Page 91 of Stone Temptation

After I finished packing, Dane stopped by to say goodbye, giving Luke all his pleasantries.

“Don’t let this one boss you around, bro,” he said with a cheeky wink.

Luke smiled. “I won’t.”

“I’m not bossy,” I countered.

“Course not. Course not. You’re just a clean freak.”

“What’s wrong with hating dust?”

“Nothing. Your pad isn’t a choking hazard, is it?” he asked Luke.

The human giggled. “Hate dust, too.”

“Crisis averted.”

“Ignore him,” I said.

Dane leaned against the doorframe. “I’ll miss you.”

“Same.”

“Keep me posted.”

“Will do.”

“Mad, init?” he said.

“Big time.” I gave him a massive bear hug.

He slapped me on the back. “Take care. Keep him safe, as well as yourself.”

“I will.” We broke apart. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

“You never know, I might be able to swing a visit,” he said.

“Maybe.”

“Well, I’ll leave you to it. Nice to meet you, Luke.”

Luke held up a hand. “Likewise.”

Dane saluted him, then snapped his fingers, popping his tongue. “Laters, bro.”

“Laters.”

Off he went.

“He seems nice,” Luke said from behind me.

“He’s a good friend.”

“I’m sorry you have to?—”

I faced him. “None of that.”

“Sorry.”