Reston could talk as long as it took paint to dry.
Driven by a sudden urge to avoid being caught up in another endless conversation that wasn’t with the golden-voiced woman, Constantin peeled off the wall and headed for Fletcher. “Take care of Mr. Bellwether, please.”
Fletcher looked at him. “I, uh, sure.” He went off to greet Mr. Bellwether.
As Constantin stood before the woman, a sudden rush went through him. He couldn’t explain it. He only knew he wanted to feel it again. “Sorry to interrupt. I’m Constantin Thibodeaux, owner of the shop. I’d be happy to help you with whatever you need.”
She smiled at him. “Hi, Con. I’m sorry, Constantin. Nice to meet you.” She stuck out her hand. “I’m Andromeda. But you can call me Andi.”
He shook her hand. The touch of her skin against his nearly buckled him, but something, perhaps years of vampire fortitude, kept him upright with the appearance of being unfazed. “Hi, Andi. You can call me Con. What can I help you with?”
As he released her hand, he was struck by a mix of déjà vu and sheer desire. What was going on with him? He couldn’t fathom how a human could affect him this way.
Her gaze held him with a warmth that he felt down to his toes. “I’m in need of some reading material, but I’m also new in town, and I thought maybe you might have a map of Shadowvale here? Some kind of visitors guide or something?” She took a breath. Her heart was beating quicker than normal for a human. “I always feel like a bookstore is the soul of a town, you know?”
He nodded. “That’s a lovely sentiment. I don’t have any visitor guides, I’m afraid. Shadowvale doesn’t really get visitors.”
“So I’ve heard, but I’m not really a visitor. I’ve just moved here.”
Behind her, Valentino cleared his throat. “Welcome to Shadowvale.”
She turned. “Thank you.”
Valentino stood and extended his hand. “I’m Valentino Thibodeaux. Con’s brother. And Val to my friends. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, too.” She shook his hand, sending a pang of jealousy through Constantin that he had no right to. What the devil was going on?
Valentino kept up the conversation. “What brings you to Shadowvale?” Then he laughed. “My apologies. No need to answer that. Everyone comes here for their own personal reasons and for the chance to live their life as peaceably as possible despite those reasons.”
She seemed happy not to answer. “That’s what I’m hoping for.”
Valentino nodded. “I promise you, it’s true. This town is filled with people fraught with their own burdens, but this place makes them easier to bear.”
Constantin stepped in to change the subject. “What kind of places were you hoping to find on a map? Maybe I can make some suggestions.”
She looked at him again, those clear lilac eyes focused on him in the most delightful way. “Well, a good place to get coffee would be a start.”
“There are two on Main Street. Black Horse Bakery, which is just a couple blocks south, and Deja Brew, which is a few more blocks north. Both are good, but I prefer Black Horse since they stock a special blend of chicory coffee for my family.”
“Louisiana, right?” Andi asked.
“Yes.” He nodded. “Have you been?”
“No, but I’ve heard enough from other locals to know that’s added to the coffee there.”
He smiled. “Speaking of reading, what kind of books are you looking for?”
“Anything happy or fun. Romance, whodunit where the bad guy gets it at the end, a twisty thriller, even an uplifting autobiography. Just nothing sad or depressing.”
He nodded. “No romance, but I have a lot of other books I can recommend.”
“That would be great.” She glanced toward the street. “Maybe I’ll just run up to the bakery and grab a cup of coffee. Would you mind if I brought it into the store?”
“No, not at all.”
“Or…” Valentino lifted his empty cup off the table. “Con, you could walk up there with her and bring me back a refill. Then you could tell her a little more about the town on the way.”
“Oh,” Andi said. “That would be lovely.”
A walk with her would be lovely, but he was working. “As nice as that sounds, I shouldn’t leave the shop.”
“Of course you should,” Valentino argued. “Fletcher’s here, and so am I. I won’t let him burn anything down, promise.”
