Before I even made it to the kitchen, I could hear the mechanical whirring of a blender. The light was on, and when I entered I saw Darian standing there, black gym shorts, a faded Duran Duran tee, and a pair of adidas on. His gym bag was lying on the island counter while he made himself a protein shake.
“You’re awake,” he commented as soon as I stepped into the room.
I didn’t say anything. I just took a seat at the counter with my notebook in hand.
The blender stopped and Darian looked me over. I could feel him appraising me, his eyes lingering on the notebook for a moment. Whatever he was thinking, he wasn’t giving it away. “You look like you rested well, Luna?”
I don’t answer. Instead, I launch right into the new negotiation. “I did research, specifically on the Mateship Ceremony
