Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
Cryptids United in Delightful Dating and Love Encouragement (CUDDLE) Forum
SuperShySasquatch: My boyfriend is brilliant.
He’s even helping me with my business. Now I’ve got a website, a social media account, and a professional plan for how to attract more customers.
I didn’t have a clue about any of this stuff, which is probably why business hasn’t exactly been booming for a very long time.
IPutTheBrahInChupacabra: Whoa, dude. You guys have leveled up from boyfriends to partners overnight.
YetiOrNotHereICome: No kidding. I think you’ve got a keeper. Someone who wants to help you be successful is a rare thing in this day and age.
LoungeSingerLizardMan: I’ll drink to that.
SuperShySasquatch: He’s starting his own brand-new business in town, so he’s been super busy, but he devoted his time and expertise to helping me.
It was such a generous and selfless act.
I was so touched. No one’s ever done something like this for me.
And the way he took charge and made it happen was so cool!
MerMagicMan: Once again, my love life looks even more lackluster in comparison. But please, do keep bragging. JK. I want to hear all the details. *winky face emoji
NessieNeedsLoveToo: I thought you were taking things slow? *side-eye emoji
SuperShySasquatch: We are. At least, I think we are.
My heart has already raced to the finish line, but I don’t want to rush him when it comes to feelings.
For now, I’m making sure we’re talking and getting to know each other better, learning each other’s preferences, and so forth.
In fact, he’s taking me on our first date soon. His idea!
YetiOrNotHereICome: I’m totally sighing dreamily over here. This is the most precious love story I’ve been privy to in ages. Can’t wait to hear how the date goes. Have a wonderful time, honey.
SuperShySasquatch: Wish me well in wooing my one and only.
Hal
Itook the initiative for once and am now holding Skylar’s hand. In public. My boyfriend’s hand.
Also, I am trying not to hyperventilate.
Truthfully, I was beginning to despair that a day like this would ever come.
Even though I had held on to hope, it was dwindling hope before Skylar came into my life.
I had already begun mentally preparing myself to be alone for the rest of my days.
My life would have still been fulfilling, with purpose and meaning, but now I realize that having Skylar at my side makes it so much richer.
My heart is unwavering in its certainty that Skylar’s the one, but I don’t want to scare him with that revelation quite yet. I need to give his feelings time to hopefully catch up with mine. Until then, I plan on enjoying the journey with him.
“So tell me more about this bar we’re going to,” Skylar says.
“It’s very popular. The owner, Akram, is a bit mysterious but a dependable guy. He’s even offering a signature Harvest Festival cocktail and mocktail at a discounted price all weekend.”
Skylar considers that. “I should talk to him and see if he has any insights from running the bar here. Any insider info I can get on how to appeal to folks is golden.”
“I’m sure he’d be happy to discuss it with you. He doesn’t tend to share a lot about his personal life, but he’s always willing to talk business. So is Kassiel, one of my colleagues on the Harvest Festival planning committee. You’ll get to meet him at our session tomorrow.”
“Awesome.” He flashes me a blinding smile that sends my heart racing and the butterflies in my stomach fluttering.
We walk in awkward silence and I revert to bumbling teenagerhood all over again, running a hand through my beard and clearing my throat, hoping the hearts in my eyes aren’t way too obvious.
Skylar shoves his free hand in his jacket pocket and pulls out a lozenge, then unwraps it—one-handed!
My boyfriend is James Dean-level cool—and pops it in his mouth.
I can’t help but smile. I know quitting smoking has been hard for him, but I’ve been doing everything in my power to help, and I’m impressed with how well he’s been doing, considering the stress of opening a new business.
Keeping Skylar healthy and happy is one of my new missions in life.
It’s a quieter night than usual as we turn onto an empty Main Street and walk past silent, dark storefronts. A strange hush has fallen over Mystic Hollow.
I suspect many folks went home to ruminate after the meeting. The news is understandably worrying, but Baxter and Astraea ended on a somewhat optimistic note, so I’m hopeful that most folks will decide to stay.
When we arrive at our destination, I open the heavy door and gesture Skylar to go in ahead of me. The bar is housed in a rather ordinary brick building that doesn’t seem particularly special. However, on the inside, it’s another story.
Stepping into Akram’s Oasis is a true feast for the senses.
Stunning mosaic lanterns hang from the ceiling and refract soft lighting, painted tapestries in deep gold line the walls, and colorful pillows and cushions accent the cozy nooks and intimate booths designed to let patrons linger all night long.