“He’s not the one I’m worried about.” But Constantin was too intrigued with Andi to debate the issue further. He gestured toward the front door. “After you.”
“Thank you.” Once they were on the sidewalk, she kept the conversation going. “That’s nice that you have your brother here in town.”
“My whole family lives here, actually. Even a cousin.”
She nodded. “That’s so nice. My sister’s here with me, but I don’t think she’s staying. I’d like her to. This seems like a great place for supernaturals to live.”
“It is. It’s probably the best place for—wait, are you implying that your sister is a supernatural?”
Andi nodded. “She’s a sprite.”
He hadn’t been wrong about the scent of her blood. It was human. There was no two ways about it. “But you’re human, aren’t you?”
“I am. Now. But how did you know that?”
He tapped the side of his nose. “Vampire sense of smell.” Then he almost stumbled. “Did I just out myself? Or did you already know I’m a vampire?” Sometimes he forgot vampires were still terrifying to some people. Especially humans.
She laughed. “You, your brother, and your assistant all had your fangs on display. It wasn’t hard to figure out.”
“In this town, there’s no reason for us—or anyone—to hide their identities.”
“I think that’s really cool. Such a great way to live.”
“It is.” He paused, wondering if he should ask his next question or not. “How is it that you’re human, but your sister is a sprite?”
Her smile wavered, but there was a determination in her eyes that he admired. “I gave up my wings for a greater cause.”
“And giving up your wings made you human?”
She nodded, looking straight ahead now. “It did.”
The quietness of her voice seemed to underline how big of a decision it had been.
“That’s quite a sacrifice. I hope this greater cause was worth it.”
She glanced at him, her smile returning. “I don’t know yet. But I have hope.”
He hoped for her sake it was. He pointed to the other side of the street. “We need to cross here.”
The only two cars on the street stopped for them. They went across and into the bakery.
“Smells so good in here,” Andi said.
“It does.” Constantin leaned in a little bit. “But the really sweet part is that all the baked goods are free. The coffee is very reasonable, too.”
“What?” Andi’s eyes widened. “Are you serious? Free cake? Free cookies?”
He nodded as Nasha Black came over to help them. “I’ll explain later.”
Nasha greeted them. “Hi, Constantin. What can I get you today?”
“Morning, Nasha. Coffees, actually,” Con answered. “We just haven’t made it to that end of the counter yet.”
“No problem.” Nasha gestured to the end of the counter. “Em, coffee customers.”
Constantin and Andi moved to where Emeranth was waiting. “Hi, Constantin. Your usual?”
“Two chicory coffees, please, and whatever kind my new friend would like.”
“Make it three,” Andi said.
Constantin glanced at her. “Are you sure? They have regular.”
She shrugged. “I want to try it.”
He liked that. “Okay.”
Em got the coffees right up. They fixed them how they liked them and started the walk back.
“So…” Andi started. “When you said you’d tell me why everything was free l
ater, is that later now or later as in…later?” She laughed. “How’s that for a clear sentence?”
He smiled, still utterly taken with her. “How about I explain over dinner tonight?”
“Really?” The light in her eyes was something to behold. She sipped her coffee, then nodded to indicate she liked it.
“Really. There’s a great little café down on Fiddler Street. The Table. We could go down there, and I could show you around town a little. We could even see the club my brother owns. If you want.”
She nodded. “I would love that.” Her grin practically ran from ear to ear. “It’s a date.”
Chapter Thirty
“I can’t believe it’s really happening. It’s fast, yes, but that doesn’t surprise me since it happened fast the first time.” Andi gave her outfit a good once-over in the full-length mirror on the closet door.
She and Cassi had gotten a room at the Amethyst Inn, a beautiful Victorian bed-and-breakfast near the park. It was, appropriately, painted in various shades of purple.
Rooms were good size, nicely decorated (not all in purple), and the price was right, although Cassi was paying. She’d insisted as a way of making up for cursing Andi into that horrible book.
