Johnny slapped his arse. “Jesus, put your fangs away, you’re making a scene.”
Taylor frowned. “No, I’m not, I’m—oh.”
He realised then that the two tables had fallen silent, creating an atmospheric void in the restaurant. Johnny’s mouth twitched into a tiny smile as Taylor tried to tuck his fangs away, which was easier said than done when they felt like they were pulsing in his gums.
Wendy slipped between them as they arrived at the table. Maman had placed rose petals everywhere and there was a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket at its centre. “Everything tonight is on the house,” she said, appearing at Taylor’s elbow.
She looked up at him and Johnny, a thin sheen of sweat coating her brow. Taylor smiled back, pulling her into a hug. Squealing, she slipped out of his grip to shake Wendy’s hand and wrap a white cloth around the neck of the champagne bottle. It all looked fancy as shit, and Taylor was beginning to regret not dressing up as an accountant too.
A flush rose high on Wendy’s withered neck as she looked at the table. She swallowed and said, “I haven’t been wined and dined like this for a very long time.”
He and Johnny glanced at each other before Taylor held out an arm and dipped into a deep bow. “Your Highness,” he said, taking her hand and leading her towards the chair.
She wiped a hand across her eyes, giving them a wobbly smile as Johnny held out a chair for her. “Thank you,” she said, bringing a napkin up to her nose and blowing hard.
There was a loud pop as Johnny opened the bottle of champagne, and he flicked the linen napkin over his shoulder like a sexy fucking waiter as he poured Wendy a glass. Honestly, all of Taylor’s cosplay fantasies were coming true in one night.
His fangs popped out again, because it was kind of pissing him off watching Johnny pour a drink for someone who wasn’t him because,actually,Wendy could pour her own fucking drink and all of Johnny’s attention should be on?—
He blinked, realising he was glaring again as Johnny’s eyes flicked back and forth between Taylor and the bottle. “You… want a beer or something?” Johnny said, eyebrows scrunching. Taylor didn’t answer, only stared at the way Johnny’s hand gripped the neck of the bottle, his long fingers sliding up and down the length of it like it was?—
“Taylor?”
Taylor coughed. “Yes. Beer. Beer… fine.”
Johnny laughed, though it had a nervous edge to it. “Okay, caveman,” he said, putting the bottle back in the bucket and running his palms across Taylor’s shoulders. He smiled at the waitstaff, all casual and relaxed as he walked towards the bar, those tight fucking trousers clinging to his arse.
Something cool and smooth slid across the back of Taylor’s hand. “Thank you for this,” Wendy said, patting his knuckles. “I don’t… I haven’t… JP told you about the dates, and the made-up boyfriend, I assume?”
Taylor swallowed, tearing his eyes away from Johnny. “Ah… yeah. To be honest I feel kind of cheated, Wend. I was fully invested in Bob the electrician.”
Wendy laughed. “Plumber. He was a plumber.”
Taylor tipped his head, giving her a sidelong glance. “But was he though?”
“No, he wasn’t! Because he wasn’t real. I made all that shit up so we’d have something to talk about.”
Taylor snorted, leaning back in his chair. “He was real to me.”
Wendy chuckled and took a sip of champagne. “I know, darlin’. Also, HR finally served me my papers. They’re forcing me to retire.”
“Oh shit. Since when?”
Johnny reappeared at the table, placing a bottle of beer in front of him.
Wendy shrugged, dragging the tip of her fingernail across the bright pink blush on one cheek. “Since JP got hurt. I… I’ve been thinking about that day non-stop. I think if I… if I’d have been younger, fitter, you wouldn’t have gotten hurt so badly.”
“Wendy.” Johnny cut her off. “What happened in Applewood Heights is on me. One hundred percent. You warned me and I ignored you.”
“Yeah but… we shouldn’t be afraid to go to places like that, you know? We might police Dingly Heath but we’re still police officers. Like you said, JP, am I police officer or am I just clinging on to this fucking job because it’s all I’ve got?” Wendy picked up her napkin, pressing it to her eyes. “I’m old now, I know that. I think I should just enjoy what little of my life is left.”
She blew her nose again, laughing when the napkin came away covered in black smudges. “Well shit, now I’ve gone and wiped my eyebrows off. I’ll be right back.” She rose slowly from her seat, glancing over at them as she turned in the direction of the toilets. “And if you feel like slipping something into my drink while I’m gone… be my guest.”
Johnny leant back in his chair, taking a swig of champagne. “Date rape jokes before the starters? Jesus, Wendy. Can’t imaginewhyyou’re still single.”
She giggled before kicking off her heels and sliding them under the table. She walked barefoot across the restaurant, running her hands over her face as she disappeared into the toilets.
Taylor let out a breath, letting his eyes fall back to the beer bottle in his hand. “She better find someone that treats her right or I swear to God…”
