“Reed!”
“Skyler.” He smiles and sticks out his hand. It’s no hug, but we’re still only professional colleagues, so I give his hand a firm shake, up and down with vigor.
“So glad you could make it!”
“I apologize for the tardiness.” He plays with his watch, a dark band that matches his black, form-fitting blazer. His outfit makes his shoulders pop and his waist shrink?what a sexy, well-dressed dude. “I was trying to get this one to take a shower.”
He nudges his head behind him, and that’s when I notice another person. A skinny, Asian boy stands in the doorway, looking around curiously at our massive lobby. He’s like a tinier version of Reed, equipped with shaggy black hair. This must be the nephew!
I smile and cheerfully say, “Nice to meet you! I’m Skyler.”
The kid looks around for a few moments, then finally settles his eyes on me. “Aisen.”
I stick out my hand, and he gives it the briefest shake before gazing around at everything again. When I glance at Reed, he’s giving me an apologetic smile. “He’s my nephew, the one I told you about.”
“Ah! Well, it’s an honor to meet a family of maritime monsters.” I grin, but the boy only meets my eyes for a moment before looking over my shoulder.
“Mhm,” he says.
“Are you excited to join the monster liaison program? Our homies at the OME are funding it, and we’d love to have you and your uncle here.”
“I guess,” the boy replies as nonchalantly as possible. He shrugs and shoves his hands into his hoodie pockets. I recall being that surly as a teenager, so it doesn’t surprise me too much.
After a long, awkward pause, I clap my hands for no reason. “How about food?”
“Hm?” Reed asks, and Aisen looks at me as well.
“There’s plenty of refreshments from the event. Come on.” I beckon the pair to follow me as we walk across the lobby. Everyone is milling about and chatting, and it feels like we can blend in with the crowd.
“We’re sorry we couldn’t get here earlier,” Reed says.
“Don’t mention it.”
“The turnout looks great. All of these photos look amazing.” Reed points at the large photos of manta rays adorning part of the lobby.
“Don’t they? I love a good photo shoot. I’m so happy for my buddy, Karlo. And the Institute as well.” I beam at him as we arrive at the snack table. Aisen promptly grabs several chocolate cookies while Reed and I casually pick up small cups of white wine.
“Your friend works here?” Reed asks. He takes a sip, and I don’t miss how chiseled his neck is as he drinks.
“Yup. My two best friends, really my only friends, all work here. We’re huge maritime monster nerds.” I chuckle, and Reed smiles.
“I think it’s great that there are so many marine life researchers nearby,” Reed says.
“It’s kind of my passion; rehabilitating creatures and organizing research to protect aquatic habitats. It’s not a big effort when you love it.” I shrug, and he laughs.
“It’s extremely noble. Making the oceans a better place.” He shakes the wine in his cup. “I bet all the fish fall in love with you.”
We laugh, and maybe it’s the wine talking, but Reed seems to eye me with curiosity. He might be genuinely impressed by me and my profession.Blush.
“You’ll be an important asset for my nephew here.” Reed points behind me, and I turn to see Aisen stuffing his face with cookies. For a fleeting moment, I forgot that we were in public.
The kid freezes, as if he’s in trouble, and I can’t help but snicker. “There’s a lot we’d love to teach you and learn from you. What kind of shifter are you, if I may ask?”
Aisen wipes his mouth on his sleeve and swallows the food. He looks behind me to his uncle, almost asking for permission. After Reed nods, Aisen shoves his hands in his pockets again. “I’m, uh…I have like, tentacles.”
“Ah, a cephalopod!” I shift up my glasses. “Fascinating.”
“I guess,” he says in that meek tone that teenagers use when they’re not comfortable.