There were only two other guests at the inn, along with three permanent residents. But two of the three permanent residents were ghosts—sisters who could turn into owls who weren’t ghosts, which was…interesting. But Andi wasn’t sure if they, being ghosts, could really be considered permanent or not. Sometimes the supernatural got a little confusing.
Cassi lounged on the bed, looking at the local paper. “I can’t believe it either. I’m glad it is happening, don’t get me wrong. Giving up your wings for this guy was a major deal, and if it wasn’t working, I’d be heartbroken for you. But don’t get too eager, or he could think you’re squirrely.”
“Right. And good point. Heaven knows I’ve deliberately ditched guys with the overeager act.” Andi smoothed the skirt of the borrowed simple black dress she was wearing for her date with Con. Thankfully, Cassi had had the foresight to pack a broader selection of clothes.
Andi, on the other hand, still had very little to her name, although she’d been able to retrieve her purse from her sister’s. One of the first things she’d done there was to get her phone turned back on, but that was it. She’d worry about replacing things once she found a job here in Shadowvale. She didn’t want to dig into the money her gran had left her unless she really needed to.
She turned around and held her hands out. “How do I look?”
“Nice. Pretty. Not like you’re trying too hard. Like you’re trying the right amount.”
“Good.” Andi blew out a breath that lifted the hair around her face. “I can’t believe how nervous I am.” She closed and opened her hands. “My palms are actually sweating.”
“I think that’s a good sign.”
“Yeah, maybe.” Andi started to wipe her hands on the dress, then stopped, remembering it was borrowed from her sister.
She went into the adjoining bathroom to use a towel instead and give her makeup and hair one more inspection. She was also wearing a pair of her sister’s earrings. “What are you going to do while I’m out?”
“I’m going to Club 42.”
Andi leaned back to look out the door. “You are not.”
“I am. And…” Cassi got up, went to her suitcase, dug in, and pulled out a pair of black leather leggings. “I’m really glad I brought these.”
Andi’s eyes almost bugged out of her head. “Firstly, I didn’t know you even owned anything like that. Secondly, are you trolling for a certain vampire?”
“I’m not trolling.” Cassi blushed. “I can’t help it. I think he’s hot. And this is my chance to make a brand-new impression.”
Amused, Andi went back to the mirror. “I think you made a pretty good impression the first time.”
“Well, I want to make a better one. A sexier one.”
“Don’t go overboard. He liked you the first time just as you were.” Andi took a breath. There was only so much fixing a person could do before they started looking like they’d gone face first into a bad Snapchat filter. “Okay, I’m as ready as I’m going to be.”
“He’s picking you up? In his car?” Cassi planted her hands on her hips. “I know you know him, but he doesn’t know that. Aren’t you afraid he’ll think you’re…I don’t know, reckless?”
“Settle down, Gran. I’m meeting him at the restaurant. It’s on Fiddler Street. Only a couple blocks from Val’s club, I think.”
“Okay. That’s good.” Cassi smiled. “Have fun.”
“I’m going to try.”
Cassi fluttered her wings. “If I’m not home when you get back, you know where I am.”
“Well, behave yourself. I’d say don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, but that wouldn’t leave much. Don’t do anything you normally wouldn’t do. How’s that?”
She dipped her chin, smirking. “We’ll see.”
Andi rolled her eyes as she slipped the strap of her small bag over her shoulder and headed out.
The walk was nice. The air was cool and scented with night-blooming flowers and the greenery that seemed to be everywhere in this town. A few fireflies blinked off and on in the distance.
Fiddler Street was busy, mostly filled with smartly dressed couples. She smiled. No matter what happened, she could make a good life for herself here. A happy life. Maybe not at first, if things with Con didn’t go as she hoped, but eventually. This town was safe. Not something she’d ever thought she’d want, but she was ready for that now. Ready for roots and responsibility.
