I push up my glasses and we walk towards the museum. It’s early enough that barely any patrons mull about. “So, did they tell you you’re not the first member of this monster liaison program?” I ask.
“I’m not?” Aisen asks.
“No. You’ll be working with someone who was raised in the ocean until this year. It’s my good friend, Mr. Shaughnessy, AKA Razorjaw.”
The kid snickers. “Razor…jaw?”
“Yup,” I reply. “He’s a shark shifter.”
“Whoa.” Aisen nervously glances at his uncle.
Reed calmly smiles. “I met him. He’s very polite. And if a successful guy like that spent more time in the ocean than you, that means you’ll be just fine in the long run.” He taps his nephew’s shoulder, but Aisen only calms down marginally.
The three of us walk down the corridor and, at last, make it to RJ. He’s gazing fondly at his boyfriend, Karlo, and both oftheir hands lean on a table. I can tell they’re itching to touch each other—typical honeymoon phase. When we get to them, the couple has the decency to step back from each other and act professional.
“Skyler,” RJ says.
“Guys. Meet the Sung family,” I say. I turn to my left and add, “This is Karlo and Razorjaw.”
Aisen shakes their hands as Reed greets Karlo. RJ, meanwhile, smiles at Aisen. “And you were the one raised in the ocean?” RJ asks.
Aisen hesitates and looks at Reed, who nods. “Um, yeah. I barely remember the first few years of my life, since I was little.” I exchange a smile with Reed as we watch the kid open up, emotionally. I’m dying to know the details of Aisen’s life, but one revelation at a time.
“Are you really a shark?” Aisen asks with a grin.
We all chuckle as RJ morphs into his hybrid form. He’s a tall, blue-skinned dude now with fins, and Aisen gasps. “I am the razor-jawed predator of the ocean,” RJ announces.
“But he would never hurt anyone,” Karlo explains. “No shifters anyway.”
“So, you eat the fish here at the aquarium?” Aisen asks.
RJ snickers. “I do not. I communicate with them for research purposes.”
It’s quiet for a moment, and Karlo looks at me and Reed. “Hey, Aisen, do you want to help us communicate with some of our mollusks? RJ says they can be shy. Maybe you can help them come out of their shells. Literally.”
We all laugh, and Aisen shrugs. He turns back to Reed, who nods.
“I can join you if you want,” Reed says.
“No, thanks. You and Skyler can chat while I go meet some clams or whatever.” Aisen shoos us off while walking away withKarlo and RJ. I don’t miss the knowing look my best friend shoots me as they stride away. It seems the universe is once again giving me and Reed some alone time.
I look at the tall man to my left. The glow of the aquatic exhibits makes his handsome face shine in a perfect way. I clap my hands and we both laugh softly for no reason. It’s an awkward, quiet ten seconds.
“Teenagers,” he murmurs with a grin.
“Do you want to get a drink at the café while we wait? My treat.”
Reed pauses, mulling it over in his head, before nodding. “Lead the way.”
Ten minutes later, we’re at the lobby café, a popular restaurant for workers and patrons alike. Reed and I sip coffee, and I try not to gush at the fact that we’re on a pseudo-date.
“He’s getting so big,” Reed says.
“That’s puberty.” I shrug. “You remember what that was like.”
“My home life as a teen was…nothing like this.” He sips and looks away, and my curiosity gnaws at me. But clearly, family life is a sensitive topic for him.
“I’m glad Aisen decided to come to this.”
