Page 4 of Renascence

“Okay. Only the one guy came in.” I look away, hoping he can’t see my blush and praying I sound unaffected.

“So you met Venom.”

He gives me a knowing smile, making my blush deepen.

“You could’ve warned me about the rats, Uncle Jeff. I almost jumped out of my skin.”

He chuckles, going back to his truck to get more bags.

“Why don’t you take off?” he suggests when he returns. “I can manage from here.”

“You sure?”

“Of course. Go explore. It’s a small town, but we got a few places you can check out. The salon, Millie’s diner. There’s also a club not far if you wanna get out tonight.”

“Yeah, at thirty-two, I think my club days are over, Uncle.”

“Nonsense. You’re still young. Live a little.”

“I’ll think about it,” I reply, just to appease him.

I help him unpack all the bags, then grab my purse to see what Stony View, Georgia has to offer. I’ve only been here a few days, and today is the first I’ve left Uncle Jeff’s house. I thought I’d be bored out of my mind here, but I’ve liked the peace and quiet. It definitely seems like a place I could live.

Starting down Main Street, I take in the buildings, trying to commit them to memory. There’s an auto parts store, a bar, salon, and a bakery. The delectable scents drifting out of Sweet Treats send my tummy grumbling, but I quickly walk by. That’s one place I’ll be staying away from.

A few more steps and I find Millie’s, the diner Uncle Jeff told me about. I step through the door, looking up at the chimes as they tinkle above it.

“Take a seat anywhere, sugar. I’ll be right with you.”

I follow the voice, my gaze landing on a brown-haired beauty standing behind the counter. In front of her, a man is leaning forward, obviously flirting with her from the smile that’s plastered on her face. I walk to a booth, recognizing the man as I pass him—Venom. His back is to me now, and I take in the emblem on his vest. It’s a grim reaper dealing the death card from a tarot deck. “Death Dealers” sits atop it in a concave semicircle with “Georgia” below in a convex one. I have no idea what any of it means, so I try not to give it another thought.

As the waitress heads my way, Venom turns, tracking her progress. When his gaze lands on me, he smiles and follows her.

“Hi there! I’m Sheila and I’ll be your waitress today. Can I get you something to drink?”

“Just water, please,” I tell her, taking the menu she offers.

“Coming right up.”

I roll my eyes as Venom slides into the seat across from me. “Please… join me.”

Ignoring the sarcasm in my tone, he turns up the wattage on his smile. God help me but he just became a lot more gorgeous.

“You wound me, Em.” He lays his palm over his heart. “Here I was thinking we were becoming best friends.”

“I don’t know what gave you that impression.”

“Really? Did you forget that you asked to come over and see my anaconda?”

My cheeks redden. “I did no such thing.”

He chuckles, enjoying teasing me a little too much. Sheila returns with my water, and I welcome the distraction from the man’s perfect teeth.

“Here you go, sugar. Watch yourself with this one.” She nods to Venom. “He’ll be in and out of your panties so fast, your head will spin.” She giggles.

I look between the two of them, wondering exactly what I interrupted earlier. The woman definitely looks like the type he would go for—gorgeous brown eyes and hair to match, clear, tanned skin, and a curvy body I wish I had.

“Don’t go telling stories, Sheila. You haven’t let me into yours yet,” Venom counters.