“Sorry,” Julia quirked her mouth. “Goblin and half-goblin.”
Maxwell laughed heartily. “It’s a pleasure to meet all of you. Chloe’s told me so much about you; I feel like I know you already.”
Under the table, Maxwell had taken Chloe’s hand in his, squeezing it gently. And that was enough to send away the fluttering nerves that had nearly put Chloe off the thought of her favourite schnitzel.
“Thanks for coming,” Chloe said softly, although she knew Julia’s shifter ears would probably pick it up.
“Of course,” Maxwell said, looking at her with those dark eyes. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
Chloe’s chest swelled once more, like someone was inflating her far too enthusiastically with a foot pump. She might just burst.
“So,” Julia said, steepling her fingers under her chin. “Tell us all about you.”
“Well, there’s not all that much to tell,” Maxwell shrugged apologetically. “I’ve lived around the world, played a lot of poker, met a lot of people…and now I’m here.”
“Have you been to London?” Harriet asked, sticking out her chin. “I want to go, but Auntie Julia won’t take me.”
“It’s enough coping with you two here in Crowley Lake,” Julia sighed theatrically. “Without involving cross-continental travel.”
“I have been to London,” Maxwell told her. “What interests you about London?”
“The Tower,” Harriet said promptly. “Where they used to keep prisoners and cut off people’s heads.”
Maxwell raised his eyebrows. “If you’re interested in heads being chopped off, you should try Paris. Very keen on the guillotine, the French.”
Harriet laughed. “Really?”
“Really.”
“Have you been to Africa?” Jude cut in. “I want to go on safari and see elephants.”
“I’ve been to Africa,” Maxwell said. “Well, Morocco, anyway. Does that count?”
“Did you see any elephants?” Jude crossed his arms, unimpressed.
“I did,” Maxwell said. “I even rode one.”
“Did you drink its blood?”
“Jude!” Julia looked shocked. “I’m sorry about that.”
“No, it’s quite alright,” Maxwell was still grinning. “I did not, my young friend. I’ve been told that elephant blood tastes like peanuts. I don’t like peanuts.”
That made Jude giggle, and Chloe was grateful that he didn’t seem perturbed by their questions.
“Why don’t I go and order for the table?” Maxwell said, rising to his feet. “Schnitzel for you, Chloe?”
“And me!” Harriet said.
“I think we all want schnitzel,” Julia said. “But I’ll come with you, I’ll pay—”
“Absolutely not,” Maxwell shook his head. “I won’t allow it. I’m sure Chloe can tell you how persistent I am when I have my mind made up.” He gave her a wink, and Chloe blushed.
“If you’re sure—” Julia frowned.
“I am not just sure, but adamant,” Maxwell said, adding in just a little extra drawl that Chloe knew was for her benefit.
“Thanks, Maxwell,” she said, smiling up at him.
“Anything for you.”
As Maxwell made his way to the bar, where Kelly would undoubtedly assault him with questions of her own, Julia turned to Chloe.
“Um, he’s to die for,” Julia said in an excited whisper. “Maybe even literally.”
“He’s nice,” Jude decided.
“He really likes you,” Harriet added. “He looks at you like—” She fluttered her eyelashes, pretending to swoon. “Like that.”
Chloe laughed nervously. “Do you think so?”
“Oh, come on, Chloe,” Julia looked pained. “You must be able to tell he’s crazy about you.”
“I mean, he’s very charming to everyone,” Chloe began. “And so—”
“Harriet’s right,” Julia told her. “He’s definitely giving you that look. Unmistakeable.”
“I want to be a bridesmaid,” Harriet said. “I’m too old to be a flower girl, anyway.”
“Woah, let’s not get carried away!” Chloe said, as her brain conjured up an image of herself in a long white dress making her way up the aisle to Maxwell, who was clad only in a bow tie. Thank goodness shifters – and vampires, for that matter – couldn’t read minds. “We’ve only just started seeing each other.”
“But you’re happy?” Julia pressed. “You seem happy.”
Chloe bit her lip and looked at the bar where Maxwell was chatting to Kelly like they were old friends. Even the grizzled, world-weary bartender was smiling.
“I am happy,” she said after a moment. “But—”
“No buts,” Julia shook her head. “You’re happy. That’s all that matters.”