“What do you mean? What’s my type?” I tense, waiting for some clarification.
Lerana’s mouth goes taut.
“I didn’t mean anything by it.” She stumbles over her words a bit. “It’s just you seem to like a man in authority, is all. You know, with the professor and now your boss.”
I know she meant it to be harmless, but the realization hits me like a sucker punch to the gut.
“Lerana…” Andri groans.
“That’s not great,” I mutter through gritted teeth.
“God, ugh, I didn’t mean to make you feel bad. Andri is nothing like that jerk you were with before!” Lerana keeps looking at Andri and panicking.
“You’re right though, I don’t want to start another relationship with that kind of gap in the power dynamic.”
“What?” Andri blanches.
“Oh faunus!” Lerana curses.
“So I’m gonna quit, before we go any further.” I let the seriousness fade from my face. “Problem solved…well, I mean, besides me being a jobless drifter.” I wink at the worried yeti.
“You scared the shit out of me.” He grips the edge of the table and attempts to slow down his breathing.
“You and me both.” Lerana fans her notepad in front of her face. “But hell, I can solve at least one of your problems!” She perks up.
“Yeah?” I ask hopefully.
“Work here! I’ve been begging Ted for another waitress to spread my shifts around with. Between Ted’s and the resort, I’m really striking out on family time.”
“Are you sure? I’ve never even waitressed before.” I don’t hate the idea, though.
“Honey, if you can put up with that fuckwad you used to call your fiance, you’re already miles more prepared than you think you are. Just smile, bring hungry people their food, and make sure to talk shit about the mean ones in the back. My only tip is to pick up smoking so you get more breaks, but don’t tell Ted I said that.” She winks.
“How about I buy a pack and we just tell Ted I do?” I grin.
“Whatever works, he’s an easy boss—just don’t shack up with him, he’s off the market.” Her face turns serious at the warning.
“I didn’t realize you two were a thing?” I say, a little shocked. The grumpy chef doesn’t seem the type to be sweet on someone.
“Well, we’re not—but it doesn’t mean we need to close any doors to what might happen, right? Also, keep that to yourself,” she smiles. “Come by tomorrow morning?”
“I’ll be here, and I promise not to have sex with Ted.”
At that very moment, Ted walks by, and the confusion that blooms across the bigfoot’s face is palpable.
“What in the world?” He looks like a disappointed dad—that is, if your dad was a cryptid.
Chapter seventeen
Andri
We’vebeeninadelightful holding pattern for the past week and a half, where during the day we both go to our respective jobs, and then in the evening we rally back at my cabin. Even though Daphne tossed the “dating” word around at the diner, there’s yet to be anything set in stone about what’s going on between us. I’m fine with that, because I’m closer now than I’d ever thought I’d be.
I can tell there’s something holding us both back from going further sexually than we have—it might be something as small as the time not being right. It doesn’t feel fair to rush this new romance though. I want to savor it while I can.
So the second Daphne walks in the door from her shift at Ted’s, I wrap my arms around her. I scoop her up and kiss her on the forehead.
“Good day at work?” I grin, happy to see her. I’ve felt a little off all day and have chalked it up to Daphne withdrawal.
