Page 18 of Santa's Wish
Irena herself greeted us with two waters and a wine list.
"This one will try to tell you what is good, but he hasn't been here in months," she muttered with her thick accent. She jabbed the wine list at Boz. "You ask for specials."
He obeyed with a grin. "Erm…what are your specials?"
"Tonight is roast beef and vegetables."
The vegetables smelled especially delicious. I recognized potatoes and the tang of caramelized onion, but I couldn't tell what others she'd prepared. The longer I went without tasting human food, the harder it was for me to identify ingredients. My palate was more focused on "food" and "not food." I was either lucky or cursed to be a vampire who still enjoyed the smell of food I couldn't consume. Some vampires hated restaurant and food smells.
"Wine?" Irena handed Boz the laminated list.
"I'm still reeling from the ride here," Boz said. Colorbloomed in his cheeks when she grinned knowingly at him.
"First time with bloodsucker?"
He nodded.
"You want drink to keep him off your neck."
I snorted. "I don't drink from humans. You know I get the good stuff from Blood Drive."
"Ah, yes. My smart vampire." She patted my hand. "Rare, but good for humans, eh?"
Boz blushed even harder when she returned her gaze to him. "Yeah."
"You look like good boy." She patted Boz's hand, too. "Dance! I'll be back with roast."
I'd almost forgotten the dancing. My mind was still reeling at Irena's cryptic answers. I must have hurt her feelings with my absence. I had to find a way to make it up to her.
Boz was just as good on the dance floor as he claimed. He knew every step and had perfect rhythm. I soon forgot my troubles with Irena as we whirled through two waltzes and a jazz number.
Boz was winded by the time Irena caught my eye. She and another server were on their way to our table.
"Food's here." I took Boz's hand and led him back to our candlelit corner. As we walked, Irena and the server moved on to another table to deliver their dessert.
"You seem close," Boz said.
"Irena's an old friend." I took a deep breath to ease the guilt lodged in my chest. "She's right, though. I haven't been here in a while."
"Why not?"
That was a good question, one I hadn't contemplated before now. I'd called the restaurant without thinking because it was my favorite place. Irena was a friend. I used to come here to shoot the shit every Monday night, but I'd stopped last Christmas, when they'd been closed for the holiday.
"He is depressed." Irena snuck up behind me, and once again shook her finger in my face. "Good to see him still alive, though," she added under her breath, more for my benefit, since her words were too soft for Boz to hear.
"This date?" she asked, pointing at Boz and then at me.
I nodded.
"Fine. I will not bother you. But next week, you come again, yes? Catch up on old times."
"Yes." How could I deny her anything? She had been my friend longer than Boz had been alive. "I'm sorry," I tacked on hastily as she turned to go. "I'll do better next year."
She snorted and walked away, taking the wine list with her.
CHAPTER 6
BOZ
