Fallon just stared at her, the crease between his brows growing deeper by the second. When another long minute passed without him answering, I nodded. “That’ll be great.”
The café, like the streets we’d just walked through, was empty. The waitress led us to a booth in the back and dropped two menus on the checkered table, an exact match to her apron. “I’m Fay, just let me know when you’re ready to order.”
Fallon’s eyes trailed the woman as she sauntered back behind the counter. Okay, so she was attractive, but he didn’t have to stare like that. I dug my elbow into his side, and he whirled at me, jaw slightly unhinged.
“What’s the matter with you?” I hissed.
“I think that’s my mother.”
“What?” I shrieked, and Fay’s head spun in our direction.
Fallon shot me a glare, and I gave our waitress a sheepish smile. “Sorry about that.” She returned to whatever she was doing behind the counter, and I whispered, “Why would you say that?”
“I don’t know.” His eyes were glued to the back of her head. “I just had this weird feeling when I saw her. Like every cell in my body started to tingle.”
“Are you sure you’re not just hard up…”
“No!” he hissed. “Gods, Aspen, that’s disgusting. I really think that woman is my mother.”
I snuck a peek at the waitress over my shoulder again. Was that why she’d seemed familiar to me? Blonde hair, blue eyes, tall. They really didn’t share any physical characteristics besides both being abnormally good looking.
She looked up from her phone and her eyes met mine, the brilliant blue so damned familiar. Like I’d seen it hundreds of times… “She does remind me of someone. I just can’t place it.” I grabbed Fallon’s face, squeezing his lips together as I turned his head from side to side. High cheek bones – check, pert, straight nose – check. “I don’t know, Fallon. I guess she could be…” If this had been reality instead of reality TV, I would’ve said no way, but given our sneaky producer and his thirst for drama, I wouldn’t put anything past him.
“So what do I do?” A tremor laced his tone, and I actually felt bad for the guy. His whole life he’d been lied to and now, here we were possibly facing his biological mom.
“You said your father compelled her, right? So she’d have no idea you even existed.”
He nodded slowly.
“Let’s ask her some questions. Maybe we can piece together a timeline.” And if that failed, I was sure the big dramatic reveal would be coming up sometime soon anyway.
“Okay,” he breathed, his eyes intent on the woman.
I reached for the menu and picked a random cheeseburger. There was no way I was going to be able to eat now. At least I could pick on the fries. Once I’d made my decision, I glanced up at Fallon. “You ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
Turning around, I waggled my fingers at Fay. “We’re all set to order now.”
She gave me a smile, tucked her phone into her apron and sauntered over. Pulling out a small notepad, she pressed a pen to the paper. “What can I get you two?”
“I’ll have the Mystic Burger--” I paused. I needed to get this woman talking somehow. “Unless there’s something else you’d recommend. We’re not from Maginaria.”
“I could tell.” She smirked then turned her inquisitive gaze to Fallon. “I’ve always had an affinity at guessing supernatural races.”
Bingo. “Ooh, let’s hear it! What do you think we are?”
She crinkled her nose as she regarded me. “You’re too easy, honey. All you shifters smell the same. But your wolf’s scent is fainter than most.”
I was surprised she could sense her at all. I almost told her my sad story, but then I remembered this night was not about me. “One out of two, so far.” I jerked my thumb at my silent friend, who still stared straight ahead, barely breathing. “How about this guy?”
She drummed her fingers on the table, her blue eyes intent on his. The icy lilac pulsated under her scrutiny. “You’re a tough one, big guy. I can sense some magic, but it’s buried deep.” Fallon stiffened beside me, his thigh like a rock against my leg. “But there’s something else too. Something I can’t quite put my finger on.” She leaned across the table, so her nose almost touched his. Now with a close-up view of their profiles, I was starting to see more of a resemblance. Or maybe it was just in my head. She huffed out a breath, straightened, and slapped her hands on her hips. “Well, you’ve got me. I just can’t tell what you are.”
A tight smile crept across Fallon’s lips, but still not a word came out.
“So are you going to keep me in the dark?” Her light brows knitted.
“You were right,” I answered when my bachelor remained mute. “He’s a magical mutt. Nothing too exciting. What about you? I’d guess witch since we’re in the land of magic, but I definitely do not have any great powers of deduction.”
“That’s right, honey, I’m a witch. Non-practicing though.” Darkness settled over her features, and she pressed the notepad to her chest.
Normally, I would’ve taken the hint from her expression and not pried, but tonight, I was on a mission. “Why not? I always wished I’d been born with magic. Being a shifter is so boring. Whoop dee do, I can turn into a furry beast.” Or I was supposed to at least.
“Not all magic is good, honey.”
Ohhh. I pressed my lips together, itching to ask more.
“What’ll you have, son?” She turned to Fallon and his face turned fifty shades of green. Poor woman had no idea what she’d just said.
“I, um—” He turned to me, eyes wide.
“He’ll have a coffee,” I blurted.
She pointed her thumb at Fallon and leaned in closer. “Is your boyfriend all right?”
“He’s not my boyfriend—” I let my words fall away as Fallon’s dark gaze seared into the side of my head. Dammit. “We’re dating,” I stammered. “On a reality TV show. Maybe you’ve seen it? It’s called Hitched.”
A huge smile split her pink lips as her eyes darted back and forth between us. “I thought you two looked familiar. My neighbor loves that show. She has it on all the time when I go for tea. She’ll be so thrilled when I tell her I met you.” She clapped her hands to her chest, grinning. “You know, when I was younger, everyone used to tell me I looked just like the girl from the first season, Kimmie Jayne.”
An odd choking sound spurted from Fallon’s clenched lips. I spun at him, and he’d gone completely pale.
“I don’t think your friend’s all right.” Fay’s light brows slammed together as she regarded him.
“Water,” he choked out.
“I’ll be right back!” She took off, and I smacked Fallon’s back trying to force out whatever was blocking his airway.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes,” he grumbled. “You can stop hitting me now.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
“That’s my mother. I know it,” he whispered.