Chapter 7 #2
I find two empty stools at the far end of the counter and save a seat for Raegan.
I move the unnecessarily large menu out of the way and wait for a server.
Kiki’s son, Brendon, is working today, along with her sister Kendra.
The fiery redheaded sisters hardly ever work together, so they must be short-staffed.
Kendra spots me as she brings a drink to the man sitting to my right. She places his glass on top of a Kiki’s Cafe napkin and greets me with a knowing grin.
My heart plummets into my stomach. I don’t think I’m going to be hungry for pancakes, because if this chatty banshee somehow knows about me going home with Aidan, I’m going to be sick.
“Sooo,” she starts, drawing out the word, “how was the speed dating?”
Oh thank god.
My shoulders sink in relief as I wipe a bead of sweat from my neck.
“It was fine,” I tell her. My apathy isn’t hard to muster. After everything that happened with Aidan, the speed dating event feels like a pointless blip on my radar.
Kendra purses her lips and tuts. “About as successful as a pig in a pony show from what I heard.”
As I don’t spend much time around other Shadow Hills residents, it’s odd having something to talk about that actually involves me.
Living further away gives me the advantage of hovering on the outskirts of most of the drama.
But I should have expected something like the town’s first speed dating event would gain traction.
Kendra wipes a bead of sweat from her brow, messing up the clip pinning back her bright red bangs. “I heard Aidan Ward finally came out of that dungeon of his and participated in a town event!”
Hearing her mention Aidan signals a fresh wave of perspiration to trickle down my back. I don’t want to talk about Aidan. I don’t really want to be talking at all, but Shadow Hills is a small town, and if it’s one thing small towns are known for, it’s the small talk.
“Yep. Wild.” I emphasize the word while nodding my head, hoping my agreeing with her will be enough, but Kendra continues to spew gossip.
“I had no idea he had a crush on you, or else I would have tried to hook you two up months ago!”
I nearly slide off my seat but manage to catch myself. “Why do you say that?” I ask. I think I’m running a fever.
Kendra cocks her head. “Well it was just you, wasn’t it? All the men were there to talk with you?”
I want to kick Raegan in the shin.
“I don’t think they knew I was going to be the only woman there,” I say, voice shaking. “I wasn’t told until I got there. It was sort of a mix up.” I laugh awkwardly, but Kendra doesn’t buy it.
She raises one eyebrow and rests her chin on her hand, leaning as far over the counter as she can. “Don’t you think he would have left if he wasn’t interested?” she asks conspiratorially.
“I don’t—”
“Hey, Kendra!” Thankfully, I’m interrupted by Raegan’s sudden arrival. “Chatting with the birthday girl?”
Kendra straightens and pouts her bottom lip. “You didn’t tell me it’s your birthday!” She runs to the kitchen in haste, concern about my lovelife all but forgotten.
“Bless you,” I tell Raegan as she takes the stool in the corner. “I think I’m officially on the town radar.”
“Radar?” She straightens, jerking her head back reflexively with a quizzical expression. “What do you mean?”
I prop the menu up in front of me. “I’m a known single in Shadow Hills, thanks to you,” I whisper, “so now the elderly want to set me up!” My last words come out with a bit more force and shrillness.
Raegan leans in surreptitiously. “Did she actually say that?”
“Verbatim.”
“Oh.” There’s pity in her eyes. “It’s kinda true though.” My jaw falls open, but she presses onward without letting me get a word in. “It’s why I wanted you to participate. I know you’re lonely, and I think it’s good for you to put yourself out there, start talking to new people.”
I’ve never told Raegan how I truly feel about being in a relationship. All she has to go on is my constant jokes about finding a werewolf mate. “Did you purposefully not choose any other women?”
Now she looks guilty. “There’s really not that many single women in Shadow Hills.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose in an attempt to keep my head from exploding. The gesture reminds me of Aidan and his constant frustration with me, only making it worse.
“I really am a spinster,” I mutter under my breath.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing.”
Raegan places her hand on top of my menu and lowers it so I can no longer hide. “I’m sorry. It was probably really awkward for you wasn’t it?”
I press my lips together. “Let’s not talk about that. It’s not important. I don’t want to spoil our first annual birthday brunch.” I’m deflecting, just like I always do.
Raegan beams, and I’ve successfully swept another problem under the rug. We order pancakes with lots of toppings—I stick mostly to fruits and syrup while Raegan goes for a chocolate chip and whip cream approach.
As we eat, my thoughts spiral right back to Aidan. It doesn’t matter what I do. He continues to infiltrate my mind like he’s James Bond.
“Do you know much about vampires?” I ask off the cuff, just as Raegan shoves a large bite of triple-layered pancake into her mouth.
She chews absentmindedly as she ponders my question, not a clue as to why I would be asking such a thing. After another minute, she swallows and replies, “We learned about them in school, and Jamie has told me some stuff, but he doesn’t know a lot.” She scrunches her nose. “Why?”
I try to sway my face into looking passive, but my heart is beating like a wild bird trying to escape a cage. As much as I don't want to bring up the event that started this mess, it’s my only valid excuse. “The speed dating thing,” I say casually. “Seeing Aidan there was a little weird.”
Raegan frowns. “Why was it weird? Did he say something to you?”
I wave my hand dismissively. “No, no. Nothing like that. It just got me thinking about vampire abilities.” I might be digging myself into a hole, but I continue. “When it comes to dating, is it really fair? Like, do they have glamour abilities like everyone thinks?”
Raegan’s eyes light up. “Joanna, did Aidan glamour you?”
“Definitely not,” I say quickly. “It’s just curiosity. I always thought vampires could lure their victims in—sexual or otherwise. If someone hooked up with them or something, how would they know it wasn’t just a mind game.?”
This is it. I’ve blown my cover. There’s no way she isn’t going to put together the very obvious pieces.
“I think that’s just folklore,” Raegan says matter-of-factly, still completely clueless. “Aidan has never influenced anyone against their will, as far as I know. And if he did, I don't think Jamie would be friends with him. That’s fucked up.”
I let out a huge sigh of relief, but she’s not finished. “Any particular reason you’re thinking about all this?”
I grab my glass of water and gulp it down. “Nope. Just me being nosey. You know how fascinated I am with the paranormals. I wanted to join the werewolf pack a few months ago, remember?”
Raegan gives me another once over before she decides to let the subject go. “So what’s the plan after this?” she asks.
“Back to the farm. I can’t leave the animals alone for too long.”
There’s that look of pity again. “You really should try to find some help, even if it’s just volunteers on the weekends or something. You deserve a break.”
I stack my plates and silverware neatly in front of me. “I’m fine. My mom’s coming back next week. Besides, no one knows that place like I do. Anyone else would run it into the ground. I’ve got animals depending on me.”
In reality, that farm is all I have. If I didn’t spend every waking minute there, what else would I do?
“I think if you took the time to teach someone,” Raegan suggests slowly, like she’s approaching a wild animal, “along with a little trust, you might be proven wrong.”
I hate that her words sting, but they do.
They sit awkwardly in my chest as I try to digest them.
I’m perfectly capable of asking for help if I really needed it.
Things aren’t that bad. Sure, I might be a little stressed, but who isn’t when it comes to their job?
Mine might be a little different than others, but that also comes with benefits.
I get to hang out with cool animals all day who each have their own fun personalities.
“Just think about it, okay?” she suggests.
I nod my head, not wanting her to think there’s any reason to worry. It’s a gesture I’ve grown accustomed to, even when it’s a lie. Especially when it’s a lie.