Page 67 of Moonlight Hearts

“Some do, some don’t.It really depends.People in my family travel a lot; go abroad for a few years, you know?I guess we’re flexible with our holidays.But we’re looking forward to this one.”

I put my phone away, deciding it was probably better not to engage with Rae any further.“Me too.I never hosted a party.We’re hosting this one together, but I never did that either.”

Ben looked…he looked really happy.Like he was happy for me, and I thought,Florence could’ve been this happy for me.It hurt a little, maybe for the better.

“You’ll be fantastic.You’re so good at the diner, and that you convinced Mr.Bennet to do this…” He shook his head as if I’d tamed an angry dragon.“It’s going to be wonderful.”

Those words out of Ben’s mouth hurt even more.It wasn’t his fault.It didn’t even make sense.If I allowed myself to think about it, I was probably getting emotional on the subway because my parents had abandoned me too early, had never told me I was going to be fantastic at something like hosting Thanksgiving with my fiancé, and that wasn’t fair.Making it Ben’s problem was even worse, so I tried to get a grip on my emotions.

“It’ll be fun, that’s all it has to be.”

The universe was kind, and we arrived at our stop then.That interrupted our conversation and saved me from things turning awkward and embarrassing.

I wiped at my eyes and let Ben go first so he could make sure there was no one in my way.Back up on the surface, the wind blew snow into our faces.I pulled up my hood, glad the walk was a short one.

Ben opened the door to the diner, holding it for me, and I followed the twinkling echoes of the bells above.From the looks of it, today was going to be a slow day.Three tables were occupied, and there was only one person at the counter, eating a slice of pie while reading a book.

Rae was talking to two people at one of their tables—small talk, it sounded like.

“Welcome to the Moonlight Diner,” Thaeros said, looking up from where he was rearranging the pies in the display case.He was wearing the uniform today, and while I wasn’t the most fashion-conscious person in the world, I knew he looked good in it.That made him not liking it even odder.

“Hi.Sorry I’m late.”

He indicated the diner.“We managed.”

I nodded and made myself smile.“Thanks anyway.Are you off now?”

I unzipped my jacket and wiped my feet.Dwayne had put out the absorbent floor mat earlier in the month.

Thaeros closed the display case.“Depends on whether you need me to stay or not.”

“No.Like you said, this is nothing.Just give me a sec.”

I walked toward the back while Ben took his customary place at the end of the counter.Thaeros came to join me, and I held the swing door for him.

“I made some adjustments to the schedule.The printout on the desk, I mean.”

I slowed my steps.“You did?”

“Rae said I had to because they were off for Thanksgiving, along with you, Kasey, and the human owner.”

“Oh, shoot.”I rubbed my face.“It’s a Thursday.How the fuck did I forget that?”

Thaeros chuckled.It was an almost superhuman sound, like a melody, like water running over the smoothest rocks or bubbling up from the belly of the earth.

“That can sneak up on a person.”

My face heated.“Thaeros, did you have plans?For Thanksgiving, I mean?”

He lifted his brows, and when I flipped on the lights in the back, his hair and skin looked shimmery for a moment, like the smooth surface of a pearl.But it faded, probably a trick of the light and his pale complexion.

“I don’t celebrate.Don’t know anyone that does.I hope it’s quiet.Levi said he’d be okay to pick up a shift too.”

I took off my jacket, gloves, and scarf, and put them into my locker, leaving the door open so they’d have a chance to dry.

“You did all this already?”

He shrugged.“I managed.I’m supposed to manage things here.”