The main course comes and I’m in food heaven. So is Jonah. Even Beauty is gobbling it down. Mmm. So much cheese. Yum. Maybe it’s from Freckles’s shop. Good job, Freckles.

I try to keep the conversation going between bites.

“So, Mr. Beast, have you lived in this palace a long time?” I ask.

“No,” he says curtly. He takes a big bite of pasta.

I glance at Beauty in case she has any follow-up questions, but she’s silent.

These two could really work on their conversational skills. But I’m not ready to give up. “How long have you lived here?” I go on.

“About two years,” he says.

“It’s very pretty. And quiet.”

“I like the quiet,” he says. “I like to be far from Town.” He takes a gulp of his water and looks up at Beauty. “Do you miss Town?”

It’s the first question he’s asked her yet.

“I do,” she admits. “I used to live there before my dad lost his business and we had to move out to the cottage. I’ve always dreamt about moving back. It’s so vibrant. I like the hustle and bustle. I like to be around lots of people.”

“Oh,” Beast says. He takes another gulp of water.

Humph. She couldn’t have pretended to want to live out here in the middle of nowhere?

Mr. Beast returns to eating.

Watching him eat is kind of strange. His lips are big. His teeth are so sharp. And he can put a lot more pasta in his mouth than any person I’ve ever seen.

When I see the chocolate cheesecake dessert coming, I motion to Jonah. Let’s go, I mouth.

He makes a sad face but pushes back his chair.

“Jonah and I don’t want dessert,” I announce. It’s a total lie, but I have to stick to the plan. “You guys go ahead. We’re stuffed.”

Mr. Beast looks at us suspiciously. “Really? Neither of you wants to try my delicious chocolate cheesecake? It’s extra chocolaty.”

A strangled sound escapes Jonah’s lips.

“No, thank you,” I say, which is difficult, believe me. “You two finish up and then play your game. We’ll be upstairs. Have fun!”

Whew. Now they’ll really get a chance to talk. They’re going to fall in love and live happily ever after. Maybe it’ll happen right away and we’ll be able to go home before bedtime.

Jonah and I turn and start to walk out of the dining room.

We don’t get far before Beauty pushes her chair back. “I need to go upstairs, too. Sorry. I don’t think I can play trump tonight. Thank you for dinner.”

Huh? What’s she doing?

Mr. Beast’s face clouds over. “Fine. Good night,” he thunders.

Without comment, she runs from the dining room.

Jonah and I just stand there dumbfounded. What just happened?