Page 13 of Midsummer Phoenixes

If all the pawns you have come in here are as polite as today’s crowd, I really don’t mind. Serving faultlessly friendly people is kind of nice.

Soyer

??Are you trying to talk me into getting you a raise, Amory? Or is this your way of telling me that someone misbehaved?

??Do I need to follow up with Ben about that? ??????????????

Soyer’s use of emojis was as ever over the top. I knew for a fact Ben was a nice guy. Back when I had burned, he had done his best to protect both me and Jenny. But I definitely didn’t want Soyer to text him like some helicopter boyfriend.

Amory

Neither. I’m just saying your pawns are nice people.

Soyer

Not my pawns, and you’re just saying that because you don’t know them.

Standing there, staring at Soyer’s words on my screen, I realized something. I’d been with him every single day over the last two months, and right now, I was missing him.

Amory

That nephew werewolf didn’t ask me to do yoga with him btw.

I typed, at a loss about what else to send. I couldn’t tell Soyer that I missed him. He’d come here right away. Yes, I wanted that, but also...I wasn’t a capable vampire graphic designer with a degree. I was only a waiter, albeit a good one. I would not stand here in our storage room, crying for my boyfriend to come hug be and make me feel better. I could handle myself.

Soyer

??

Good for him.

Although I researched yoga pants so that I would be able to imagine what you would look like in them. Thorough research, Amory.

Amory

Wait, were you watching porn?

Soyer

?? ?? ??No. I looked at yoga pants and imagined you wearing some. Why would I watch porn without you?

My cheeks heated. I looked down the hallway to make sure no one was sneaking up on me.

Amory

I never know. With your rampant libido.

Soyer

My libido may be rampant, but it needs you to get going. And it’s getting ready to go right now.

My jaw dropped as all my world constricted to his words on the screen.

I read the message a couple of times, just like the cards he sent along with his flowers.

Amory

I’m still at work.