Altogether, it creates an intimate, almost romantic vibe.
As my eyes rove over the room, they’re assaulted by small, naked bodies with long beards, and I do a double take. A motley crew of drinking naked gnomes are celebrating at one of the tables in the back.
Thank goodness no one under twenty-one can enter the premises.
“Oi!” Akram shouts from behind the bar, where he’s cleaning glasses. “Keep your naked bits off my cushions.”
The gnomes raise their glasses and cheer before breaking into what sounds like a garden-themed version of a sea chantey set to the tune of “Wellerman.”
There once was a garden full of weeds
The plants did freely spread their seeds
The gnomes did dance, round and round
O prance my good friends, prance!
Long may our brethren roam,
’Tis blessed to be a naked gnome
One day when the clothing is gone
Liberation will come!
“They definitely know how to make an impression,” Skylar says. I can tell he’s trying not to chuckle.
“That’s one way to describe it,” I agree. They continue to sing the next verse, oblivious to all around them. “Until recently, I never realized they were such a musical species.”
We veer in the opposite direction and walk up to the quieter bar to take over two stools.
“How’s it going?” I say to Akram.
His lips twitch with amusement. “Can’t complain.”
I jerk a thumb at the rowdy patrons, now clapping for one of their friends, who’s dancing an Irish jig on the table. “Any problems with our new town residents who bare all?”
He shakes his head. “They’re paying customers and enthusiastic drinkers. Business is slow enough tonight that I’m willing to put up with their shenanigans as long as they keep their wallets open and don’t break anything.”
I chuckle. “We’ve had some… interesting encounters with them recently.” I take hold of Skylar’s hand and hold it on the bartop. “Sorry, I forgot to introduce you. This is Skylar Wright. He’s opening the new salon in town.” My chest puffs up with pride. “And he’s my boyfriend.”
Akram arches a dark, perfectly sculpted eyebrow as he glances between us, then smiles. “How wonderful. Congratulations. You’ve finally found someone who knows what a gem you truly are.”
“Damn right,” Skylar says. “Hal’s the absolute best.”
Akram extends a deep red hand to Skylar. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Akram Fayed and this is my humble establishment.”
Like most djinn, Akram has a distinctly sensual air about him that, quite frankly, makes me a little nervous.
Many in town find him attractive, and I’m sure he’s a lot more experienced in the romance department than me.
Tall and brawny, Akram sports the deep red skin, raven-black hair, and trim goatee common to the men of his species.
Even I can admit that he’s quite arresting upon first encounter.
He’s also one of the most mysterious residents in Mystic Hollow, which probably adds to his appeal for some.
To my surprise, Skylar doesn’t hold his hand out to shake Akram’s but opts to give a friendly wave instead. “Nice to meet you, Akram.”
My heart twinges. Based on some of his actions, I have a sinking feeling that Skylar’s abusive ex was a rather large and muscular man. Skylar was similarly tense around Baxter when they first met.
I move my arm behind Skylar and gently rest my hand on his lower back to remind him that I’m here and will keep him safe.
The look Akram shoots me is full of amusement, but he pulls back his hand without any fanfare and says, “What can I get you two?”
I blush a little as I place my standard order. “Ahem. A Shirley Temple for me, as usual.”
Skylar grins, and I marvel at the way that the corners of his lovely sea-green eyes crinkle like starbursts. “You like the sweet stuff, huh?”
“I’ve never been a big fan of alcohol,” I say. “But I have no problem with other people enjoying it in my presence.”
Skylar considers my words, then turns back to Akram. “Make that two. I’ll join him in that Shirley Temple.”
Akram’s eyebrows wing up so high I think they might reach his hairline, but he doesn’t comment. He just gets to work on making our drinks, for which I’m grateful.
A tingly sensation rushes through me as I study the man beside me. “You didn’t have to get the same thing as me. It’s fine if you want to have an alcoholic beverage.”
Skylar shakes his head. “It’s all good. I like to respect the preferences of the people I’m with.
It’s about making sure we’re both comfortable.
” His eyes turn distant. “One of my roommates from when I left Damien was working on his sobriety. It kind of became a habit for me to take steps so I wasn’t interfering with his recovery. ”
“No doubt he appreciated your support. Fortunately, I have no battles with addiction of any kind. I’m just not keen on the way most alcohol tastes or the way I feel when I drink it.”