But mostly ready for the incredible man waiting for her.
Con was standing outside the restaurant as she approached. He was holding a single red rose. He presented it to her as she joined him. “For you. You look lovely.”
“Thank you. You look very nice, too.” He was devastatingly handsome in a simple gray suit and white shirt with the top button undone.
“Thank you. Are you hungry?”
She nodded, but it was kind of a lie. The butterflies in her stomach left no room for an appetite. But she’d manage something.
He held the door for her, and they went in. The Table was as cool and chic as Fiddler Street was funky and artsy. Lots of Edison bulbs, copper piping, dark wood, and polished concrete. White linen draped the tables, and black-and-white photos lined the walls.
He gave his name to the hostess, and they were led back to a table in a secluded spot that offered a nice view of the rest of the restaurant. He held her chair for her, then took his own seat. The hostess handed them menus before leaving them alone.
A glass bowl in the center of the table held what looked like the same glowing moss Andi had seen in the enchanted forest, but she realized that wasn’t something she should know about.
Still, she wasn’t entirely sure that was what it was. She figured she’d let Con tell her. “How do they do that?”
Con looked away from his menu. “Do what?”
She nodded at the bowl. “Get that moss to glow? It’s a very cool trick.”
“It’s no trick. It’s sprite moss.”
“For real? That’s what it’s called? And it glows? I can’t wait to tell my sister there’s a fungus named after her.”
He laughed. “It’s naturally phosphorescent. And it really is a moss, not a fungus. But I understand having a moss named after your kind isn’t quite the same effect. The only place it grows is in the enchanted forest here in Shadowvale. The glow lasts about a week if kept in water, I understand.”
“The enchanted forest? I think I saw a sign for that.”
His smile thinned. “Dangerous place. Or it can be. Don’t ever go alone.”
“Thanks for the warning. I’ll remember that.” She looked at her menu. She had no intention of going back there. “What do you recommend?”
“All of it, really. But the asparagus and crab risotto is especially nice. And the but
ternut squash ravioli with sage is supposed to be very good. That’s what my sisters tell me. I’m more of a meat-eater myself.”
“I can imagine.”
He snorted. “Yes, I suppose that’s obvious.” He put his menu down. “Thank you for coming out with me this evening.”
She smiled. “I don’t think I’ve ever been thanked for agreeing to a date before.”
His smile was sly and pleased. “Then you’ve obviously been dating the wrong men.”
She let out a breathy little sigh. “Isn’t that the truth.”
The server came, and she ordered the risotto while he ordered a medium-rare ribeye. She stuck to water when the server asked what she was drinking, but Con requested a bottle of fancy sparkling water for the table.
She was glad he wasn’t drinking brandy like he had been the last night at the club. She hoped to never see him like that again, actually.
The server took the menus and left. Con leaned in. “What are you going to do for work in Shadowvale? Or are you one of the many independently wealthy?”
“Hah, I wish.” She fixed her napkin on her lap. “I have a little money, thanks to a small trust fund, but I’ll get a job somewhere. I don’t care what it is, really. I’d be happy bagging groceries. I just want to pay my bills and live my life.”
He nodded. “I admire that. I could ask around for you, see who’s hiring. I’m not quite as connected as my brother, but I know a few people.”
“Thanks, that would be great. But I should warn you. I don’t have a lot of skills.” She sighed. “I’ve spent most of my life living off the kindness of strangers. Coming to Shadowvale is part of me turning over a new leaf, as it were.”
He shrugged. “You told me you gave up your wings for a good cause. That doesn’t sound to me like someone who needs to turn over a new leaf.”
“The leaf was already turning when that happened.”
“I see. Well, regardless of your skill level, I’m sure there’s something you can do.”
The server returned with the sparkling water, poured them each a glass, then disappeared again.
A few more minutes of small talk, and the server came back again, this time with their food.
The Vampire's Cursed Kiss (Shadowvale Book 2) Page 21