Reed approaches us, and I step out of the way. “Take care, Mr. Sung,” I say.
“Please, it’s Reed.” He adjusts his tie, gives a slight bow, and walks out. Emma waves and disappears. Meanwhile, I stare at his trim, tall figure walking down the steps into the California sunshine.
I sigh. Reed is so fine. If he joins, he’s about to be the best work-related perk of all time. I don’t know if he’s gay or would even be into me, but logic can’t stop a gay dude from dreaming.
“Skyler, are you okay?”
Ardsley’s voice brings me to the present. “Um, I’m fine.” I don’t need my friends to make fun of me for such a premature, fruitless crush.
“Are you even supposed to be cleaning this section?”
“I don’t know, maybe!” I say with a hefty dose of defensiveness. I squeeze my rag and power-walk away. I love my buddy, but right now, I need to be alone.
The next time I see Reed, I swear I’ll impress him with my looks and knowledge. Ardsley has a boyfriend, and our other best friend, Karlo, has a shark dude lusting after him. Maybe this super handsome businessman daddy-type can be someone for me. Perhaps after a string of shitty exes, this can be my time.
CHAPTER 3- REED
AFTER PARKING, Irecheck my phone before pocketing it. Emma stated that I can get that full tour of the Maritime Monsters Institute when I’m free. After some weeks, I’ve managed to escape my work meetings to take the day off. I don’t have to pick up Aisen yet, so my afternoon is wide open. Time to face the music.
I take a deep breath alone in my car as I gaze at the institute façade. It’s so not a big deal. Why am I freaking out over a tour?
Because Emma confirmed that she’s not giving me the tour. She’s not the person who makes me lose my cool.
Skyler.
After clearing my throat, I wipe my palms on my suit pants. The very memory of that cute blond has my inner kraken threatening to break free. Between his adorable smile, glasses-clad face, and trim body, I’m surprised I was able to abstain from tossing my tentacles at him. I got major gay vibes from him, but I refuse to gush over sexy strangers in public.
With one last deep breath, I get out of the car. As I walk up the stairs to the front door, I mentally remind myself that I’m doing this for Aisen. Besides, I’m sure Skyler isn’t as attractive as I remember.
When I walk into the lobby of MM, I realize that’s a lie. Skyler approaches me with a wave, and I nearly cough at how attracted I am to him. I’ve been celibate for what feels like a century, so I need to calm my rising pulse. Still, how can I be chill?the man looks gorgeous in his work polo. My innerkraken has visions of wrapping him up and dragging him to my bedroom.Down boy.
Skyler is flanked by another tall White dude, so a third party should help me relax. The big guy is muscular, with an adorably perplexed look, but he’s not my type. He’s not the skinny, shorter, pretty, flamboyant man standing before me.
“You came!”
Did Skyler really have to word it like that?
He clears his throat, and I play with my fingers. “I did,” I reply. “Skyler, right?”
“Um, yeah. I can’t believe you remembered my name.”
He seems reverent for whatever reason, and it’s a huge turn-on. I can’t help the flirtatious instincts from kicking in. “Well, you were so helpful and knowledgeable the last time I visited. And I’m going to be coming here very often. It’ll be nice to make professional colleagues.” I realize that the big action hero dude is staring at me, so I turn to him. “We haven’t met yet.”
“Um, Mr. Shaughnessy,” Skyler says, looking between us. “Meet Mr. Reed Sung. He’s interested in our maritime shifter liaison program. We all could learn more about ocean creatures.”
The man shakes my hand. “I am Razorjaw. You grew up in the sea?”
I laugh lightly. “The program isn’t for me. Though, I am willing to participate in whatever you need.” Skyler smiles, so I continue, “It’s for my nephew. I’m his guardian, his parent, but he was initially raised in the sea.”
I make eye contact with the handsome man in glasses, and he seems to hang on my every word. Then, the dude, Razorjaw, asks, “So you, Reed Sung, you were raised on land?”
“Well, we full humans don’t get to live in the ocean,” Skyler retorts. “We kind of need to…you know…breathe.”
Oh crap. They don’t know I’m a monster. Should I tell them now? Will Skyler judge me for being a kraken shifter? Will he like me less for not telling him immediately? Wait, why do I care? I’m not dating him, and at the rate my busy life is going, I never will.
When I recall that I’ve been staring at them in awkward silence for five seconds, a bead of sweat rolls down the back of my neck. My pulse rises, knowing that I haven’t been completely honest with these new associates.
Before I can explain, Razorjaw lifts up his chin and says, “For the sake of professionalism, I need to inform you that I am not interested.”
