Page 23 of A Siren Song for Christmas

“He’s lucky you want to date him!” Cas said, voice fierce.

Trent smiled and leaned against Cas. “That is kind of you to say.”

“It is not kind!” Cas’s spine straightened. “I am telling the truth!”

“Well, thank you all the same.”

Cas frowned. “But did you say he doesn’t like the Christmas markets?”

“Customers,” Lacy said in a sing-song voice. A large group of fire demons approached the stall. “But I want to hear more later!” She pointed at Trent as she went to serve.

“You are wonderful and deserve all the good things! Remember that.” Then Cas gave Trent a squeeze and went to serve.

“Good afternoon. I’m Cas, the Christmas pixie.” He waved a hand over himself. Today, Cas dressed in silver from head to toe. He looked very much like the self-proclaimed Christmas pixie. “How can I help you?”

Trent turned to a tall fire demon, ready to serve. But despite Cas’s assurances, Trent’s stomach still squirmed as he thought about his date.

Chapter

Thirteen

Trent entered the emporium. His heart lodged firmly in his throat. “Good evening, Mr Marin.”

Mr Marin stood at the counter. He looked up. “Good evening, Mr Berry.”

“Trent.”

Mr Marin raised a slender brow.

“You can call me Trent.” He approached the counter. “That’s my first name, and since we’re…” He trailed off. “I figured you could use my first name now.”

Mr Marin inclined his head. “Trent.”

Trent smiled, pleased to hear his name in Mr Marin’s dulcet voice.

“Then you should also call me by my first name. It’s Malachi.”

Malachi. Malachi Marin.Trent rolled the name around in his head. It suited the stunning siren.

“I know it’s still a few minutes before you close,” Trent said. “But I figured I still needed to get the elothea seeds. And if you need to do anything before closing, I can just wait around. As long as I’m not in your way, of course. If I am, I can leave for a little bit.” Trent pointed at the door behind him.

Although, he really didn’t know where he’d go. But he figured he should offer. He didn’t want to be in the way. That would be a poor start to a date.

And he really wanted this date to go perfectly. He wanted there to be a second. And a third. And many, many more.

Mr Marin… Malachi reached beneath the counter and lifted the elothea grass. “You will not be in the way.”

“Oh. Good.” Trent watched as Malachi picked, examined, and packaged the elothea seeds.

Trent counted out the coins and placed them on the counter. He pocketed the package. He fidgeted, uncertain what to do next. “Do you need any help with closing?”

“No, thank you.” Malachi shook his head. “I have already tended to all my plants. I just need to do a few more things and we can go to the Christmas markets.”

“All right.”

Malachi moved around the room, extinguishing lanterns. Trent tried not to bounce on the spot.

Malachi switched the sign to closed. Then he walked towards a tank where a big yellow flower grew. Trent approached.