Page 22 of The Vampire's Mate

I wasn’t about to letthatgo. “You looked me up?”

They swallowed and cast their eyes down. “You looked familiar, that’s all.”

“Okay, pin that—we’ll come back to it. Point is, I’m used to crowdsmuchbigger than this.”

“This isn’t helping, Ryder.”

“Let me finish, Shi Baby.” With a cocky smirk at their groan, I continued, “I met my ex for dinner right before my first shift here. Because she’salwayshad perfect timing, she handed me papers to terminate my parental rights.”

Shi gawked, but I held a hand up to stop them from interrupting.

“I was a wreck that night, to put it lightly. I was spilling drinks and dropping shakers like you wouldn’t believe. My friend gave me the same out that I gave you. So don’t feel guilty about taking it. We all need a break now and then.” I donned my heart-stopping smile yet again, and Shi’s blush deepened. “Even viral, contest-winning bartenders like me.”

They rolled their eyes and smacked me with a towel. “You’re so self-absorbed.”

“But I made you smile. So I’ll take the win.”

The conversation lulled as I took another order and began mixing drinks. Shi continued to watch, worrying their bottom lip.

“Spit it out, Shi Baby.”

“Fuck, that’s going to stick, isn’t it?” they muttered. Then, they raised their voice. “Would you tell me about them sometime?”

“Who?”

“Your kid. Your face lit up when you talked about them.” The corner of Shi’s mouth kicked up into a grin. “I’d love to know what the TikTok-famous Ryder Clark is like as a dad.”

“So youhavelooked me up!”

“Yeah, yeah, laugh all you want.”

It was their turn to handle a customer, and I observed as they effortlessly carried a conversation with her, mixing her a drink with newfound confidence.

“Have a drink with me one night,” I said once they had finished. “I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”

“As in a d-date? I thought you were?—”

“Not as a date,” I clarified. “As two new friends getting to know each other.”

“I think I’d actually like that.”

As I turned back to make drinks again, Shiloh nervously called my name. “I’m sorry, by the way.”

“What for?”

“Y-your friend. Everyone within spitting distance of Salem knows about the fire.”

I shifted uncomfortably. Right, the fire: otherwise known as the cover story for Dani’s death. Before Shiloh could see an ounce of vulnerability in my eyes, I schooled my features and gave them a sad smile. “Thanks, Shi.”

The crowd thinned further as the night wore on. It was after two when I saw the last person out and locked the door behind them. I returned to my spot behind the bar and began cleaning.

Shi let out a sigh of relief. “Thank G—oh, fuck me!” They jumped out of their skin and clasped a hand to their chest. “Where did you come from?”

James slid his arms around my waist.

“He does that a lot,” I said, wiggling in his arms as he nuzzled my neck.

“I thought I warned you about flirting with the staff,” he whispered against my sensitive skin.

---