Page 76 of Moonlight Hearts

“Don’t you dare, Amory.Don’t you dare put yourself down in front of me.It’s going to make me very mad.”

“Then maybe you’re easy to impress, Black Shuck.”

“Nope.We’re changing the topic.You’ll see reason eventually, I’m sure.I’ll hear your verdict on this cider now.”

“You’re going to make the best one for Thanksgiving, aren’t you?”

“Yes.It’s seasonal, apples are supposedly healthy, and it’s going to be great spiked with strong liquor.It’s perfect.”

“Then make this one.The ginger is great in it.No spiking the whole pot though, there will be children.”

“Spoilsport.Are you sure this is the one?”

I nodded and finished my glass.“Yes.Will you pour me another?”

He huffed but reached over to give me a refill.“I know when I’m being placated, my love, but I don’t care.We’re going to be having this.For our party.”

“Our party.I think you’re trying to placate me right back, but I don’t care either.What are you looking forward to most?”

He rolled his eyes.“When they’re all gone.”

I tried to give his leg a little kick under the table, but he avoided it.“Okay, what are you looking forward to the second most?”

“For the first person to announce they have to go and then for the rest to follow suit.”

“You’re trying too hard, Soyer.”

“Not so.Say, would you like to extend your long weekend, call in sick tomorrow?I might even let you help me prepare.For our party, you know.”

I loved my firebird very much, didn’t want to be without him, and wanted to wake up next to him each morning for the rest of forever, but when he was trying to be mean like this, albeit lovingly mean, I wanted to pinch him.Maybe even on the butt.Not that I had the reflexes to make that happen.

“I’m not falling for that.Besides, my boss is really strict.Oh, you wouldn’t believe that reputation he keeps lugging around.It’s super scary.”

“Ah, there go my hopes of seeing you chop onions.”

“I learned to dice them.Kasey’s a good teacher.”

He tilted his head from left to right, making his joints pop loudly.“About tomorrow.I haven’t decided yet, but I might not come by, or only very briefly to pick you up.”

That brought my mood down just a little bit.I’d gotten used to Soyer watching me, to him looking at me while I worked, and I was pretty sure I’d have a lot to do tomorrow.I wouldn’t have minded him seeing me handle things when the diner was full, and serving him while all those people were there had a certain appeal as well.

“Why?”

“Mostly to make sure people will want to come back to catch a glimpse.”

I snorted.“You’re not some rare wild animal, Mr.Black Shuck.”

“See, this is where you think I used to be out and about before I knew you as much as I am now, but I actually couldn’t be bothered.When I had to go places, it was usually because I had business with someone, and that ended in blood.Not my own, naturally.”

“Then don’t you want to be seen all night for a change?”

“Not by them.”

He let that hang there, but his eyes didn’t leave mine.He was waiting, I could tell.He’d never ask for anything, not now.He’d never suggest anything, not in this situation.I wasn’t sure whether it was specifically because he didn’t want to pressure me or whether this was just how he was, but I could tell he was waiting for me to let him know what I wanted, if anything.

Early on, I’d have been scared.Not of him—never of him—but I wouldn’t have been able to read him as well as I could now, and even if I had, I’d have second-guessed myself into inaction.

But not anymore.Being with Soyer now was as easy as taking a breath.I stood, and under his watchful gaze, I walked right up to him, leaned over him, and kissed his forehead.