I ask Leif if he wants to meet me there or if he wants to walk together. He suggests meeting around the corner from the hotel so we can walk together but not be seen by any of the crew or the band.
I won’t lie. That stings, even if I know why he doesn’t want us seen. I’m just getting tired of hiding. All I do is hide, even when I’m in front of thousands of people in an arena. I’m still hiding.
Of course, I agree, though. I shift into my human form, get dressed, and head out. Leif is already waiting when I get there, looking hot as fucking hell in black slacks and a black button up with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, showing off his tattoos and muscled forearms.
“Nice pants,” he says.
I glance down at my maroon pants and smirk at him. “They’re my favorite.”
“Because of the color?”
“They’re stretchy.”
His eyes widen and he nods. “Always a bonus.”
We start walking toward the restaurant, which is only a few blocks away—but these are the biggest blocks I’ve ever seen, and the crowd is so thick we constantly dodge people, so it takes us more time than I thought it would.
They ask for the name on the reservation before letting us inside the building. The guy at the podium doesn’t bat an eye when I give him my name, and I don’t know if that’s because he was trained that way or he doesn’t know who I am. If he was, wouldn’t he wonder why I’m human and not a kraken?
We’re let through and shown to the private elevator that’ll take us up to the top floor. It’s not the tallest in the area, but not the shortest either. I can imagine it will have a good view. The photos were really nice.
“Have you ever been to something like this before?” I ask.
“Yeah, but never so high. Should be fun.”
“Sure.”
“Sure? You’re not scared, are you?” he asks with narrowed eyes.
“Scared? No. Nervous, a little. I’m used to being in the ocean where gravity doesn’t quite work the way it does here. You know… because of buoyancy and all.”
Leif laughs. “Don’t worry. I won’t let you fall off the edge.” He winks.
The doors open and we’re greeted by a woman in a tight red dress, her blonde hair wavy and pulled to one side.
“Good evening, Mr. Anson. Please, come this way.”
Leif and I share an impressed look as we follow after her. She leads us between tables and up a few steps to reach another side of the bar. Most tables are full, people laughing and smiling. Eating and drinking. The seats at both bars are full of people, the bartenders hard at work making and serving fancy-looking drinks.
We’re led to the very back of the space, to a table set for two next to a fence decorated with vines and small white flowers. I can’t tell if they’re real or fake.
“I’m glad we’re not right up against the railing,” I say as we sit.
The hostess winks at me.
“Your waiter will be over soon. Enjoy your evening, gentlemen.”
My gaze meets Leif’s, who’s looking at me in a way I haven’t seen from him before. I can’t explain what it is. Happiness mixed with… something. Not quite lust, but…something.
“So, I have a favor to ask,” I say carefully.
His brow raises in question.
“What’s that?”
“I need to start looking at houses.”
He huffs a laugh. “Right. That makes sense.” Is that disappointment in his voice? No, why would that be? “Okay. What were you thinking?”
