“Okay, we see both of you.Alright?We see both of you, great performance—seriously is that real fur?That looks like real fur—HOLY SHIT NO DO NOT COME CLOSER, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU.”
Without anyone around to see him, Ross busted up laughing.Seriously, camera crew.Camera crew had to happen.
“No, see, there’s feet, they’re real—”
“That one doesn’t have feet!”
“He’s on wires or something, it’s fine, they’re just real people in costume—”
“You ain’t convincing when you’re clinging on my back like a koala!”
Ross was still laughing as he entered their breakroom.To his surprise, it was occupied and Ross greeted the woman on the couch.“Hi, Maria.On break too?”
“Yeah.”The witch was tucked in with her water bottle in one hand, phone in the other.She looked up at his entrance and nodded to the fridge.“I snuck in some cold Gatorade too.”
“Thanks, that sounds good.”Ross was admittedly bad about drinking straight water.It just had a boring taste.He preferred something flavored.He chose a fruit punch and sipped at it as he sat on the couch with her.It was a slightly beat up thing they’d borrowed from the werewolves’ Den, squishy and comfortable.He could use ten minutes off his feet.“It seems like the haunted house is going smoothly so far.”
Maria nodded in agreement, but she wore a calculating look.“Every year, we get more people through.I assume it’s word of mouth, since we don’t advertise it much.”
“I really think we should get a camera crew to follow someone through.Put the footage up on YouTube.It’ll be both hysterical and good PR.”
“I don’t see the harm.”Maria waved to indicate the shenanigans around them.“We mostly do this for the fun of it, but it is very lucrative.I think last year’s proceeds is actually what bought our cemetery plot.”
“Is it really?That’s interesting.I’ll mention it to Glenn, then.”
“Ah, yes,” Maria purred as if he’d finally landed on what she really wanted to talk about.“I noticed your cozy little chat with Glenn.”
Ross watched her from the corner of his eye as he took another sip.He had a mother and a sister and that expression was one he knew.And it absolutely wasn’t one to be trusted.
“You’re looking very unapproachable right now.”Maria eyed Ross right back, also sipping at her water.
Ross sipped back.As he was not to be out-sipped.“And yet, here you are.”
“Come on, we’re all curious.We’ve never seen Glenn act like this before.Don’t get me wrong, he liked our previous human assistants, and they were all good at their jobs.But he’s never flirted with them or shown any interest.And you, you do the same job with this deadpan flair and it gets him laughing.Are you not interested?”
Hell yeah, he was interested.Ross dreamed of licking Glenn like a popsicle.Among other things he wouldn’t think about just now because he was in a building with people who possessed very sensitive noses and/or abilities that could pick up on sexual arousal like heavy perfume.
“So, you are interested!”she crowed, smile bouncing onto her face.
Ross had to teach his facial expressions how to use their inside voice.He decided to flip the tables.“Look, say I’m interested.I’m not the only one capable of making a move.You’ll notice Glenn hasn’t.”
“Hmm, I can’t speak for him—he hasn’t confided in me.But it could be he’s taking this slowly for your sake.You haven’t been with us long, after all.And you went through a lot of changes in a short amount of time.”
“It’s true this year has used zero lube.”Ross snorted, remembering all that had happened.“Although life improved when I took the job with the clan.It went absolutely screwy at the same time, but it did improve.You really think he’s just giving me time to get my feet under me?”
“That’s my take on it.Remember, you’re dealing with a man who’s much more mature than anyone you’ve dated.He knows how to play the long game and keep a relationship healthy.”
Now that was a very good point.And Glenn likely didn’t view time in the same way Ross did.One month would be nothing to him.It was also true Glenn became more hands-on with him every day.That moment out in the lobby wasn’t even unique, as Glenn often pulled him in close when they spoke.The interest was definitely there—Ross couldn’t deny that.On both sides.Yet still, he hesitated.Was this wise?
Fear had never stopped Ross before.On the other hand, he’d not had so much to lose, either.As crazy as the clan drove him, he liked being with them.This was easily the best job he’d ever had.Sometimes it was so much fun, he honestly questioned whether he wanted a college degree or not.Part of him would rather just stay here, in this fabulous other-world he’d fallen into.But if he tried for Glenn and it didn’t work out, was Glenn the type to go back to being friends without issue?
Or would Ross lose it all in that one throw of the dice?
“I’m at the end of my break.I better get back to it.”Maria stood, capping the water bottle before tossing it into the large trash can nearby.“But think about it, okay?I think the two of you would be amazing together.”
Ross wistfully wondered if she was right.“I’ll think about it.”
Satisfied, she gave him a smile before exiting the room.
