Page 9 of Maneater

I click on the notification, and the screen opens to the Network chat room.

Booty: I need everyone to turn in their final requests for the event.

I’m glad he’s brought the subject up. When I was making my list, a few questions came to mind.

Howl4U: Can I bring an extra table this year? I was thinking about holding a big raffle.

Booty: Whatever you can fit in a ten-by-ten space.

LilChu: Are you still taking preorders? And do you make stuff for lizards?

I’m surprised Lil has any pets. He’ll suck the blood out of anything if it stands still long enough. I don’t hang around many chupacabras for that very reason.

Howl4U: How big of a lizard are we talking about? And do you need a harness, clothes…?

LilChu: Asking for a friend. I’ll find out.

Booty: Can you guys discuss lizard wardrobes on your own time? I want to keep this thread on topic. Solstice logistics only.

LilChu: Sorry! Just popped into my head. You know how I am. Squirrel brain.

Booty: I don’t want to talk about squirrels.

LilChu: Okaaay…

Booty: Can we get back to the subject at hand?

From there, the chat continues with other monsters joining in, and before I know it, an hour has gone by. But at least I have a clearer picture of my responsibilities at the event, and what I need to bring.

Right as we’re saying our goodbyes, there’s a tap at the door.

“Yeah?” I call out.

Gavin sticks his head in the office. “Your three o’clock applicant just canceled.”

I sigh. That’s the third cancellation this week. At this rate, I’ll be working the front desk around the clock all summer. It’ll be a helluva mess if I can’t get away for the solstice. I hate letting people down.

“How many others have applied?”

Gavin winces. “None.”

Shit. Why didn’t I offer Darien a place to stay when I had the chance? Stupid move. I shouldn’t have let him get away. I tense. In a purely professional way, of course.

“Okay, I’ll place another ad.” I snap my fingers. “Oh, and can you take some flyers down to the Bait and Coffee Shack on your way home tonight?”

“Sure, boss.”

After Gavin leaves, I open the accounting software that I’m terrible at using, but my mind keeps drifting. As it is, I can barely decide which expense categories to place items in, but now I have a pesky distraction.

Darien. And a human of all things. Why be so fixated on a job applicant who isn’t a good candidate? Who cares, right?

Being attracted to him is to be expected. He’s cute as fuck. But I can never follow through because of our different worlds. I honestly can’t fathom why any human would want to hitch their wagon to a monster. Only heartache and a potential monster PR disaster could come from such a union.

Maybe if I remind myself of that awful truth and repeat it in my head like a mantra a hundred times a day, I’ll quit thinking about him.

Good luck with that.

I let out a small growl. I either need to take a vow of celibacy or get laid. Maybe instead of worrying about having a date at the solstice, I could find one there. Trouble is, I’m not the hook-up type. Go figure.