Page 5 of Taking a Tumble (Ghostlight Falls #7)
The Holey Wonders
KAZ’RON
I can’t believe I'm here with Tabitha. After months of pining after the woman, all it took was a foxkin mishap to nudge things along. When I told her the plan for tonight’s date, I thought she may vibrate out of her skin.
The way her face lit up and she reached for my hand—I swear that’s a core memory now.
A crisp fall breeze wafts the scents of spiked cider and fried food toward us, as we walk the lane leading up to the park. Music follows, though not the band just yet. They must be playing some filler music while people arrive and get settled.
We chatted on the short walk here. Nothing monumental, just easy get-to-know-you questions.
The blanket I brought for us to sit on is under my right arm, Tabi’s hand holding my left.
Yeah, I’m still in awe of that, too. She grabbed my hand at her apartment and never let go.
The initial spark when she first made contact has faded to a warm contentment.
She did it so naturally, like we’d held hands a million times before.
It’s like she doesn’t have an awkward bone in her body.
“Where would you like to sit?” I ask her as we finally make it to the grassy area in front of the stage. Vendors surround the edges of the park, ready to peddle their wares to concert-goers. Tabi looks around, surveying the open areas.
“Maybe over there? It’s a little further back, but we won’t be at risk of being stepped on.” She points to an empty nook near the back of the field, pretty far from the stage but where we can still see it.
“That’s perfect,” I say. “Not going to lie, I’m a bit of an old man and would rather not be up near the stage anyway. Though I would have done it for you,” I amend. There’s a lot I would do for this woman. Maybe not any major crimes, but honestly? It depends on the situation.
Tabi shoots me a winning smile as we make our way to the spot she’s chosen, laying the blanket on the soft grass. I motion for her to sit before speaking.
“I’m going to grab us something to drink. They have some spiked cider tonight that smells pretty good. Would you like one?”
Tabi smiles softly at me. “That would be great, Kaz, thanks.”
I’m on cloud nine as I walk toward the cider stand, eager to get back to my date, when a shrill voice assaults my eardrums.
“Kaz-ron!” My name is drawn out and whined in the fakest sweet voice you can imagine. I know exactly who’s calling for me right now. I turn toward the voice and nearly sigh in frustration.
Emily.
I’ve successfully avoided the harpy for the last few months.
We dated briefly a few years ago, but by date two I knew we weren’t compatible.
Emily is pretty enough—nothing near Tabitha’s beauty—but she is incredibly needy.
Don’t get me wrong, I want to pamper a partner and love feeling needed, but it felt like every other comment out of her mouth was something self deprecating, as if she needed reassurance.
Or she just wanted to bask in compliments.
Also, her voice grates on my nerves. Yes, I am fully aware that’s shallow, but can you imagine spending the rest of your life with someone who makes you cringe whenever they talk?
We never went on a third date, but Emily hasn’t gotten the hint and I’m horrible at confrontation, so I’ve just avoided the issue altogether.
That’s come back to bite me in the ass tonight, though.
Emily’s wing grazes my shoulder as she comes to stand in front of me, blocking my path.
“Kaz’ron! Oh my gods, what are you doing here? You should have told me you were coming, silly!” She playfully pushes my shoulder as she simpers. I look back toward Tabitha and find her staring at us with furrowed brows. Shit.
Determination fills me, and I prepare to tell Emily once and for all that we are never happening. There is no way I’m letting her ruin my chances with Tabi. I can be firm, but kind. I can .
“I’m on a date with Tabitha.” The words come out rushed and not at all as confident as I wanted them to. To emphasise my point, I wave my hand awkwardly in the direction of the sweet human woman waiting for me.
The harpy’s expression falls before turning petulant. She sends a menacing glare at Tabi, stomps a clawed foot, and storms off with a little harrumph .
That didn’t go as smoothly as I planned, but when does anything? At least Emily is clear on where I stand and Tabi can rest assured I’m not interested in the interfering harpy. Taking a deep breath, I smile at my date and turn to continue to the cider stand.
There’s no line, so I walk right up to the window and am greeted by Hudson, a new guy in town.
“Hey Kaz’ron! What can I get ya?” he greets me happily.
“Two spiked ciders, Hudson, thanks. Oh, and maybe some of those cream cheese danishes.” They’re a new item Phillipa just made for Grim’s bakery, I bet Tabi will like those.
It isn’t long before Hudson hands me the cups and a small bag through the window, leaning forward conspiratorially, a mischievous shine in his eyes. Oh no.
“Did I just hear you tell Emily that you’re here with Tabitha? On a date ?” he whisper-yells.
“Yep, sure am,” I reply, just wanting to end this interaction and get back to said date.
His eyebrows hit his hairline. “A date date? Like, you’re dating and she’s off the market kind of date?”
Is it really that hard to believe? Way to take a crowbar to the knees of a male’s confidence. Instead of revealing my inner wince, I simply say, “Yes, a date date.”
Hudson whistles. “Look at you go, man. She’s so hot.”
A growl leaves my lips before I can stop it, something hot and possessive rising inside me listening to him objectify Tabitha like that. I mean, he’s right, she is hot. But he shouldn’t be looking at her that way. She’s mine.
Before I can unpack that alpha-male reaction, I turn and walk away from the cider stand, shoulders stiff, barely stopping myself from crushing the flimsy paper cups I’m still holding.
When I get back to Tabitha, she reaches for one of the cups, her nose scrunching up adorably. “Thank you, Kaz. You okay?”
I plop down on the blanket beside her before I answer. “Yeah, just glad to be back here with you.”
That softens her features and gets me a genuine smile again. Before either of us can say something else, a screech rips from the speakers, followed by the mayor’s voice. The whole crowd flinches.
“Good evening, Ghostlight Falls! And welcome to ninety's night! It’s time to travel back thirty or so years and relive your youth. Please welcome The Holey Wonders !”
The crowd claps, but Tabi leans into me. “The ninety’s weren’t thirty years ago, right? 1995 was like, ten years ago max. Don’t tell me otherwise, let me live in this delusion.”
We both laugh, then stay close as the band begins to play. Tabitha sings along, head bopping back and forth to the beat. My off-key voice doesn’t need to ruin the moment so I don’t join in, content to watch her enjoy herself.
The band plays mostly upbeat hits, but then shifts gears to some slower ballads.
Suddenly, Tabi scrambles and changes position, moving between my legs with her back to my chest. I wrap an arm around her midsection reflexively, momentarily stunned as she wiggles to get comfortable.
Her head tips up and back to look at me.
“Is this ok?” she asks.
“Uh, yeah. More than ok,” I manage to reply. Content with that answer, she watches the band again, her posture slowly relaxing until she’s nearly melded to my body. It’s perfect.