“Yes. We used to take rideshares.Karim thought we could trial run being sociable again by hiring a regular to come with us on nights out. Someone we could get to know, that we’d maintain at least a working relationship with.”
“So, you didn’t hire me for my defensive capabilities?” Luis joked.
Julien chuckled. “No, admittedly we were going for a personality hire.”
“But why me?” It was a question Luis had wanted to know for over a year now, but never had the courage to ask.
Julien tilted his head thoughtfully, squeezed his hand. “Oh, that was an easy choice. Do you remember one of the first things you said to me when I interviewed you?” Julien asked.
Luis tried to think back to the interview, but all he remembered was the anxiety. The fear he’d had sitting in front of two vampires for the first time. He hadn’t ever interacted with a vampire prior to that, and he’d been trying to be brave while also terrified because he had no idea what vampires were like or if he’d offend them accidentally. He remembered leaving the interview with the feeling that he’d made a disaster of it.
“No, I don’t,” Luis said.
“I asked you if you had any experience as a chauffeur,” Julien said. “You said you didn’t, but for a year you’d walked your friend home from work every day so she didn’t have to walk alone in the dark. You admitted that you weren’t strong, weren’t a trained fighter, but you’d have done whatever it took to protect her if something had happened. You said you’d do the same in this position.”
Luis didn’t remember that, or at least not something as elegantly put as that. But the story was true, he had walked to the grocery every night when Cassie got off so he could walk her home.
“We did quite a few interviews, but I kept coming back to your answer,” Julien said. He looked lost in the memory. Luis couldn’t look away from his face. “How passionately you spoke about Cassie. I could tell you were nervous, but you clearly wanted the job. I don’t know. You had this earnestness about you. I knew we needed someone Karim could learn to trust; someone I could relinquish some control to. Someone who wouldn’t try to sell us out, or put us in danger.”
“I wouldnever,” Luis said seriously.
“I know. You’ve never faltered,” Julien said softly.
“I really thought I bombed that interview,” Luis said. “I remember getting into an argument with Karim.”
That startled a laugh out of Julien. “Oh yes, you disagreed that bars in Greensfield had better music than Harris.”
“The bars in Harrisdohave better music, Greensfield panders too much to the country crowd,” Luis said defensively.
Julien laughed again. “Believe it or not, arguing with Karim also worked in your favor.”
“I was so embarrassed afterward,” Luis confessed. “I don’t even know what came over me, arguing with him like that. I didn’t even know him.”
Julien hummed. “Well, it landed better than the flattery some people tried.”
“Really?” That surprised him.
“Mhm,” Julien said. “I don’t care for flattery, especially from strangers. Often it comes with strings.”
“Italwayscomes with strings,” Karim corrected, striding in. “Especially when it comes to Jules. I mean, you see his face. People lose their minds trying to get into his good graces.” Karim rolled his eyes as he dropped down onto the opposite couch.
“Oh, hush,” Julien said, but it was affectionate.
“It’s true. Sometimes I have to beat them off with a bat,” Karim said.
“He’s never beaten anyone with a bat,” Julien said to Luis.
“Only because my fists did the job better,” Karim said with a grin.
Luis couldn’t help the laugh. Julien was making a disapproving tutting noise, but Karim looked pleased with himself.
Karim shrugged. “What? Sometimes violenceisthe answer.”
Luis couldn’t even disagree. He only vaguely remembered Karim taking care of Eric, but he couldn’t say he was upset the man had gotten roughed up.
“Anyway,” Julien said loudly.
“Yeah, anyway. So, Luis, are you going to let Jules bite you?” Karim looked between the two of them with interest.
