His skin itched at her assessment. “Your job is to pretend to be my betrothed. That is all. I do not need your analysis or sympathy or judgment. Understood?”

She stared at him for a long second. “More than you know.”

For the first time since this whole charade had started, Tessa saw Sebastian in a very different light. He was broken by betrayal. It practically radiated out of him. It also explained why he was gruff and defensive and not particularly open to new things. On some level, she understood that reaction.

This Evangeline had done a number on him. Tessa couldn’t help but feel for the man. To her, it was clear he was damaged and yet, she doubted that anyone outside of his family really grasped that.

Then she reminded herself that it wasn’t her job to fix him. Just pretend to be his fiancée. If he wanted his ex-wife back, then maybe she could help him with that. If that’s what he wanted.

Delaney returned with a small paper shopping bag and held it out. “Let me know what you think of them.” She winked. “I can always send more if your new boyfriend wears you down.”

Tessa made herself smile. “I’m sure we’ll be fine. Thank you so much. I guess I’ll see you at dinner.”

“I wouldn’t miss it.”

Sebastian nodded. “Thank you, Delaney. You’ll let Hugh know about tomorrow night, then?”

“Yes, but you should still call him.”

“I suppose I should,” Sebastian said. “Very well. We’re off for coffee.”

“The Hallowed Bean?” Delaney asked.

“Yes.”

“Good choice.” She looked at Tessa. “If you’re still in the mood for something sweet, try the drinking chocolate. It’s phenomenal.”

“Thanks, I will.” Tessa lifted the bag. “And thanks again for the treats.”

She and Sebastian went across the street to the coffee shop. A good number of customers filled the spot, leading her to believe the cute little shop had to be a local favorite. She stood with him at the counter and ordered the drinking chocolate Delaney had suggested, along with a slice of vanilla pound cake.

Sebastian got black coffee. “Why don’t you find us a seat? I’ll bring everything over.”

“Okay.” She chose a table near the window. If they were going to be seen, that was a prime location. She put the bag of sweets from Delaney on the seat next to her.

Sebastian joined her a few minutes later, tray in hand. He put her drink and her cake in front of her, then sat. He took his coffee off the tray, then handed the tray to a passing worker. He sipped the dark brew, then nodded at her selections. “I suppose you have a rather high metabolism, given your true nature. Or you do something else to stay fit.”

That almost sounded like a compliment on her figure. She cut a bit of cake with her fork. “High metabolism like most of…us.” She wasn’t sure if using the word supernatural in public was okay. “And I suppose your first choice of sustenance isn’t cake.”

He gave a little laugh. “No, not quite. But that’s not to say I don’t partake on occasion. Although those occasions are rare. I prefer moderation in all things.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.”

“Why? Because I seem like someone who doesn’t know how to enjoy himself?”

She sipped her chocolate, watching him. “You said that, not me. I was going to say because you seem like a person who favors control above all else. I respect that.”

His brows lifted slightly. “You do?”

She nodded. “Did you think I was going to give you grief about it?”

A moment passed before he answered. “Yes. My brothers both do. Delaney does. Even my grandmother now and then.” He sighed and looked out the window. “I sometimes feel as though I spend more time defending the way I’ve chosen to live my life than actually living it.”

She snorted softly. “I understand that more than you know.”

“And how is that?”

She cut another bite of cake, but didn’t eat it. “I’m a valkyrie who’s become a librarian. Most of my kind take very different career paths.”

“Like your sister.”

“Exactly like Jenna.” Tessa ate the cake. It was good. Not as good as the drinking chocolate, which was extraordinary, but nice enough. She swallowed. “What is it about your life that your family doesn’t agree with?”

He shrugged and twisted his ceramic mug until the handle was at a right angle to his spoon. “I tend to avoid gatherings and social events as often as I can. I prefer to stay at home. With my books and my work and the pursuits that I enjoy. I live a simple life and that’s the way I like it. But I have often been told that I am boring.”

“I’ve heard that a few times myself.”

He lifted his mug. “Here’s to boring, then. Perhaps Evangeline will believe we are a couple after all.”

She clinked her cup of chocolate to his. “Maybe she will.”

He sipped his coffee. “Let’s hope.”

“What’s your goal for this dinner with her? I know you want her to see that another woman finds you desirable, but what else? You must want something more than that.”

He stared into his mug, going silent.

She stabbed another little square of cake she’d cut with her fork. “You don’t have to tell me, but it would be helpful if I had some idea of what the end game is.”