Page 117 of Moonlight Hearts

His snakes moved in a happy wave.“Sure thing.Taking a break?”

“No, just sending a quick email.The pancakes are for…for our regular.”

“I’ll get right on that.”

I nodded and hurried off to Dwayne’s office, where I typed out an email and sent it to Dwayne and Soyer.I didn’t expect an answer, because likely as not, Dwayne was asleep.But before I could even turn off the computer, a response popped up.

Go ahead with the menu change.It’s a good suggestion.

Soyer

I gaped at the message.Soyer never really did that; concern himself with the minutiae of running the Moonlight.I pulled my phone back out to text him.

Are you flirting with me now?

Yes.

But is the menu change really okay?Or was that just flirting?

It’s really okay.Would look bad for me if it weren’t.You know I’m a man of my word, Amory.

Right.Thank you.And for the flirting too.It’s nice.I really love you, but I’m still more excited for Ben and the writer right now.

??

I understand.You’re encouraging me to flirt harder.

You don’t need to flirt with me.I’m already yours.

The flirting is to show you that I’d still fight ten dozen other suitors to win your heart again, Amory.

Let me flirt with you.Let me impress you again each day.

I stared at my screen, not sure how to respond.I bit the inside of my cheek.

There is pie waiting for you here.Your favorite.

Cherry?

Yes.That’s your favorite flavor, isn’t it?

It used to be.

Heat washed over my skin.I was missing him, missing my firebird.

Well, if you don’t want the pie anymore…

I want the pie.I like having my dessert.Are you on break?

No.My tables are waiting.I have to bring the writer his pancakes.But I’m waiting for you.

That’s good.I promise I won’t be late.Go, observe that love story unfolding.

That warm, fuzzy feeling settled in my belly, and I put my phone away before powering down the computer and switching off the lights in the office.I didn’t want to miss a single thing about Ben and the writer’s romance.

Soyer walked through the door at midnight on the dot.I looked up from folding napkins, and when our eyes met, it was like the night brightened with phoenix fire.

“Welcome to the Moonlight Diner,” I told him.