“I guess.”

He finally felt like he was getting somewhere. “I like you, and I’m not convinced it’s completely related to the witch-familiar thing. What if we’ve got some real chemistry going on here? Don’t you at least want to find out?” Then something occurred to him, and he realized what an idiot he was. “You don’t feel the same way, do you?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I’m kind of nuts about you, and you probably want to friend-zone me. That’s why you agreed to help with Kaley and the house. You like me, but you don’t like me like me.” He shook his head, laughing softly. “I didn’t get that until just now.”

“That’s not true.” She frowned and yanked a wayward strand of hair behind one ear. “I do like you. Unfortunately. You and your stupid pretty face.”

He laughed harder. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

“Oh, shut up. I’m hungover, and you’re trying to have a big discussion. I told you I didn’t want to talk. I don’t know what I’m saying.”

“Sorry.” But he couldn’t stop smiling. “I know you’re taking Kaley to the meeting tonight, but what are you doing tomorrow night?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“Because I’d like to take you to dinner. Anywhere. Even places I have to wear a tie.”

She scowled at him. “You’re trying to take advantage of my weakened condition.”

“Maybe I am. So what do you say? Dinner? And we give this thing a real shot. Maybe we’ll have a miserable time, and that will be the end of it. And maybe we’ll find out we really like each other.”

“What about Kaley?”

“She’s supposed to go to a friend’s house to work on a group project. I’m sure she can hang out there until we’re finished.” He grinned. So far, so good. “Is that a yes to dinner?”

She let a few moments go by before she answered. “What if we do like each other? What then? Are you still going to move?”

“If things between us work, I’m willing to explore other options. Do you think there’s any chance I could get a teaching job around here?”

“I have no idea. Is that more important than your love life?”

“Not if you’re willing to date a homeless guy. I’m just being practical. I have a child to take care of. I can’t let her suffer for my decisions.”

Her eyes narrowed and after a long moment, she responded, “You paint such a positive picture, how can I say no? We can give it a shot.”

“All right!” He clapped his hands together, causing Pumpkin to go skittering out of the room and Pandora to cringe.

“My head,” she moaned. Her eyes were scrunched shut.

“I’m sorry, I forgot,” he whispered. “Can I do anything for you? Get you anything? Run you a hot bath?”

She opened one eye. “We haven’t even been out on a date yet, and you’re trying to get me naked.”

“I am a man. And even hungover, you’re pretty hot.”

“Go away before I change my mind about dinner. Or turn you into a toad. I can do that now, you know.”

He stood up. “You’re adorable. Never change.” He headed for the door. “See you tonight. Call me if you need anything.”

She grunted something, maybe a word, maybe not, but it reminded him of someone else.

He stopped and stuck his head back in the kitchen. “Hey, that guy you were with last night. He’s not an old boyfriend, or anyone I’m going to have to fight for your hand, is he?”

She snorted. “My hand is mine to give as I see fit, but no, he’s not an old boyfriend. Nor does he want to be a new one. And you should be very glad about that.”

He stood up taller. Sure, the guy looked intimidating, but that didn’t mean he was a threat. “You don’t think I could take him?”

“In a battle of wits, maybe. Physically? Uh, probably not. He’s a dragon shifter. And a top-ranked mixed martial arts fighter.”

“Dragon shifter. Got it.” Cole nodded and made a mental note not to tick the guy off. “I’d say I’d try to stay on his good side, but he already didn’t seem to like me very much last night.”

“I might have told him you’d been leading me on. He’s kind of like a big brother to me. He was the first person I called when I woke up this morning.”

Well, that sucked. Cole did his best not to react. “Great. You sure it’s nothing I need to worry about?”

“Not unless you break my heart.” She smiled with the sort of acid edge that almost seemed like a challenge.

“All right. No pressure.” He gave her a little wave as he left again. Monday night he was going to have to wow her. The last thing Cole needed was Puff the Magic MMA Fighter showing up at his door breathing fire.

By five o’clock, Pandora had finally begun to feel human again. A hot shower had gone a long way toward making that happen, but, she was reluctant to admit, so had Cole’s peace offering of blueberry pancakes.

It was like he’d known that was the perfect thing to bring. Was that because he was an awesome guy or the familiar meant for her?

The whole thing was so complicated she couldn’t bear to think about it for more than a few minutes at a time. Any more than that, and her brain tangled in knots.