“For one thing, this stall is way too cramped. And for another—this is thewomen’srestroom!”
“So?”
“So!So—”
But before you can finish, the door creaks as someone walks in. You slap your hand over his mouth, hoping the innocent bathroom-goer won’t look down and notice the extra pair of feet in your stall.
Fortunately, they’re fast.
Whoever they are must just have been checking their makeup, because they stop briefly at the sink, wash their hands, and head out again.
You let out a long breath as soon as the door shuts and you’re alone with Hot Book Boyfriend again.
“How did you even get in here!?” You ask.
The stall is entirely too cramped, and certainly not meant for two people. But he just leans back against the door, smirking casually.
Infuriatingly casually.
Overhead, the lights flicker. For a second, the bathroom is plunged into complete darkness. Then they come back on.
He glances up, muttering something under his breath that sounds like a swear word.
“Excuse me,” you say, suddenly starting to feel quite a bit nervous. “But you’re blocking the exit. And I have a date to get back to.”
“Wait.” Hot Book Guy folds his arms like he has no intention of letting you through. Glancing up at the ceiling lights as they flicker again, he says, “You should forget this whole thing and come back with me right now.”
“Why?”
“Because. I don’t know who you think he is, but your date out there is no mortal man. He’s one ofmykind.”
You shiver. That kind of explains all the weird feelings you were getting.
“And what exactlyisyour kind?”
Overhead, the lights flicker again.
Then go out.
From out in the restaurant, you hear the muffled sounds of someone screaming.
Mysterious Hot Book Guy swears.
“Stay put,” he growls, opening the door—which is a feat in itself, considering how packed into the stall you are, and that the door opens inward.
He squeezes around it and into the darkness beyond.
Stay put? Heck, no! You’re not about to be left alone in a dark bathroom stall, so you follow him out.
The main door swings open, and you freeze. There in the frame is a gigantic, glowing blue figure. He’s so huge, he’d have to duck to fit.
“So we meet again at last,” growls the low voice of your suddenly very ex-date.
He’s barely recognizable. Now his entire body is engulfed in glowing blue light, and there’s no trace of his perfectly manicured illusion left. And now you’re certain that’s what it was.
An illusion.
Even his English accent is gone.
