Chapter 15

Malcolm winced. “I, err, it’s—” He stopped himself, looked around guilty at the enamored assembly. “Loud.”

“That’s it? All I get is loud?”

Malcolm shook his finger at the petulant look Darien was giving him. “I don’t make you eat chocolate, even though I know I can bake better than anyone else on this continent with it. It’s a preference thing. Not a personal attack.”

Darien screwed up his nose and mock-gagged. “Surely, Mal, you can think of a better way to make me gag than speaking of chocolate.” He didn’t give Malcolm time to think of a comeback. “Let’s get a drink.”

Malcolm followed Darien out of the resonating room and back into the lounge area. As Malcolm shook his head and popped his ears, Darien reached into the ice and came back with two bottles. He handed the Heineken to Malcolm and snapped the cap off something clear for himself. “This kind, right?”

“Yes,” Malcolm frowned. “It’s actually the only beer I’ll drink. Can I assume it’s not just lucky guessing on your part?”