I shake my head. “Shot of the honey liquor, please.”
“Bit early for shots?” There’s a crease between her eyebrows.
I’ve barely aged, but she has. I’ve wasted twenty years staying away. I still like her as much as I did the first time, I saw her. She was a waitress, and when she looked at me, I knew she was my one. That it was time for me to stop hunting, claim her and take her home.
But back then I’d still been swept up in the thrill of the hunt and the glory of riding. I’d listened to Shay talk about never going home and believed that this was the best life, better than faery. So I’d let him talk me into waiting a few years.
I’d been a fool.
“Feels right.” I want to forget Shay and the way he made sure I wouldn’t leave by claiming her. I’d like to forget Lindsay and move on, find another, but I don’t think that’s possible or it would’ve happened by now.
She pours the shot and golden liquid fills the small glass.
“Drink with me?”
She considers me for a moment. Eyes bright and a quirk to her lips that too often flattens to a line these days. “Just one. I don’t want them to think I’m celebrating.”
“No one would think that. You’ve drunk with us before to mourn a loss.”
“This is different.”
I put my hands on the counter and lean over. “Are you celebrating?”
She laughs and pours a second shot. “No. I stopped giving a shit about Shay years ago.”
“Then why didn’t you lift the ban?”
“Because I wanted him to know what it’s like to miss out on something.” She puts the bottle down. “I’m not sure he cared. I built a place on spite.”
I draw in a breath and risk putting my hand over hers. “No one thinks that. We love the café and what it means. It’s a second home, a place where we can let our guard down and talk.”
She smiles, but it’s tired. “I’ve seen too many die.”
“Same.” I lift the shot glass.
She lifts hers and taps them together. Liquor splashes on my finger, then we drink. Sweetness and heat fill my mouth, my throat, my belly, and finally my veins. I breathe out and put down the shot glass.
“Why are you still here, Daire? Why haven’t you gone home?”
I lift my gaze to hers. How can I tell her the truth?
“I’m not ready.” But I am. I want her. I want to take her to faery and grow old with her. I don’t have another twenty years to waste. Human lives are too short. I force a smile. “I need to find a woman who wants me.”
“Women line up for you lot.”
“I don’t want just anyone.” Some riders don’t care, they aren’t prepared to wait, but I want the one that quickens my heartbeat and makes my blood sing.
She doesn’t look away.
“Do you remember when we first met?” I push, knowing that I’m edging out onto a very thin tree branch that could break and send me crashing to the ground at any moment.
Lindsay nods. “You and him, you kept flirting with me.”
“Yeah.” I should’ve taken her that night, she’d have hated me though. “But you flirted back.”
“Then you left, and only Shay came back.” Her smile fades. “He was quiet and sweet and a total liar.” She pours two more shots.
I’m all in now. “He knew I liked you.”
