Page 67 of Horn in My Side
“Whoa!”Ven nearly choked on his drink.“Sorry, man, didn’t mean to say ...I didn’t ...She’s hot, but ...”
“It’s fine.”The kid hadn’t known, after all.No one had.
“You actually asked her out?”Nick’s expression was that of surprise, and maybe a hint of envy.“Good for you.”He slapped Mal on the back.“Jasmine’s a great gal.”
“Cares a lot about the creatures,” Sterling added.“And a lovely person.”
Ian and Rafe didn’t say anything, only nodded their agreement.
“Great worker, from what Vrig said, and he had good instincts,” Jim added.“I hope things work out for you.A good woman is hard to find these days.After I lost my Rebecca, I didn’t want to date anyone.”
“Believe me, we tried,” Nick said.
“Not your fault,” Jim added.“No one could replace her in my heart.”
“Maybe your luck with the girls will rub off on the rest of us.”The satyr gestured around him.“In case you didn’t notice, we’re the perpetual singles club over here.”
“It’s tough out there for us non-humans, even here in Dewberry Falls,” Sterling sighed.
Rafe just huffed.
“I don’t particularly care for dating these days,” Ian said in a dry tone.“And, Nick, you change girlfriends like you do your underwear.”
Nick winked at Mal.“What can I say, no one woman can pin me down.But, anyway, good luck on your date tomorrow.Where are you planning on taking her?”
Mal pressed his lips together, contemplating what to say, but Ian spoke first.“Oh, leave him alone.He’s under enough pressure already.”
“Hey, I wasn’t—” But he was silenced with a look from his twin.“Fine.It wasn’t like we were going to show up or anything.You are one lucky orc, Mal.Jasmine’s a treasure and Vrig really did trust her a lot.”
Mal didn’t know what to say so he took a sip of his beer, praying that someone would change the topic.Thankfully, Ian started to tell another story about Vrig, and everyone’s attention shifted away from Mal and his date.He caught the satyr’s eye and sent him a grateful look, which he returned with a nod.The conversation around him faded away as he stared into his beer, anticipation building as he realized it was less than twenty-four hours before his first date with Jasmine.
Finally, Friday came and, as Mal promised, he let Jasmine leave early.She had fussed over Clawdia, but Mal assured her the hatchling would be fine and he’d feed her dinner and play with her before settling her in for the night.Neither of them had had to stay with her in the shop after that initial night, and once they’d set up a brand-new, non-griffin-smelling pen for her, she seemed content by herself.As for the old hatching tank, Mal planned to rebuild it and repurpose it as a showcasepiece for the shop.Jasmine could do what she had originally planned for the carcinos egg but with another reptilian or egg-laying creature.
Mal’s hearts pounded loudly in his chest as he made the quick walk to her doorstep.He knocked on her door, throat tight with anxiety and excitement.
“Jasmine,” he burst out as soon as the door opened.“You look beautiful.”
That didn’t even come close to describing her right now, but using words were becoming increasingly difficult.Her hair fell in shiny waves down her shoulders and back.He didn’t know much about makeup, but he could tell she wore just enough to complement her already gorgeous features.The red dress she wore wasn’t particularly revealing, though the color suited her tawny skin.
“Thanks.”A shy smile lit up her face.“You look nice too.”
He gave the hem of his jacket a self-conscious tug.“This is the only suit I own.”
“I’m glad you ditched the tie.”Her eyes fixed on the exposed skin where he’d left the top button open, then quickly looked away.“I mean, I didn’t dress for a formal occasion or anything like that.”Her throat bobbed.“So, where are we going?”
“Blackbyrd on Main Street.I hope you don’t mind that we’re not going too far, since I didn’t want to drive.”
“It’s a nice night for a walk, anyway.And I love that place, but I’ve only been once.Their burnt Basque cheesecake is divine.”She chewed at her lower lip.“Mal, Blackbyrd is pretty expensive for a first date.Are you sure you wouldn’t rather go to the diner or maybe one of the other restaurants on Main?Harpy’s Café is good too.”
“I already made reservations, and don’t worry about the cost.”
“But—”
“I asked you out,” he reminded her.Besides, he’d been watching her scrimp and save the last couple of months, so he wantedto treat her to something special tonight.He held out his arm.“Shall we?”
She looped her arm through his and they strolled toward Main Street in comfortable silence.Mal breathed in the warm night air as a breeze carried some of Jasmine’s perfume and tickled his nose.
“Welcome to Black—Oh, hello, Mal,” the host, an older man with salt-and-pepper hair, greeted.
