Chapter 10 #2
I’ll only get answers if I ask him directly. I don’t think I can do that. I’m brave enough to administer medical aid to what I thought was a wild fox in the woods, but not brave enough to tell Amazra I have feelings for him. I might never be.
Downtown is its usual level of moderately busy when I enter one of my favorite shops, Perfect Fit. Who am I kidding—all the shops are my favorite. And right now, shopping counts as very necessary self-care.
Terra, my friend and the owner, waves from the changeroom area, where she’s passing things into two occupied dressing rooms. “Be right with you, Lilah!”
“No hurry here,” I return. “I took the afternoon off.”
“Ooh, sounds like someone’s free to join us for spa treatments,” a familiar voice calls from inside one of the changerooms. Then the curtain slides open and one of Fate’s Falls’ other human residents emerges.
Yes, emerges. Rosetta isn’t someone who actively tries to get noticed, but it inevitably happens.
The petite redhead is as outgoing as she is sassy, and that level is at the max.
The other dressing room door opens and a woman I haven’t met steps out, holding whatever she just tried on behind her back. “I don’t think these are for me,” she says to Terra, attempting to pass the items off subtly.
But Rosetta’s not having it, snagging the pieces from her shopping partner’s hand. Lingerie. The skimpy variety, based on how little fabric is hanging from Ro’s fingers. “Did they fit?”
The brunette’s face was already soft pink when she exited the changeroom. Now it’s fuchsia. “Yes, but—”
“And did you look sexy as hell in them?” Ro points a finger at her. “No lying. No being modest, either.”
Her friend gives a pained sigh. “They’re…flattering.”
Rosetta snorts, handing the items to Terra. “She’ll take them. And I’ll take these,” she says, having zero fucks that I can see the risqué panties and bra, if they can even be labeled as such when there’s little more to them than some black ribbon held together by stitching.
Apparently, it’s my turn next because Rosetta waves me over. It’d be rude not to go. Plus, hanging with Ro is always a good time. I could use a dash of her conquer-all-the-things spirit.
“So, what do you think?” she asks when I reach them.
“Join us for spa stuff after you’re done shopping?
” Before I can answer, she wiggles and jiggles on the spot, her wild red curls bouncing.
“Oh, but first, introductions! Natalie, this is Lilah, one of your future best friends. Lilah, this is my cousin and lifelong, number-one bestie, Natalie. Nat’s here for my wedding, but she’s never going back to Toronto if Constantine and I have anything to say about it. ”
A renewed blush floods Natalie’s face as Rosetta elbows her playfully. “Very nice to meet you,” Natalie says, ignoring her cousin’s comment while extending her hand.
“Same.” Smiling at both of them, I shake Natalie’s hand. Having girlfriends in my life is one of the best things about living here, and I’m more than happy to gain another. “So, does Rosetta have it right? Did Cupid get you and everybody’s favorite Minotaur?”
Natalie’s hazel eyes nearly pop out of her head. “Oh my god, Cupids are real, too?”
Rosetta snorts another laugh, rubbing her cousin’s back while looking at me. “Nat’s only been in town a few days, and I didn’t warn her that monsters are real before she got here. She’s still adjusting to the new normal.”
“You could’ve told me, Ro,” Natalie says, shooting her the side-eye.
“And risk you not coming? No way. Besides, look how perfectly everything’s working out.
” Rosetta tilts her head toward the sales counter where Terra took their future purchases.
“You wouldn’t be out shopping for skimpies to be ripped off later if you’d stayed holed-up in your Toronto shoebox of an apartment, working around the clock and having no life.
Ooh, and speaking of shoes, we should stop at Sole Mate and get you some of those sexy bedroom sandals with the clear heels and feathery poofs.
Not that you need any extras to drive Constantine wild.
He’s been waiting fifteen years for you, after all. ”
I don’t think it’s possible for Natalie’s face to get any redder. With the little gurgle she makes, I’m not sure it’s possible for her to speak at the moment, either. Since I contributed to the embarrassment, shifting the focus is the least I can do.
