Chapter 9 #2
“I have a short shift today, two to six. Hours like that, good thing I don't have to pay rent anymore.”
“I'll pick you up and then go to the bakery,” Steve decided. “I'll call and let them know to expect me around six-thirty.”
“I don't want to inconvenience anybody,” Jared protested.
“You're not. They said after six, so I am confirming for six-thirty. Besides, they'll be hoping to meet you.”
Jared looked unconvinced, taking another bite of his pancakes to distract attention from his doubt. Once he swallowed he said, “I thought you worked today.”
Desmond shook his head. “I swapped with Billy. His mom's birthday is on Saturday and so I said I'd work that day for him.”
“That was nice of you,” Jared said.
“What can I say? I'm a nice guy!”
Finishing the meal, Steve paid the bill while Jared and Desmond used the restroom. That accomplished, they piled into Steve's car and headed home, only stopping along the way to pick up a couple of box fans.
“Hi, Steve said your air conditioner was on the fritz?”
Desmond eyed the young man at their door. He wore coveralls and carried a tool box. Deciding it was all right to let him in as he's been allowed into the building and Steve had promised to send someone, he opened the door to allow him to pass. The svelte man sauntered in and looked him over.
“So you're the new Alpha Mate?”
“No, that'd be Jared, the other guy who lives here. I'm Desmond.” He held out his hand. The other man sat down his tool box but did not take his hand to shake. Instead he he pursed his lips, relating his displeasure at not meeting the Alpha Mate.
“I see. AC is working everywhere else but your place, so I'm gonna check your vents.” With that, he looked over the room, picked up his tool box, and sauntered over to the nearest vent.
Unscrewing the register cover, he placed the screwdriver back in his tool box, turned and gave the watchful Desmond a saucy grin and winked as light began to shimmer around his form.
Moments later, in his place there was a small winged fairy who flew into the uncovered vent.
“Asshole,” Desmond muttered. “I'm so tempted to screw the cover back on.”
Several minutes later the fairy flew out, resumed his human guise, replaced the register, and said, “Loose bit of ducting. I'll need to fix it so the air gets through and it should be right as rain.”
“How long will that take?”
“I'll be back later, maybe in an hour or two, with what I need to do it. Won't take me long after that.”
Desmond looked relieved. “So we should have cool air tonight.”
“Oh, you'll have air tonight all right.”
Somehow that didn't sound as reassuring as it should have, Desmond thought. This guy could use some lessons on how to work with the public.
The Fae gave him a smile before picking up his tool box once more and leaving. He turned to face Desmond one last time before he shut the door. Waggling his fingers he said, “Buh bye! I'll be back shortly and have you guys all fixed up.”
On second thought, I think I will go out for the rest of day after all. I'll ask at the desk about them letting this guy in if he actually shows up again.
Mind made up, Desmond went for a shower. Nordstrom's was calling his name.
It looked like a normal bakery. The man waiting for them there didn't have fangs peeking out, wasn't clad in black, nor did he have a pasty complexion.
He also didn't sparkle. Try as he might, Jared saw no outward signs that A Bite of Heaven was a bakery owned and staffed by vampires.
The man Steve had brought him to meet was admittedly devastatingly handsome, with short wavy locks of reddish gold and the most astonishing pair of thick lashed green eyes that Jared had ever seen outside of an ad.
“I'm pleased to meet you,” the man was saying, shaking hands with Jared.
Huh. His hands don't feel icy or clammy or anything. Just normal. Jared eyed the man's suit. It was definitely of fine quality and had not come off the rack. Merino wool, he decided. Jared startled when he felt Steve touch his shoulder.
“Jared, Laurie wants us to follow him into the office in back.”
Laurie? What kind of a name for a vampire was that?Seeing a smile tug at the corners of Laurie's mouth, Jared swallowed. Oh shit, did he hear me think that? Vampires can read minds, can't they? I'm sure I read that somewhere. At least some of the stories must be true, right?
“I promise I won't bite, Jared,” Laurie teased. “But there's a plate of pastries you can feel free to sink your teeth into if you like, and Cynthia will take your order for a coffee if you'd like one.”
Jared flushed. “Th-thank you. Ummm, that'd be nice.” Jared looked over at the petite woman standing next to a stainless steel beast of a coffee machine. “A cappuccino, please.”
The woman smiled. “I'll bring the drinks in to you.” She tilted her head and gazed at Steve. “Same as always?”
“You know me well.”
She snorted. “We only see you in here every day that ends in 'y'.”
“That's your fault for being so good.”
I feel like Alice. Only instead of a rabbit, I followed a wolf right through this looking glass.Jared had never felt so far out his depth.