Redd tried to object but Ginger was already at the next table.
“Cider, huh? I guess that’s… fine. I’m more of an ale guy myself.”
“I knew you would be! I don’t know how you drink that stuff. It tastes like piss.” I shivered.
He quirked an eyebrow at me. “Now I don’t know about you, but I don’t typically drink piss, so I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I sighed in exasperation. “Good one. Very funny.”
He chuckled under his breath and glanced around. “I hope this stew is as good as you say it is. I’ve become a fan of the diner’s dinners, that’s where I’ve been eating most nights.”
“Oh, trust me, it’ll be the best thing you’ve ever tasted,” I practically swooned. I caught a whiff of the stew on the way in. It smelled like today would be a fish grain tomato stew. Delicious.
Ginger returned and plopped the goblets and blood shots in front of us. I chose to down half of the shot and then pour the rest onto my goblet. Redd shrugged his shoulders and did the same. It seemed that he was resigned to following my lead today. I liked it.
“Okay, now ditch any preconceived ideas about ciders you had before this moment, and just try it.” I was bouncing in excitement for him to try his first sip.
He glanced around nervously, seemed to realize that time wouldn’t stop if he indulged in a sweet drink instead of a pissy one, and let out a quiet sigh.
He lifted the goblet to his (admittedly very nice) lips and took a tentative sip. He hesitated, seemed to think for a moment, and then took another sip. He set the goblet down with a thunk and looked me in the eye.
“Fiella Elmwick. You were right and I was wrong. This is the second most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted.” He had a mischievous glint in his eye.
I smiled so wide my cheeks hurt. “See! I told you so!” I took a sip of my own cider. Lavender blueberry. Yep, this flavor could win over any folk. “You said the second most delicious, what’s been the most delicious? I’m curious.” Tandor caught my eye across the pub and waved, a bright smile lighting up his face. I waved back.
Redd hadn’t responded so I glanced back in his direction. He was staring at me pointedly, a slight flush to his cheeks. It took me a moment to understand what he was insinuating. I damnnear choked on my cider. The thought sent a bolt of heat through me. I crossed my legs and tried not to squirm too obviously.
“Oh.Oh. Okay. Well,” I didn’t know what to say. I could feel the heat in my neck and my cheeks, I was sure I was as red as a tomato.
Redd laughed loudly, flashing his fangs. He so rarely laughed like that; it took my breath away. “You should see your face right now. I wish I could capture it in a painting.” He took another swallow of cider, his throat working. “Sorry if that’s rude, I’m just being honest. You are a delicacy.” His tongue flicked out and caught a drip of cider before it could fall onto his perpetually stubbled chin.
I cleared my throat and willed the blood to leave my cheeks. “It’s not rude at all, you just caught me by surprise.” I took a gulp of my cider to calm myself. “I’m flattered, really. That’s high praise.”
“It is averyclose second. This stuff is incredible.”
I laughed and saw Ginger approaching from the corner of my eye. “Understandable. Just wait until you try the stew.”
“Sweet talking my customers for me again, Fiella?” Ginger asked with a wink as she set our bowls in front of us. “I ought to pay you for that.”
The heavenly scent of tomatoes and herbs hit my nose and I had to suppress a groan. “Keep feeding me these gods-blessed meals and I’ll shout your praises from the rooftops. Thanks, Ginger.”
“Enjoy! Shout if you need anything. I’ll bring you another round of drinks after I finish making this lap.” She twirled away with impressive speed, her hoofed feet clacking on the tiled floor.
The stew today was served with a few slices of warm sourdough bread. I ripped my bread to bits and tossed them into my bowl. Redd watched me with a pained expression onhis face. “You’re really going to mutilate a perfectly good slice of sourdough like that? Blasphemy.”
“Don’t knock it til you try it! You should know by now, I’m always right.” I winked at him, blew on my spoonful to cool it down, and took a massive bite. The groan slipped out this time, I couldn’t help it.
Redd cleared his throat and took a bite of his own stew. His eyes rolled into the back of his head for a moment before he seemed to come back to himself.
“I think I just had a religious experience,” he said, immediately shoveling another spoonful into his mouth.
“Better than sex, right?” I joked.
“Now I don’t know if I could gothatfar,” he laughed, “but it’s pretty gods damned close.”
CHAPTER 30
Redd