“To answer your Cupid question,” I say, “I haven’t met one, but that doesn’t mean anything.
I’ve only been in town a few months, so I’m relatively new to the whole monster society thing.
But everyone here is awesome. I know we just met, but I hope you’ll consider staying.
This truly is the best place on earth to live. ”
“It really does seem idyllic,” Natalie says as the deep blush fades from her complexion. “How did you find your way here, Lilah? Was it for love, like Rosetta with Dak?”
“Oh, no, not at all. Sort of the opposite. After a miserable divorce from an asshole I married when I was young and dumb, I got the cockamamie idea to go on a solo camping trip to ‘find myself again.’ Just saying that out loud now makes me realize how unhinged I was. What twenty-seven-year-old woman with a lick of good sense goes camping in the mountains alone?”
Natalie is obviously a sweetheart because instead of agreeing, she places a hand on my arm and gives a gentle squeeze. “You were obviously very hurt and needed the space to heal. Did you get lost and end up in Fate’s Falls?”
I shake my head. “While hiking, I came upon a badly injured fox. I’m a veterinary assistant, so it’s second nature to help animals, and that’s what I did.
Then the fox changed into a man, right in front of my eyes.
He was still in rough shape, so I helped him get home, which is here.
His pack welcomed me and invited me to stay.
I wanted a fresh start, and I got one better than I ever could’ve imagined. ”
“That’s incredible,” Natalie says. “What did you do when the fox shifted into a man? Did you know about nonhumans already?”
“No, I totally freaked out! But seeing is believing, and once you’re aware that humans aren’t the only free-thinking species around, accepting the scope of what else, who else, is here, isn’t really so hard.”
Rosetta nods. “Perfectly put. You know what is hard to believe? That you’ve been here for months and you’re still walking around a single woman while surrounded by so many sexy beasts, and I do mean that literally.”
“Never mind her,” Natalie says, rolling her eyes. “Ever since Ro connected with Dak, she’s had nothing on her mind except sex.”
“Not true, I also have love on my mind. I loooove my big, green, sexy orc. And yes, I also want sex all the time. Literally, all the damn time.” She snorts. “You would too, trust me.”
“My cousin, the oversharer.” Natalie shakes her head, but there’s a smile on her face.
“And I know we just met, Lilah, so I really have no place telling you what to do or not do, but don’t let Ro harass you into finding a relationship.
She gets it in her head to do a thing, and she’s like a dog with a bone. ”
“Just trying to make sure all my friends experience the monster bone,” Ro says, making hubba-hubba eyes.
“Seriously, though. Nobody of interest, Lilah? What about the vet? He’s hot.
A charmer, too, and that’s saying something for a demon.
Most of them are a little on the stiff side.
And I’m not talking about the good stiff, though I’m sure they all have that going for them, based on their size. ”
I scrunch up my face. “I’m not interested in my boss.”
Rosetta might be hyper-focused on her own relationship, but she’s sharp. Tack sharp. Doesn’t miss much, including the wording I used for my answer. “All right, who is it? Tell us now or tell us later, but you know I’m going to get it out of you.”
I turn my attention to her cousin. “Has she always been like this?”
“Literally since birth.” Natalie shrugs.
“And I know I should jump in and try to save you, but honestly, it’s nice to have her pointing that interrogation light in another direction for a few minutes.
She who used to openly loathe commitment and monogamy is now the ultimate believer in romantic happily ever afters. ”
“How are you ladies doing over here?” Terra asks, joining us after finishing up with another customer.
“Lilah, is there anything special you’re shopping for today that I can help with?
” Terra is always nice. Always helpful. Today, she seems extra so, probably because the plan she was part of during bingo night didn’t go the way my friends intended.
Which isn’t her fault, or anyone’s. Even Amazra’s.
