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It reminded me of the way the sun glinted off the wet sand when I was at the bottom of the water, scattering itself across the seafloor.

I should leave right now, I thought. It’s a waste of time talking to him.

“I’m…Evel–” I caught my words before they came out. Giving my real name wasn't an issue when I planned on killing them, but I had no intention of doing that, at least I thought. “Evie. I’m Evie.”

Shit, why did I say that? The hell am I doing?

Ethan smiled. “Nice to meet you, Evie.”

I pulled my hand back, placing it in my lap. “Charmed,” I said. Part of me still didn't believe what I was feeling, or rather what I wasn't feeling.

The hunger was starting to gnaw at me, but my curiosity was keeping it at bay for now, and I found myself wanting to keep this little game going. “You know, it takes a lot of guts to come over to someone you don't know. You’re either brave or really stupid.”

Ethan's face burned red almost immediately, which surprised me. He was either an incredible actor or actually embarrassed. It was kind of endearing, considering my last few encounters with men were Jake McKinney and Layne Murrows. I stopped myself from wincing at the thought of them.

“Oh, yeah…you think so?” he said, smiling coyly. “Let’s go with super brave, then.” His face betrayed him, and I could see his mind searching for his next words. “I actually almost chickened out and didn’t come over at all, so I mean, it’s practically heroic,” he said, scratching the back of his sandy blonde hair.

I tried to stifle a laugh, but it forced its way out, and his tightly raised shoulders settled themselves a little lower as he grinned back at me.

“That’s a pretty cool name—Evie. I’ve never heard that before,” Ethan said.

Well, thank god for that, I thought.

“It's weirdly unique, but not like…what the fuck weird, or anything.” His eyes widened, and he laughed nervously.

I could see his mind overthinking every word he said. After all my years behind the counter at Dad’s shop, I could read anyone’s body language like a book.

Raising my eyebrow, I feigned annoyance. “Weird? Oh, so you think I’m uniquely weird, then?” I said, pitching my voice higher than normal.

Ethan's eyes bulged, and he practically stumbled over himself to correct it. “No!” he shouted, looking around at the staring customers. He rubbed the back of his head again, but all it did was make his hair more untamed and wiry. “I just meant…it’s a really pretty name, and you’re really pretty, so that’s—and I—I just…wanted to say hello.” He pressed his eyes shut and rubbed his temple. “Sorry, I shouldn't have bothered you. I'll–I’ll go now.”

And I thought I had problems…

Whether it was his charming smile, handsome face, or the fact that he was a total enigma void of darkness, I reached out and grabbed his arm as he tried to leave.

“Sit,” I said. “I appreciate it, really.”

Ethan hesitated, but finally took a seat across from me.

See, no magic necessary, I thought, realizing that this was the first normal interaction since I’d died.

I laughed under my breath.

“What’s so funny?” Ethan asked, squirming awkwardly in his seat.

I shook my head. “Nothing, you’re just weirdly unique, yourself,” I replied, brows raised.

Ethan smiled, finally seeming to relax. “See, now if I acted offended by that, then I would be admitting guilt for calling you weird. I’m not falling for that trap.” He laughed. “I’m not only heroically brave, but I’m a lot smarter than I look.”

Quick. Nervous, but quick. Funny. What’s his angle…

I tilted my head, my voice dry but playful. “The bar was low, but sure. You cleared it. I’ll allow it…this time.”

We laughed and smiled back at each other, and something fluttered in my chest, but I caught myself and wiped away the grin, righting myself in my chair.

What the hell am I doing?

We sat in silence for a moment, and I couldn't stop myself from watching him, studying his movements. The way he fidgeted with his hands like a nervous tic under the table, or the furrowing of his brow, like he was racing to get ahead of every possible scenario that could play out.