Demon Moon

hand came up to cover his lips.
    Nani’s exacting gaze traveled over the front counter, and she straightened and arranged items to her satisfaction.
    “I was just thinking that Mr. Ames-Beaumont has waited long enough to take me home. It’s all closed here up front.” Savi waved toward the dining room, the chairs she’d turned upside down on the tabletops, the swept floors.
    Her grandmother’s lips pursed, but she nodded. “You shouldn’t take advantage of him this way, Savitri. I would have driven you home.”
    “It’s out of your way. He’s going to see Lilith and Hugh anyway, and I thought I’d find out if he knows of anyone suitable at Ramsdell Pharmaceuticals. There should be lots of doctors and researchers.” Her cheeks were hot; thankfully Nani was still checking to make certain everything was in its place.
    It wasn’t the first time she’d lied to her grandmother about her activities—and it was better Nani didn’t know—but it was the first time someone had witnessed her doing it.
    How humiliating that Colin would see that she had to explain her decisions and gain approval. He surely couldn’t know that according to Nani and her friends, no matter a woman’s age, she wouldn’t be considered responsible or her decisions given any credence until she was married and had produced a few children. Or grandchildren.
    And Savi’s continuing fascination with things Nani considered childish—video games, manga and anime, electronics—certainly hadn’t helped any. Nor had her ever-changing interests.
    A woman was steady, dependable. Savi was not.
    Nani put her hands on her hips. “You didn’t feed him anything, naatin . If he’s to help find you a husband, you could at least have given him something to eat.”
    Savi didn’t dare glance his way for fear she’d begin giggling uncontrollably. “I’ll make sure he eats after we leave.”
    Nani waggled her head from side to side in assent and walked toward Colin’s table. Savi left him to defend himself, slipping into the office to collect her coat and bag before returning to the front.
    She stopped, and the swinging door bumped into the back of her shoulder. Colin danced around the tables with Nani in his arms, and he sang along with the Bollywood tune playing lightly through the speakers. Her sash trailed behind her, a brilliant flash of magenta.
    Nani’s face was suffused with delight, though she obviously tried to suppress it. Reluctant, breathless laughter punctuated her protest. “No, beta —you will make an old woman lose all sense.”
    Colin winked at Savi over Nani’s head, and then twirled. He moved effortlessly, gracefully; it was pure pleasure just to watch him. “Only if you cease calling yourself old; it makes me feel an ancient. Compared to me, you are but a blushing maiden.” He began singing again.
    Savi leaned against the doorjamb, her knees weak, her heart pounding.
    They danced past the kitchen door as the song came to an end. Colin paused, bent, and gently dipped Nani back over his arm. He dropped a loud kiss to her flushed cheek.
    “ Beta! You must stop this silliness!”
    Colin unrepentantly pressed his lips to her other cheek. Then with a flourish, he set her back on her feet. “Do you think me a wicked scoundrel, Auntie?”
    Nani dipped her chin as if to hide her enjoyment, and kept her hands busy rearranging her clothes, her hair. “Yes,” she finally said.
    “Savitri likes me, even if I am a scoundrel.” Colin’s eyes gleamed as he turned and met Savi’s gaze. “But only because I’ll give her a ride.”
    “It is very kind of you to do so,” Nani said.
    Savi choked and started toward the exit before she burst into laughter. “We should go. Bye, Nani!” The bell over the door rang as she slipped through. She leaned back against the plate-glass window as she waited for Colin to follow; he was probably more polite in his good-byes than she’d been.
    He strolled out a moment later, his hands tucked into his pockets, his grin wide. His golden hair had been mussed by the dance, or he’d run his hands through it, but it still managed to look perfectly, artistically unkempt.
    “You’re terrible,” she said. Her breath puffed in the cold air.
    “And what of you, teasing me? ‘I’ll make sure he eats after we leave, Nani,’” he mimicked. Despite his amused tone, his gaze sizzled through her, lithium and water. He took her hand in his. “Come along, sweet. I’m hungry.”
    Oh, god, she was