’re used to taking your coffee black, but you should try it. I think you’ll like it,” Cassie said as Regulus looked at the cup, frowning before drinking.
And there he was, looking at the cup again. “It’s sweet.”
“Regulus, you’re maman isn’t here to tell you you’re not allowed to drink it or have sweet things. This is my house, and you’re very much allowed to have it. And Stephanie was nice and made it for you, right?”
“So it would be rude not to enjoy it,” Regulus said before lifting his head and—
He said something in French that she didn ’t understand. Cassie laughed before turning to Stephanie. “He said…”
“Something about the creme and the coffee. The rest…” Stephanie shook his head.
“Well, he thinks you combined them well, and he likes adding the pumpkin flavor.”
“I see. Well, here’s the sandwich and chips I made you. They should still be hot,” Stephanie said, holding out the foam box. She watched as Brandon took the hot coffee away while Regulus looked at the box, which led Cassie to explain how to open it, followed by, “Oh! It’s finger food. And yes, you’re allowed to eat it with your hands, Reggie.”
She got a reply that it was good before Cassie, and she stepped aside to give Cassie ’s cousin a bit of privacy, as she imagined that Regulus was a bit embarrassed at not knowing. “That was his first experience with a flavored coffee and even finger food? Kids shouldn’t be like that, Cassie. And he is a kid. Sixteen, maybe?”
“Seventeen, eighteen this summer. Regulus was premature and as such has always been small for a male in the Black family.”
“It’s still not normal for someone his age to act like that. I mean, I might expect that kind of confusion from a three or four-year-old who’s never seen take-out before,” Stephanie glanced back, frowning.
“He hasn’t. Take out would be considered beneath any respectable member of the noble and ancient house of Black.”
“Are you kidding me?” Stephanie asked, shaking her head. “And you’re related to them?”
Cassie smiled. “I’m quite aware that I didn’t fit in with my father’s family.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to imply as much,” Stephanie looked back at the room.
“No offense was taken,” Cassie said. “And yes. As you are thinking, Regulus doesn’t really fit in either. Hopefully, we can get him sorted out.”
“I should hope so!” Stephanie said. “I’m thinking of introducing him to pizza next?” She frowned. “Which, speaking of which. Martha’s planning a welcome party. When he’s feeling better.”
“Maybe drop a hint about pizza? And when he’s well enough, I’ll bring him by the bistro to try some foods he’s not yet tried. Maybe even enroll him in the local high school. I need to talk to my benefactor.”
“You think your mysterious benefactor wouldn’t approve?” Stephanie asked.
“Well, I actually know my benefactor,” Cassie said. “It’s more that they should have some say moving forward. I’m kind of waiting a bit before I drop that bomb on Regulus, though.”
“I see.” Stephanie headed back to the front room. “When you fill-up to it, will you drop by the bistro?”
“I’ll need to find a way to earn some money,” Regulus said, smiling at her as his fingers hung over the styrofoam take-out box. “And thank you for your kindness.”
“You’re welcome. And welcome to Middleton.”