He nods and starts mixing, his hands moving with an efficiency that reflects years of practice. I lean against the bar and let my eyes drift back to the dance floor. As I watch the people sway and laugh and lose themselves in the music, I wonder if there are others here like me, trying to do anything but think because thinking hurts too much.
The bartender slides my cocktail across to me. I take a sip, and the burn is immediate and welcome, chasing away thoughts I don’t want to entertain.
I take another sip and start moving back onto the dance floor. Maybe if I dance until my legs give out, I’ll be too tired to dream tonight.
But as I take a step, my heel catches on something—someone’s foot or a raised edge in the floor, I’m not sure. I stumble sideways, arms windmilling for balance, and my entire drink sloshes out over the rim of the glass. It splashes across someone’s shirt in a dramatic arc of amber liquid.
“Oh god, I’m so sorry!” The words tumble out as I reach forward automatically, trying to dab at the wet stain spreading across the person’s chest with my bare hands like that’ll somehow help.
“Anne?”
My hand freezes on the damp fabric. I blink and look up. “David?”
He looks just as surprised to see me. “Anne! What are you doing here?”
I pull my hand back, mortified. “I’m so sorry about your shirt.”
He ignores my words and grins. “Come on. Let’s catch up over a drink.
Before I know it, his hand is on the small of my back, and he’s nudging me toward the bar. We settle onto stools, and David orders for both of us.
“I’m surprised to see you here,” he says, turning slightly on his stool to face me. “Didn’t know you partied in the human district.”
“I’m trying it out.” I gesture vaguely at the space around us. “My friend Violet was always pretty comfortable in this part of the city, and we went out dancing around here one time. I think I like it. It’s pretty freeing. Humans sure know how to party. Even on a Monday night!”
“That they do.” David chuckles. “I’ve been stationed back at HQ for the past month, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned working in the Department of Human–Supernatural Relations, it’s that humans definitely know how to have a good time. I enjoy this club in particular, actually. Made a lot of human friends here over the years.”
We chat about nothing in particular for a while, and then a brief silence hangs between us before he speaks again.
“So, are you here with somebody?” He looks around, and I shake my head.
“No, I just wanted to see what this place was like,” I respond, suddenly wanting to get away.
His smile widens. “You’ve changed. Hard to believe you’re out here checking out clubs.”
I try to smile, but it comes out as a grimace. “Yes, well…”
Our drinks arrive, and I hesitate. “I was actually on my way out, David.” I get up. “Maybe we can catch up some other time.”
Before I can leave, he grabs my wrist gently. I face him directly and notice that he looks nervous. “Um, are you—are you seeing anyone special these days?”
I pause before shaking my head. The motion hurts more than I care to admit.
He pulls me toward him slightly till I’m standing between his knees and asks, “I know you always say no every time I ask you out, but do you think there’s a chance it will be a yes this time?”
I want to say no. It makes sense to say no. I am somebody else’s fated mate. Except…
Except my fated mate doesn’t want me.
So, doesn’t it make sense for me to agree to this? How else will I move on from Kain?
David’s a good person. He’s been pursuing me on and off for the past four years, the only guy who hasn’t given up. Maybe…Maybe we can have something real.
I find myself saying a quiet, “Yes.”
His whole face lights up. The transformation is instant and complete. “Really? How about dinner Thursday?”
“That works.”
