I'm sure if I tried really hard I could see the rational side of having to share my place with Damon. I fumed in the back seat of the car as Francis drove me back to the Hideout.

"We're here." Even the ever pleasant sound of his voice grated on my nerves.

"Thank you." I growled.

"You're welcome."

I reluctantly gave the man credit. Ever the professional. I started to trudge my way up to the front of the store when I noticed the old man from earlier in the day pacing the stoop. I forgot to get his name the first time we met. Perspective is about realizing there is always someone having a worse time than you.

"Hello, why haven't you gone in?"

"I haven't been invited yet." His vivid violet eyes blinked at me.

It made sense in a way. I told him to come here but the shop was closed for the day so he probably didn't feel comfortable even though I had given him permission.

His hands twisted in his jacket and his hole ridden shoe kicked played with a few pebbles in the ground.

"Alright," I said. "I Katherine of the Hideout, am inviting you in." I bowed and smiled at his wide eyes.

"You have changed." He nodded after seeming to agree with himself.

"A shower can do that for a girl. Practically come out a whole new person. Please come with me. Let's introduce you my sister and get you some food. If you would like you are welcome to a shower. It might change you too."

I opened the door and held it for him. He looked down the street and back to the inside of the cafe. I waited. I didn't like being pushed into things. I would wait for him to make the choice.

He stepped forward, over the threshold, and let out a puff of air.

"Wonderful, Lila?" I called out but not too loudly.

He reminded me of a stray animal that once had a home. Animals could be one of the most resilient of creatures. Surviving on almost nothing, being abused, broken, forgotten, and still love and hope unconditionally. That was my kind of magic.

She came from the back through the saloon style doors and around the counter. Stella trailed behind her.

"Hello, who do we have here." Her melodic voice could be so soothing when she wasn't plotting my downfall with new roommates.

He shied away and Lila offered and introduction first and offering her palm.

"I'm Lila."

He looked at her hand but didn't offer his.

"I'm not clean."

"Don't worry. I don't mind." Lila radiated gentleness and I replayed my first meeting with her in my head. It echoed this one. Someone scared and unsure being coaxed by genuine kindness.

He met his hand with hers and finally met her gaze.

"Morse is my name, Kat said it was okay to come."

"Of course you are welcome here. Are you hungry? I was about to make some dinner. I have some Cen'tally kabobs marinating and a salad from my greenhouse. I even managed a cinnamon crumble and coffee ice cream for dessert."

I narrowed my eyes. Cinnamon crumble. Cen'tally's were known for their tantalizing meat and spices that could only be found in their world. I wiped the drool from my chin. Sun Tzu eat your heart out. My sister could out fox even the best tacticians.

"Thank you, I would like to join. Kat said there might be room and board?"

"Yes, I have a place across the way that is vacant. I just finished preparing it. Let me show you the space and see if it is to your liking."

Lila led him through the back exit to the other loft. It's next to mine but you could only access it through the old fire escape. I'd wanted it for an office but couldn't justify taking more from my sister.

"Kat."

I gasped just remembering Stella was there.

"Stella." I wanted to be mad at them both but after everything I couldn't.

"I'm guessing the room she just prepared was for Damon and that what he meant by staying with me was staying there? It's also possible he said it the way he did just to get a rise out of me?"

"It's possible." She smiled.

"Definitely possible." Damon confirmed.

"Where in the Holy Brad did you come from?" My heart pounded and I smacked my hand against my chest to calm my rioting heart.

"Well, when two people love each other..."

I placed my fingers on his lips and shook my head.

"Just don't."

He grinned and I began contemplating a theory of body snatchers. I couldn't fathom a time when Damon stopped being serious and cracked jokes. This day proved weirder and weirder.

"Glad to see you guys are as close as ever. You might get even closer. Now that Kat has found a tenant for the spare apartment we are fresh out of places for Damon."

He added, "Aren't you worried about Lila? I'm not sure but that man seems familiar to me."

I snorted and Stella and I said in unison, "No."

"Alright, so where will I be staying?"

I had a few good comebacks to that question, but Stella ruined another of my finer moments.

"Kat has a couch. It's not as great as the other apartment but I'm sure you could do worse."

"Why can't he sleep on the couches over there?" I gestured to the nook in the corner of the Hideout.

"Shame on you Katherine. He's a guest and there isn't a shower down here. Plus Lila plans to open in the morning and 5:00 AM probably doesn't sound great to him."

Lila took that moment to come back. 

"How did it go?" I owed her so much. She never said no to helping people. Her influence could be the reason for my goodwill toward strangers.

"It went well. He's eager to use the hot water and will join us for dinner. Damon, please help me pull some tables together and Stella and I will finish grilling the meat."

Her gaze locked onto me and I froze. Deer meet headlights.

"Help him get settled at your place. You are both adults and can handle rooming together."

"Of course, Lila. Thank you for having me."

I mocked his back proving Lila's faith in my maturity might be misplaced.

He finished his assigned task and grabbed a black duffel by my feet.

"Shall we?"

"Might as well." I started to the back. He knew the way even without me leading. I painstaking lingered on each step trying to come up with a plan B, C, and D. Nothing came to mind.

We reached my door and heat radiated from his chest to my back. I took a moment to absorb it.

"Not so close there big guy." I placed my palm on the magic seal and disengaged the protections.

"Nice, I see you improved security."

"Best favors can buy. I helped a witch find her cat and she helped me with a few protections." I held open the door for him.

"Ladies first." He motioned.

I waited, he sighed, and went first. One point for me. Well like half a point. Pettiness doesn't score well.

"Meow."

"Luna," I cooed. I held out my hands waiting for my baby to jump into my arms.

She pounced and I caught her like every time I came home. The only thing different this time was the blood on her paws.