Page 79 of Candy Hearts, Vol. 2

CHAPTER 4

ARDSLEY

“We should probably get our stories straight.” Tyson’s voice pulls me out of my nervous haze. “I mean, not straight. Obviously. Our date, how we met, or whatever.” He smiles a handsome grin, and I try not to panic.

We’re walking up the concrete steps to the MM Institute main entrance. Tyson, of course, looks delectable: his braids over his scalp are perfect, and his arms look huge in the pristine black suit. I’m so out of my depth and out of my league that I’m rendered a nervous wreck. My hands shake as we walk, and I adjust my tie. Even though this is a fake date, I want to impress the gorgeous man next to me.

“We can just, um…” I can’t muster up a proper response as I hold open the metal door. I was so blindsided by him coming to my house and hanging out with Dad that I forgot to craft us an appropriate fake story. Watching him get along with my most important family member had my heart buzzing. I know we just met, but a huge part of me wants to kiss him and make this thing real.

Fat chance a guy like him would want me.

“We can say…” My words are cut off by my boss charging up to me.

“Good, you’re here, Ardsley.” My boss approaches us in a scarlet blazer and matching skirt with her ID badge around her neck. Her energetic walk in high heels makes her blonde hair almost flap like the busy-bee she is.

“Emma!” I clear my throat and glance at Tyson, then back to her. “This is my uh?—”

“Ardsley, I need your help. The others are setting up the gaming machines, but can you bring down the door prizes from my office? I need to double-check on the music.” She taps her clipboard, barely looking at me.

“Um, sure.” I cringe and turn to Tyson. “Do you mind?”

“I’d love to help you,” he replies, beaming at me. Of course, he would. He’s so helpful and good-looking, there’s gotta be a catch.

Ten minutes later, we’re done lugging down boxes to the main lobby area. Multiple stations have been set up with red plastic tablecloths, and as far as the eye can see, Valentine’s Day decor coats the walls. Some of my colleagues are setting up large TV screens for video games, as well as their own prize stations. Down one hallway, the café is setting up the dinner, while in the other direction is the entrance to the aquarium proper. Patrons are beginning to pour in, and I’m satisfied to see families come out for the fundraiser.

I turn to gaze at my hot fake-date emptying the cardboard boxes. “Thanks for helping.”

“It’s the least I could do for my date.” He winks and begins to fold the shirts.

“I’m…I’m not your…” I shake my head and smile. I’m sure my cheeks are burning, and I hope my gills aren’t sprouting.

“Hey, if you’re gonna sell it to your coworkers, we’re gonna have to get used to it.”

My mouth goes dry seeing his hopeful and sexy smile. “At least for one night,” he adds.

My heart deflates. Duh . This is a limited-time-only sort of deal. We’re strangers after all.

“It’s gonna be great.” Tyson pats my shoulder and gives it a squeeze. I feel a spark pass between us, an attraction deep in my core.

“Ah!” Tyson hisses and steps back. Shit, that spark was real.

“OhmygodI’msosorry,” I say, lifting up my hands.

“Nah, it’s…” He shakes out his hands like he doesn’t understand what happened.

“Shit, did I hurt you?”

“No, it was like…static shock.” He stares at his palms, then looks up at me. “You did that?”

“I am…” I bite my lip and look away. Mortified doesn’t begin to describe it. “I’m so sorry,” I mutter. This is further proof that I can’t date anyone, let alone a good-looking human guy.

“It’s cool. It’s what I get for going on a date with an eel-shifter.” He laughs, and I stare at him, dumbfounded.

“Um, what?”

“It’s pretty interesting that you can make your own electrical charge. It’s kinda dangerous, but…” He leans forward and caresses my elbow. “Some dudes like danger. Danger can be kind of sexy,” he says in a growly tone.

Oh my monster god, what is my life right now?

Before I can ask him to elaborate, he breaks away and I spot two figures approaching us.

“Ardsley!”

