He looked from the machine to the growing line of customers. ‘Office Daddy’—who was actually named Holt—wouldn’t ask Dex out.He was hot, older, worked in insurance, and always wore a stylish suit and glasses, hence the nickname Justine had given him.
Holt had been a regular at Seaside Coffee for months. He was admittedly flirty, but Dex didn’t get the impression it was more than that. Besides, he couldn’t have been feeling it any less today if he tried.
The line progressed steadily, and Dex turned his full attention to the stream of orders, losing himself in the familiarity of it all.
“Dex.” Holt smiled as he moved away from the register to wait for his coffee. “Don’t often see you on a Monday.”
Dex smiled reflexively. “Right? It’s throwing me off.”
Holt’s gaze dragged over Dex in a way that usually felt good. “I’ll take it as a good sign. My week must be looking up.”
The familiar ego boost didn’t hit. Dex laughed awkwardly and turned toward the coffee grinder.
Not feeling itwas right. Holt’s comments had never put him off-balance before.
Maybe Holt sensed Dex’s discomfort because he didn’t say anything else until thanking him for his coffee before leaving.
As Dex kept pace with the incoming orders, he imagined Holt making a move, asking for his number, or saying he wanted to take Dex to dinner.
Not a hint of excitement stirred.
Why was that? Holt was Dex’s type, and a hookup would be hot, no doubt about it, but Dex had no desire to go on a date with the man. Suddenly, he wasn’t any more open to the idea of a relationship than he’d been before.
Hadn’t Dex decided he was ready to get back out there? Why did the temptation ofmoreseem to be exclusive to one objectively terrible man?
It must be too soon to try again. Once Dex recovered fromthe shock of who Luc was—never mind the shock of magic existing—he’d be all for dates with hot older guys with arms that looked like they could bench-press him…or other things. If Dex figured out how to ask.
On his break, Dex collapsed onto a worn couch in the staff area with a coffee. He checked his phone, surprised to find he’d been added to a new group chat by Onyx of all people. Or should he say of all demons?
Dex hardly remembered talking to Onyx yesterday, other than exchanging numbers at Ollie’s insistence. Everything after seeing Luc with horns and wings was a blur.
He opened the chat.
Your Favorite Group Chat:
Dex Colt has been added.
Onyx:
Welcome, Dex. You’re now part of the cool crowd.
Harper:
Dex is here? Isn’t this a mates chat?
Onyx:
It’s your favorite group chat. See the name change? Besides, you don’t see Nico here, do you?
Harper:
No, but he’s your mate.
Anyway. Welcome, Dex!
Ollie:
Yay! This is so much better. Now Dex can join our food tour.
