I pushed the irrelevant memory aside. A little nagging doubt in my mind wondered if Cobalt had picked me as the winner as a kind of apology, and the gift basket was just the cherry on top of it. The dragons always went above and beyond in their hospitality. It made me dread going back to the real world and dealing with my not-so-extravagant life.
I glanced at the basket. Curiosity got the best of me and I dug into it, dumping its contents on the bed.
“Whoa,” I breathed.
There was so much to look at, I didn’t know where to begin. High-quality chocolates, assorted gift cards in $100 increments, pure beeswax candles, luxury brand coffee beans, fancy lip balm, a bottle of aged red wine, expensive-looking lotion from a brand I’d never heard of... It was overwhelming.
But the best thing of all was a huge handmade dragon plushie in the same shade of blue as Cobalt’s hair.
I reeled. Everything must’ve cost a fortune. I couldn’t leave any of these generous offerings behind. But how was I going to make room for it all? My suitcase was already full of clothes, so that only left my meagre backpack.
And more importantly, where the hell was I gonna put it when I went back to the city? It wasn’t like I had a home anymore.
My rush of excitement was dampened by reality. I bit my lip, feeling guilty. I didn’t want to reject Cobalt’s kind offering, but I didn’t want all the expensive items to go to waste in a back alley somewhere.
No way. These were Cobalt’s gifts. I was determined to make it work. The gift cards and lip balm were easy enough to stash in my pocket. I’d light the candles, slather the lotion on myself, and eat the chocolate during the trip. I was feeling peckish anyway. I’d snag a bite before the date.
What about the wine, coffee, and plushie?
Especially the plushie. I gazed into his little embroidered eyes. I couldn’t abandon that face.
I could always leave behind some clothes to make everything fit. After all, who needs pants when you have a giant blue dragon plushie?
* * *
I was instructedto meet Cobalt on the beach at twilight. After snacking on expensive chocolate, I’d put on my best outfit for the date—which wasn’t saying much because it was the only T-shirt and pair of jeans I had without holes in them—and left the hotel.
When I reached the shore, I noticed a lone figure by the water, as well as the lurking camera crew. They were on standby to record our date.
Right. Not only was this my first date ever in the history of my existence, but it would all be caught on film and broadcasted to a huge audience.
No pressure.
Cobalt stood facing the ocean. Behind him, the sky was a living watercolor painted in beautiful strokes of pink, orange, and violet. The water reflected the gorgeous colors as it ebbed and flowed at Cobalt’s feet.
The sight of him gave me pause. Even from a distance, he was sobig. It wasn’t just his physicality, either. My shifter side sensed the behemoth dragon lurking within him. I’d seen it once for a brief moment during the first closing ceremony, and I hadn’t forgotten it since. Cobalt’s massive dragon form made the rest of his brothers look like skittering wall geckos.
As if sensing me, Cobalt suddenly turned around. His stoic face lit up, his smile softening his ruggedly handsome expression.
My chest squeezed. He’d mentioned looking forward to our date, but man, he seemed genuinely happy to see me.
I grinned in return and waved. Then I realized with a mounting sense of awkwardness that I didn’t know what to do. Should I wait for him to approach me, or should I meet him where he stood? What was the right thing to do on a date?
In the span of time that I uselessly deliberated, Cobalt had already reached my side. I craned my neck back to meet his gaze.
“Hi,” I said in an unintended squeak.
“Good evening.” Cobalt kept smiling. “I’m glad you made it.”
“Course I did. The only thing that would’ve kept me away was if I fell in the toilet or something.”
Cobalt’s thick brows rose. “Are the toilets in the hotel too big for you? Just say the word and I’ll arrange for a smaller one,” he said seriously.
I chuckled. “No, no, I was joking. Thanks, though.”
Cobalt relaxed, then offered his huge hand. “All right. Are you ready for dinner?”
Oh.
