Page 80 of Welcome to Fae Cafe

“Okay…” Kate tried to see the street behind them in the reflection of the window. “Then let’s go to the mall.”

Cress raised a brow.

“To get you another coat. And a sweater.”

“But I have a coat. And you have my sweater,” he said.

“This coat is probably forty years old.” Kate poked her grandfathers hunting coat with her elbow. “And your assassins are making a lot of money for me today. Just think of it as a thank you gift.”

Cress seemed to think about it for a moment. “Fine.”

Snow sprinkled the toque barely covering his pointed ears. Kate watched him study stores, nod to people passing by, and cast an only semi-cruel smile at a toddler and mother racing past.

He still held her hand.

They got to the subway station, and Kate pulled out her wallet and paid for them both. The subway cars swished to a stop moments later, filling the tunnel with wind, and the doors slid open. Cress hesitated when Kate stepped into the subway car. She reached back and yanked him in right before the doors closed.

“You can find a seat—”

“I’ll stand,” Cress announced. He folded his arms and waited for something to happen.

“Suit yourself.” Kate stifled a smile as she found an open seat.

The moment the car jolted forward, Cress grabbed the back of Kate’s chair to steady himself. Kate’s raspy laugh filled the subway car.

The mall smelled of sticky cinnamon buns and potent perfume. Cress eyed the crowds and read aloud the names of each store he saw. “Shayne would have his pockets stuffed full in a place like this,” he remarked.

“You should see my apartment. I’m going to have to buy him a shipping container soon to store all of his trinkets,” Kate said. She spied Cress fight a smile before he turned his head away.

“The outerwear store is this way.” Kate took his arm and tugged him to the shop of winter coats and accessories. Soft music filled the store, and salespeople snooped from a distance. Kate lifted a coat from a sale rack by the entrance. “How about this one? It’s only eighty bucks!”

Cress’s face fell. “It’s ghastly!” he shouted, and Kate quickly slid it away.

“Wow, take it easy,” she muttered. “The salespeople are going to hear you.” She tried another one, and Cress looked at her like she was crazy. He slid past and marched to the back of the store where a long, camel-coloured dress coat hung on a mannequin. He pointed at it.

“I want that one,” he decided.

Kate sighed and hurried her feet to catch up. “Of course you do.”

Six hundred and thirty-four dollars later, Cress paraded out of the outerwear store like he was in a fashion show. Kate’s grandfather’s coat was rolled into a ball under his arm. Cress had decided he needed the scarf the mannequin wore, too, and the exact pair of sunglasses.

“So much for a profitable day.” Kate slid her wallet away.

“Well, you wouldn’t let me pay with fairy gold,” Cress said. “It’s your own fault, Human.”

“You can’t just pay for something with a handful of rocks! There are rules here, you know.”

“You’re too kind-hearted,” he stated. “It’s weak.”

“You’re still a monster. It’s scary.”

He glanced at her, but she couldn’t see his eyes past his sunglasses. A laugh escaped her as he seemed unable to come up with a response. Cress reached over and took her hand again. “I like your laugh. It’s harmless in both an irritating and infatuating way.”

He began looking around again—up at the mall chandeliers and the two-story-tall banners. Kate took in his relaxed walk and his almost-smiles to passing people. He didn’t seem dangerous. But Freida’s words rang through her mind:“Unfortunately, almost all fairies are tricky, manipulative, cruel, and would jump at the opportunity to torment a human…”

So, there was that.

“Why do you keep holding my hand?” Kate asked.

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