Page 28 of Once a Rogue
“Oh, those are good,” Sebastian said. “You know, I’ve never asked how you and Arthur became friends.”
“I suppose it is surprising we pulled it off, given our history,” Wesley said. “We’re far better suited as friends, though. But never mind, obviously you know all of that and we already decided we weren’t going to make it awkward.”
Sebastian furrowed his eyebrows.I know all of what?he was about to ask, when a waiter appeared at their table with a teapot and two cylindrical teacups. “Ready to order?”
Sebastian leaned forward. “We are friends of Jianwei,” he said. “Is he here? Could we see him?”
The waiter shook his head. “No, sorry, he’s not here. I haven’t seen him in at least a week.”
“Then where is he?” Wesley said.
“I don’t know,” said the waiter. “I think he left the city.”
Sebastian and Wesley exchanged a look. “Do you know if he’s with his girlfriend, Jade Robbins?” Sebastian asked.
“Maybe?” the waiter said unhelpfully. “We play her sister’s record a lot, but Miss Robbins hasn’t been here either.”
Sebastian wracked his brain for details he’d heard about Zhang’s family. “Is Jianwei’s mother here? Or his cousin—Ling is her name, yes?”
But the waiter shook his head again. “Ling and Mrs. Wang are in San Francisco. They’re staying a month, visiting family.”
Then whoishere?Sebastian wanted to ask.Zhang said he has an entire paranormal library under this restaurant—who’s looking after it?
But what if the waiter knew nothing of magic? Who could Sebastian talk to and be sure he wasn’t spilling all of the Zhangs’ family secrets?
“Thank you,” Sebastian finally said, and ordered the pork buns and several other things to share.
As the waiter left, Wesley was already drinking from his cup. “This is unequivocally the best thing I’ve had in America.”
“I don’t understand,” Sebastian said.
“You don’t understand why the tea is good? Have you truly no idea the millennia of tea history across Asia—”
“Notthat,” said Sebastian. “I don’t understand why Zhang’s not here. His mother and cousin are across the country. What would make him leave the family business if they’re not here to watch it? And all his paranormal artifacts?”
Wesley glanced around. “There are paranormal artifacts here?”
“Zhang said his family has a whole collection, in a library in the basement.” Sebastian leaned forward. “Apparently there is still a crack in the ceiling from Rory.”
“Now I know you’re telling tales,” Wesley said dryly. “Brodigan can’t reach any ceilings.”
“Wesley, be nice,” Sebastian said. “And he did it with magic. He lost control of his ring relic.”
“Really.” Wesley took another sip. “A paranormal losing control of their magic because they have a relic, where have I heard this story before.”
Sebastian gave him a dirty look.
“When was this?” Wesley asked.
“February,” Sebastian said, trying very hard not to think about what he’d been doing in New York that same week. “Jade said it wasn’t her place to give me all the details, but apparently Rory had just discovered something that made him very jealous.”
Wesley’s hand jerked, spilling tea. “February, you said?”
“Yes.” Sebastian tilted his head. “Why?”
“Ah.” Wesley set the cup down. “Did Miss Robbins happen to say if Rory’s jealousy had anything to do with Arthur?”
“Why would it?” Sebastian said curiously.
