Page 9 of Cursed Touch
As Georgia meandered through the shop, the customer brought Vanessa the earrings and necklace set she had been eyeing for her mother. Vanessa did her best not to hurry the woman along, but she was all that was between them and dinner. She walked her to the door and turned the sign to closed.
Within fifteen minutes, Vanessa closed out and they were hurrying to the steak house two blocks over.
“You did not eat a snack, did you?” Georgia asked as they almost jogged down the sidewalk.
“Girl, I was swamped before I could even think to grab a bite.”
“Nice!”
The hostess took them to their table right away, thanks to Georgia’s brilliant idea of calling ahead. A teen came by almost immediately with a basket of rolls and butter before slipping away.
Vanessa dove into the basket and bit off a chunk of bread. Her eyes shut with ecstasy as soon as the warm bread touched her tongue. When someone cleared their throat, her eyes popped open and caught Georgia’s amused expression.
Georgia leaned forward. “I’m glad to see nothing’s changed, but if you’re not careful, you’re going to make some of these men pop wood, and last I checked, this is a family establishment.”
Vanessa giggled at her friend’s words and the serious tone she used to deliver them. “Sorry, I’m just seriously starving.”
“I told you to get a snack…”
“Like I said, I tried but got so busy I wasn’t able to sneak away for a bite,” she said around a mouthful of bread.
Georgia took pity on her and shared some of her trip, and Vanessa spoiled her dinner with bread. They put in their orders, and by the time the food arrived, her stomach was settled. It had been too long since they shared a meal, but it would only become harder when they found their someone and settled.
Vanessa pushed her plate forward, too full to finish the steak and roasted potatoes. Looking around the restaurant, she spotted a couple smiling as their fingers interlaced on the tablecloth. Blushing at their show of intimacy, her gaze landed on a man who placed a nearly raw piece of steak in his mouth.
She gasped when his eyes flashed yellow gold in the dim light, before his now-dark orbs met hers.
“What?” Georgia asked, her brows knitting as she searched the restaurant.
Vanessa shook her head. “I-I don’t know… I swear that man’s eyes flashed red.”
Her friend sat straighter and paused when she met the man’s gaze. For a moment, she thought she heard a guttural vibration emanate from Georgia, but before she could analyze it, the sound ended.
“He looks normal to me. Maybe what you saw was blood oozing from his steak.”
Vanessa peeked at the table but found both the man and his companion were gone. “Weird,” she muttered.
“What?” Georgia asked.
“He’s gone… They’re gone,” she said, noticing both plates were nearly clean of food.
“Good riddance. Now, tell me what else has gone on since I saw you last. Have you learned for yourself what Finn has to offer?” she asked of Vanessa’s neighbor as she waggled her brows suggestively.
Vanessa choked on her sip of wine. “Eww… I’m not sure I want to catch whatever he’s offering.”
“Don’t you want to release some of that tension?”
“Don’t you have the same problem?” Vanessa replied.
Georgia sighed. “I do, and I sure as hell wish I could find the right guy to help me with it.”
A woman walking past their table gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as her cheeks reddened.
Vanessa mouthed her apology and gave her friend a look of warning. “Well, I guess we’re both in the same boat… Wait, what about the guy from your gym? Patrick, Paul, Pacey—”
Georgia chuckled. “Peter?”
“Yeah, him. I thought you were all hot for him.”
