Page 23 of Match Made in Hell

After two never-endingdays of bouncing between my jobs and guarding the portal, I was ready for a break and grateful for my date with Jack.I stepped into Normand’s and shook off the winter chill.The warmth of the restaurant washed over me, instantly melting away the biting cold.The place was cozy, with its rustic décor and intimate lighting, but I couldn’t help but feel a bit out of place.Normand’s was the kind of restaurant I’d never had the funds to experience.I didnowthanks to Deidre’s bounty, but Jack had told me tonight was his treat, a treat I planned to enjoy.

I scanned the room and spotted Jack at a table near the back, looking relaxed and effortlessly handsome.Must be nice.During the hour-long bus ride here, I’d suffered a moment of utter panic when I realized this would be my first date.And not just with Jack.Ever.Somehow, that little detail had escaped my attention until tonight.Now, it was all I could think about.What was I supposed to do?Wait for him to notice me and come over?Wait for someone to escort me to Jack’s table?Or should I just walk right over since he was already seated?

Why was this so hard?Give me a sword and I could gut a hellspawn in two seconds flat.But put me in a dress, and I was completely and utterly lost.I’d seen tons of movies and read plenty of books, but somehow, none had prepared me for this.

“Ma’am?”a voice drew my attention.

I blinked and glanced over to find a dark-haired woman standing in front of me, a slight frown creasing her brow.Crap, had she been trying to get my attention?

“Sorry,” I said, laughing.

Her expression cleared.“Do you need a table?”

“Oh, uh, no, I can see my date from here.”

She nodded and returned to whatever task she’d been working on prior to my entry.

I strode to the table, my steps slowing the second Jack glanced up.The instant he spotted me, he rose from the table.

“Lily, hi,” he said.

“Hi.”Why was I so nervous?I wasn’t naturally shy—far from it.But something about this whole situation unbalanced me.

I removed my purse, then reached for the buttons on my jacket and quickly opened them.I shrugged it off and hung both on the nearby coat rack before turning back to Jack.

He stared at me, a slow smile spreading across his face as he took in my brand-new dress and boots.“Wow, Lily,” he murmured as he pulled out a chair for me.“You look amazing.”

“Thanks,” I said, my cheeks warming.“You clean up pretty well, too.”Usually when he came to the coffee shop, he wore slacks and a dress shirt, but tonight he wore a perfectly tailored suit.One that molded to his every muscle.And damn, it looked good on him.

Jack chuckled, then helped tuck me into the table.Once settled, he returned to his side of the table and sat.Seeing as how this was my first date ever, I truly had no idea what to do with myself.Or where to put my hands.On the table?In my lap?Jack’s were on the table.That seemed a safe bet.

I folded my arms, but that felt wrong.I started to readjust my position, but moved too quickly, and my elbow brushed the water glass sitting right next to me.Horror swept over me when it started to teeter.With a quiet gasp, I snatched the glass with liquid fast reflexes—reflexes far too quick for a human—and steadied it before it could fall.

Jack’s eyes briefly widened, then he gave another soft chuckle.“Damn, good catch.”

I gave an awkward laugh.“Just got lucky.”

“I’d say.”

This time, I folded my hands in my lap, determined not to touch anything else, lest I give myself away.

“You okay?”Jack asked.

“Yeah, I’m great,” I told him.“It’s just…” I took a breath, then lifted my gaze to meet his.“This is my, uh, first…” I bit my lip, then laughed, heat chasing across my cheeks.

“Date?”Jack asked when I didn’t finish my sentence.

I winced when my cheeks grew even hotter.

Knock it off, my brain screamed at me.I was being ridiculous.For crying out loud, who cared if this was my first date?So, I hadn’t dated anyone before.But I’d done other things.Lots of other things.Like ride hellwyrms and travel inter-dimensionally.Who else on Earth could claim they’d done those two things?

“Well, I’m honoured to be your first,” he said before awkwardly coughing.“Your first date, I mean.”

Before I could respond, a waiter approached the table with two menus.“Good evening.How are you two tonight?”

“Just great,” Jack said with a gentle smile.

My stomach flipped, but interestingly, it was agoodflip.For a human, Jack was exceptionally handsome.I found his rugged appearance and short beard quite appealing.And I still couldn’t get over that suit.It hugged his build perfectly.The man had a great deal to offer, both looks and personality-wise.