My two best friends Karlo and Skyler stand in front of our table, each dressed in their suits. While they were busy earlier, it seems their event set-ups are complete and they’ve now decided to chat with me. Their eyes dart to Tyson, then back to me, each exchanging intrigued looks with me.

“Hey, man,” Karlo says.

“What, uh…what’s up?” Skyler asks with an amused grin.

I roll my eyes. “Guys, this is my date. Tyson, these are my friends.”

Tyson smiles and cordially waves at them. Meanwhile, my two coworkers beam at me. They seem so shocked; Karlo is Filipino and Skyler is of Polish descent, but they act like they’ve never seen a black guy before.

“It’s very, very good to meet you,” Skyler says, pushing up his glasses. “Ardsley, where’ve you been hiding this guy?”

My mouth hangs open, but Tyson steps forward. “We’re fairly new.”

“Clearly,” Karlo says, rubbing his tiny goatee. “How’d you guys meet?”

“We um…we…” I stammer, but Tyson touches my arm to get me to stop.

“It’s a funny story. I recently started going to the gym across the street,” Tyson says.

“Ah!” My friends say at the same time.

“And my dumbass thought his locker was mine. So I ended up messing up all his stuff. We were both wet from the shower, and he, in no uncertain terms, told me I was wrong,” Tyson says.

My friends laugh. “That’s hilarious!” Karlo remarks.

“Then, as an apology, I asked if he wanted lunch.” Tyson turns and wraps his arm around my shoulder. “That’s how I nabbed a handsome monster like this guy.”

“Aw, so cute,” Skyler remarks.

My cheeks burn, not just from the close contact. Tyson hasn’t lied, not really, and the fondness in his eye is undeniable. What is his game? Or is he really so guilty he has to act like such an enamored gentleman?

Or maybe he wants me?

I clear my throat. “And where are your dates?” I point to my friends. “You’ve been ragging on me for weeks to bring someone.”

“Oh, my boyfriend and I broke up,” Karlo casually remarks.

“What?” I yelp.

“Same for me. Things just weren’t working out,” Skyler says with a shrug. They both nod at each other like they just described a weather forecast.

“Seriously? You gave me so much shit for being single. I was so desperate that I —” My words die in my throat when I turn to the handsome fellow next to me. Shit, I almost gave away the secret.

I puff up my chest. “Anyway, I’m…surprised. Based on what you’ve been saying, I thought all the staff would be dancing around with dates.”

“Nope, I guess it’s just you,” Karlo says.

“And clearly it worked out.” Skyler waves up and down at Tyson, eye-ing him with interest.

When I look at my hot date, this stranger that’s quickly becoming my friend, my anxiety settles. Tyson smiles at me and takes my fingers in his hand. He holds me despite the threat of electrical shock; that simple gesture renders me speechless.

Ah, screw it.

I take Tyson’s face with my other hand and kiss him. If I thought my voltage as an eel made me feel alive, that’s nothing compared to Tyson. His lips are soft and warm. His stubble makes my smooth face itch, but I never want to let him go. His tongue meets mine for a brief moment, and I taste his mouth. I need to memorize this, because it might not ever happen again.

When I finally pull off for air, a laugh escapes my lips as I lean my head on his.

“Wow!” Karlo remarks as Skyler whistles.

“That was…something out of this world,” Tyson murmurs with a grin.

“You’d think you two had never kissed before!” Karlo says, and Skyler laughs.

We turn to them and I wrap my arm around Tyson. “Like my man said, we’re pretty new.”

“Every time feels like the first time with this guy,” Tyson adds.

“Aw, I’m happy for you both,” Karlo says.

“But keep it PG, this is a family event.” Skyler wags his finger, and we all laugh. “Speaking of…duty calls.”

Karlo and Skyler dash away just as several families line up at our table. I explain to them about the various activities for the kids, and the prizes we’ll be raffling off. As I speak to the patrons, all I can hear is my inner monster craving another kiss from the handsome man next to me.