“Honey.” Posy patted her hand with exaggerated sympathy. “You’ve asked me three times if I’ve seen Ben around town. You literally called me on Tuesday to ask if I knew what kind of cookies he liked.”
Her face heated. “That was research. For… neighborly purposes.”
A deep chuckle rumbled from beside them. Varek, Posy’s orc mate, had been largely silent since they’d arrived, content to nurse his ale and watch the room. Now his rugged green face split into a surprisingly wicked smile.
“Research,” he repeated, his voice like gravel sliding over stone. “Is that what they’re calling it these days?”
“You’re not helping,” she told him.
“Wasn’t trying to.”
She liked Varek, despite his intimidating appearance. He stood nearly seven feet tall, with tusks that jutted from his lower jaw and hands the size of dinner plates, but he looked at Posy like she hung the moon. Every time his mate laughed, his whole facesoftened. It was adorable in a way that made her heart ache with something she refused to call longing.
She hadn’t seen Ben since the night he sang. Ten days of watching his windows for signs of movement and straining to hear music that never came. Somehow he managed to clear her driveway every time it snowed without ever revealing himself. Was he avoiding her?Maybe he’s just busy,she told herself hopefully. He did own a tavern after all.
The tavern she was currently sitting in.
Her eyes swept the room again, searching for tall ears and silver-grey fur among the Friday night crowd.
“He’s not here,” Posy said, reading her mind. “Well—he’s here. But he’s in the back.”
“I wasn’t looking for him.”
“Of course you weren’t.” Posy sipped her drink. “Ben mostly stays in the kitchen these days. Cooks, does the books, and yells at suppliers over the phone. Nina handles front of house.”
“He cooks?”
“Don’t sound so surprised. The male’s got hidden talents.” Posy’s expression turned thoughtful. “Lots of hidden talents, actually.”
Her gaze drifted to the walls, really taking them in for the first time. Concert posters covered nearly every surface—vintage prints and modern designs, bands she recognized and names she’d never heard. A small stage occupied one corner of the room, dusty and unused, a single spotlight hanging dark above it.
“Does anyone ever play here?” she asked. “The stage looks…”
“Abandoned?” Posy finished. “Yeah, that’s because it is. I heard he used to have the occasional band play here but it’s been a while. Kind of a mystery, honestly.”
A mystery. Like everything else about her grumpy neighbor.
She thought about the way he’d sung that night—raw and aching, his voice like velvet and smoke, his fingers moving over the guitar strings like they were an extension of his soul. The memory still made her chest tight, still brought tears to her eyes if she thought about it too long.
“Hi, Posy.” A slender woman with delicate features and calm grey eyes appeared beside them, clutching a notepad to her chest. “Is everything all right with your drinks? Can I get you anything?”
“We’re perfect, Nina,” Posy said warmly. “Sara, this is Nina—she manages this place and keeps Ben from scaring off all the customers.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” She smiled, recognizing something kindred in the woman’s gentle demeanor. “You must have your work cut out for you.”
Nina’s lips twitched. “He’s not so bad once you get used to him. All bark, really.”
“And occasionally bite,” Varek muttered into his ale.
“Only when suppliers try to cheat him.” Nina’s eyes darted towards the kitchen doors. “He’s very particular about quality.”
“Has he ever played?” She gestured towards the abandoned stage. “On that?”
An unreadable expression flickered across Nina’s face before she shook her head. “No. Never. Not since I’ve worked here, anyway. I don’t think music is really his… thing.”
Liar,she thought, but she didn’t push. Everyone had their secrets.
“Well!” A new voice cut through the conversation, bright and teasing. “If it isn’t the famous new teacher everyone’s been talking about.”