“Nothing specific. Just something pretty.” Letting my gaze drift to the nearest display of panties is like dangling bait in front of Rosetta.
“You are seeing someone.”
“Sadly, no. I just need a pick-me-up.”
“Or to be picked up.” Ro gives me another ginger-eyebrow wiggle.
“And what better place for that than my wedding? Let’s find you a hot new dress to go with whatever sexy skivvies caught your eye.
Make all those hunky single monsters go wild for you at the reception.
Then you can take your pick and not go home alone. ”
“Unless you want to go home alone.” Natalie is obviously the I’ve-got-your-back type.
“I don’t think she wants to.” Terra’s comment has all three of our heads turning.
“I know I’m probably overstepping with what I’m about to say, Lilah, and I hope you won’t be upset with me, but…
” Terra meets my gaze and smiles. “I have a clear view of Just Baked from my front window here. I’ve watched you go there multiple times a day since you came to town.
And the baked goods are excellent, but I know they’re not the reason for your daily visits.
All of your friends know. Heck, anyone who’s ever seen you around Amazra probably knows. ”
“You’re into the baker?” Rosetta says. “The very large, very strong, very silent type. I approve.”
Of course she does. Her orc fiancé is in the same category.
“I only came in here for a pick-me-up, but now that my secret crush isn’t a secret, I might as well get another opinion on what to do about it.”
“Another opinion?” Terra says.
Nodding, I sigh. “It wasn’t voluntary advice-seeking, but there’s no hiding anything from my boss. He says his super sniffer can detect human emotions because they all have distinct odors. He’s such a delight.”
“He’s a character,” Terra says. “It’s not just him, though. All hell demons have a heightened sense of smell. A lot of the cryptid species do, too.”
“Can confirm.” Again, Natalie’s cheeks flame with a deep blush. “Constantine is very, um, scent-motivated.”
Beside her, Rosetta whoops, giving a fist bump to her red-in-the-face cousin.
This is premium girl talk. But all I can think about is Terra’s comment. “All demons have a heightened sense of smell?”
Terra nods. “As far as I know, yes.”
All the times I’ve been in his bakery, in that small, confined space with its somewhat-lacking air flow…
Could he smell my interest in him? My arousal at the sight of his hulking body and horns?
And if he could, and he didn’t act on it, that’s an answer in itself.
Unfortunately, not the one I’ve spent months hoping for.
Groaning, I cover my face with both hands.
“If you’re worried that Amazra is aware of how you feel but doesn’t return the sentiment, I think you’re mistaken.
” Terra’s voice is as soft as her fingers, gently peeling my hands free.
“He watches you, Lilah. First, he watches for you. I’ve seen it, the way he stares at the door when he’s expecting you to walk through it.
Then, while you’re in his presence, he never takes his eyes off you.
And when you leave, his gaze follows you until you’re out of sight.
Most times, he moves to the front window to watch you. ”
“He does all that?” The desperation in my voice is as clear as the glass Terra has been observing us through. And I don’t care even a bit. I just need to know. Any little thing she can tell me.
“He does.” Terra gives my arm a light squeeze.
“I know hell demons can be hard to read because they’re not emotionally motivated, but I really believe Amazra is interested in you.
Like, obsession-level interested, but in a good way.
Maybe in a respectful way? In all the years he’s lived in town, I’ve never seen him respond this way to anyone.
Ever. I’ve never seen him respond to anyone in any way, actually. He’s different with you.”
As hopeful as that sounds, it’s the they’re not emotionally motivated part that my brain sticks on.
Not as straightforward as Daemon’s statement that demons do not fall in love, but definitely in the same vein.
If Amazra is interested in me in a physical way, would that be enough for me?
Could I really accept it if that’s all he’s capable of giving?
If I don’t take a chance, I might never find out.
“Okay, ladies, let’s do this. Find me the perfect wedding-appropriate dress to make me irresistible. I have a demon to seduce.”