Read Illusions (Night Roamers) Book Four for Free Online Page B

get enough to eat?” asked Marilyn.
    “ Actually, I think he just ordered half of your menu.”
    She smiled. “ Only half?”
    “Yeah,” he replied, patting his stomach. “I’ve got to watch my girlish figure.”
    She laughed. “Oh, Nathan. There is nothing girlish about you.”
    “You sure about that?” he said, running a hand through his sandy brown hair. “If this grows any longer, I’m going to have to start listening to heavy metal and join a motorcycle gang.”
    I snorted. “Right, hipster. You’d fit right in.”
    “I’m not a hipster,” he protested.
    “Don’t let him fool you,” I said to Marilyn, smirking. “He’s a hipster. I saw him trying on a beanie a few weeks ago.”
    “Whatever,” replied Nathan, shaking his head. “You’re a beanie.”
    Marilyn smiled. “So, where have you two been the last month?”
    “Uh, we were on vacation. In Vegas,” replied my brother.
    “For that long?” she asked. “Normally most people go for a weekend.”
    “No,” I said. “ We were in Key West for part of the time. With Duncan, while our parents rekindled their… marriage.”
    We’d decided to tell everyone that our parents had gotten back together in Vegas. So there wouldn’t be too many questions. Nobody else really knew of mom and Caleb’s relationship, which made our story more believable.
    “Oh. I see,” she said, looking a bit perplexed. “Well, looks like you made it back here, and just in time for the snow.”
    Nathan glanced out the window. “Lucky us.”
    “What about school?” she asked. “You going to finish or leave town, like Nikki was saying?”
    “Um, we’re going to do that online school thing,” I said quickly.
    Her eyebrows shot up. “Online? Really?”
    “Can’t go back to the school here in town. I mean, we’re so behind right now,” said Nathan, backing me up. “That we’ve decided to check out that K12 school program.”
    “What is that?”
    “It’s where you can take online classes for high school,” I replied. “And still earn your diploma.”
    “Wow, you can even do that now, huh ?” she said. “That’s incredible.”
    “It’s crazy what you can do online these days,” replied Nathan.
    “Well, it sounds like a great concept. Especially in your circumstance,” she said.
    I grinned. “Exactly. Thank goodness for the Internet.”
    She nodded and then changed the subject. “Your stepdad seems like a nice enough guy; I met him a few days ago.”
    “He’s a regular peach,” said Nathan, dryly.
    Marilyn chuckled. “He seemed friendly, at least. Anyway, Victor said that if you two ever stopped in, I was to add your bill to his tab. I suppose you already paid, though, huh?”
    “Yep,” said Nathan. “But that’s okay. We can pay for our own food.”
    I raised my eyebrows. “Seriously, he offered to do that?”
    “He sure did . Surprised?”
    “Nothing surprise s me about Victor,” said Nathan.
    She grinned and shook her head. “So, I take it you won’t be living with him?”
    “No. We were never very close.”
    “That’s a shame,” replied Marilyn. “ Well, anyway, I’m so sorry again for your loss. If either of you ever need someone to talk to, you know where to find me.”
    “Thanks, Marilyn ,” said Nathan.
    I smiled. “Yes, thank you.”
    She put her hand on my shoulder. “Look, Nikki, if you are ever interested in coming back to work here, there will always be an open spot for you. I hope you know that.”
    Her kindness lifted my spirits. “Thanks, Marilyn. I appreciate it.”
    She removed her hand and turned to Nathan. “Before I forget – have you heard from Sonny at all?”
    Nathan looked at me and then he cleared his throat . “Not us, but I believe Duncan may know where he is. The marina is closed for the season and all the boats are winterized and in storage.”
    “ Oh. Do you know anything about Randy Fitz’s boat?” she asked. “He was in here complaining a couple of weeks ago. Said he’d been