Page 1 of Dating A Fae
Chapter 1
Johnny
I didn’t plan on being a virgin at twenty-five. It just sorta happened. In the I-panicked-anytime-someone-tried-to-get-intimate-beyond-kissing kinda way.
Not that twenty-five is old to still be a virgin. And it’s not that I don’t want sex. I do. I find people sexually appealing. I want all the things. Love. Romance. Sex. Happiness. Cuddles. All the cuddles. But it feels impossible.
Here I am, watching a cute guy stir entirely too much sugar into his coffee and not working up the nerve to go talk to him. Who am I to disturb someone’s morning ritual? No one, that’s who. So I stay in line, waiting my turn, keeping my head forward when he turns my way.
The door to Faerie Good Coffee—the best fae run coffee shop in the city—dings again and again as patrons stream in. I take a deep breath of the rich scents of dark roast and pastries.
I love it here. The bright pink and neon orange is such a contrast to other coffee shops I’ve visited. Mismatched tables and chairs fill the dining space.
“Johnny.” Milton, the owner, waves me forward.
I’d stalled out in the middle of the shop, sniffing and trying not to watch the cute guy move from the coffee fixing station to a spot in the corner. He’s brunet and has thick nerd glasses that keep sliding down his nose as he sets up his laptop. I wonder what kind of supernatural he is.
“Johnny,” Milton laughs my name. I shouldn’t hold up the line any longer, so I take the few steps to the counter.
Of course, Milton notices my ogling. He lifts a brow and tips his chin towards Cute Guy. “Should go talk to him.” But Milton grinds his teeth and starts my usual Friday morning order. Because of course I have a different order depending on what day of the week it is. Gotta be that difficult. But Milton knows them all by heart.
“Can’t.” I pull my wallet from my back pocket and hand him my credit card and punch card for free coffee. Only three more to go. “Gotta be in the office in fifteen minutes. Not enough time.”
“Aww, and you took the time to stop here to see little ol’ me.” Milton bats his mile long lashes. They’re thick, framing pretty brown eyes. And yes… Yes, I came here to see Milton. Because I have the biggest crush on him. He’s short and stocky. Some would say he’s got a dad bod. Means there’s more to love. His floppy light brown hair falls into his eyes, and I want to swipe it out of his adorable cherub face. The other guy is cute for sure, but Milton is my dream guy and has been since I was a senior in high school.
“You got the goods.” I lift the to-go cup and breathe in before grabbing the bag of sugar cookies that is my afternoon pick-me-up. He never has many and I buy up all I can without appearing too greedy.
I turn to leave, but Milton says my name again. Which makes goosebumps rise all over my body. “Yeah?”
He makes eye contact for a split second before dropping his gaze. “I wondered if you’d be interested in coming to tonight’s game night? It’s just a few of my friends at the shop. We order pizza and play games until the sun comes up.”
He’s asking me to… to what? My heart slams in my chest. Sweat beads on my forehead. Swallowing, I nod. “Uhm, that sounds like fun. Should I bring anything?”
Milton’s posture straightens, and his eyes glow… literally. For a second anyway. He’s fae, after all. “Really? You’ll come?”
“Yeah?” I hate that it comes out as a question, and I cough into my fist. “Yes. What time should I be here? Do I bring drinks? Snacks? Candy? My own game? What—”
A smile slides onto Milton’s mouth. “Just bring yourself. We’ll have everything else. Eight pm. Casual dress. Wear pajamas if you want.”
“See you tonight.” Holy heck. Did Milton just ask me out? No. No, it’s not a date. Other people will be there. But he specifically asked me.
“Get moving, mister. You’re making everyone drool all over my counter.” Milton shoos me away with a laugh and moves on to the next customer. I’d forgotten about everyone else in the shop.
Before I can turn to leave, Milton flashes me a grin, and I swear my heart skips a beat. There’s a sparkle in his brown eyes. And his dimples pop. I can’t help but wonder if he’s got dimples anywhere else.
When I do head out, everyone is staring at me. I’m tall-ish at five foot ten inches. And most of my fellow supernaturals can see the light I give off as a Will-o’-the-wisp. I’ve gotten used to it over the years. I hunker down, trying to make myself smaller as I walk through the crowd. My limbs are long and lean. I don’t have a six pack, but I spend a bit of time in the gym, or running. Nothing over the top. Working out helps burn off some of the anxiety that courses through me. Plus, it gives me an appetite for more sugar cookies.
Milton’s sugar cookies, to be precise. Nothing else ever comes close. The rich buttery texture. The perfect ratio of rainbow sprinkles throughout. No tube of dough for me ever again. No, sir. Sweets aren’t even usually my thing. Then there’s Milton’s sugar cookies, and I cave. I could eat two dozen on my own and not even care.
My office is only a block over, on the other side of Main Street, and I hoof it. Luckily, it’s not too hot yet in April, and it’s not raining today for once. I could drive, but I only live three blocks away. When it’s nice out, I walk. And Milton’s shop is always on the way to work. I hum into my to-go cup as I take a sip. Somehow, Milton always heats it to the perfect drinking temperature. And the shot of energy he adds helps me get through the day. TGIF.
The fast pace of the coffee shop suits Milton. From what I can tell, he gets the bonus of going home early, too. I kind of envy him for his entrepreneurial spirit. I just don’t have it in me.
I like the structure of working at the accounting firm instead of being my own boss. Not that it matters, since I’m still working towards my Certified Public Accountant license. But if I had to figure out all the back end business stuff while I did my thing, I’d panic. Tax season is over, for the most part, which means I have more free time.
I wave at a passing dog-walker. The corgi’s little legs make me smile, and I watch as he trots away. Milton’s invite put a pep in my step, and I’m at the office and through the door before I know it.
The navy walls and gold accents make the place seem so upscale I don’t feel like I belong. I’m the youngest on staff, still rough around the edges. But Thorton’s CPA Group was the only place willing to take in fresh meat when I graduated with my degree and got great scores on my Uniform CPA Exam.
