Page 88 of Marked By Night

Emma laughs again, setting the tag under the engraver. While it’s doing its thing, she turns back toward me, her blue eyes sparkling. “Liam, who?”

“Finally, someone who understands my love for the superior brother,” I say, tucking my hands into my pockets. Ash is a huge Liam fan, especially after he and Miley ended. She thinks she has a shot with him now. Yeah right.

Emma gives me a once-over like she’s only now seeing me fully. “You know, I don’t think I’ve seen you around town before. Did you move here recently?”

Her question makes me freeze for a moment. Thankfully, I’m used to having to be quick on my feet and recover quickly. Then I figure what harm could it do to tell her the truth. I’ll probably never see her again anyway.

“Um, yeah. About a week ago.”

Her face lights up in excitement. “Nice! I’m always looking for new friends to hang out with. Being this close to Gatlinburg, we get lots of tourists, but we don’t get many newcomers who stay around here.”

“Yeah, I’m sure that makes it tough to make friends.”

She sighs. “It doesn’t help that most of the ones who do live around here are rude and plain awful.” She sighs, not seeming so chipper anymore. “But don’t let my problems burden you. I’m sure you’ll find friends you can click with!”

My lips purse and I give her a small head nod. For some reason, this girl tugs on my heartstrings, but I don’t know anything about her, so I don’t say anything else while she finishes up Hemsworth’s tag.

I know I’m probably being cheesy because he’s an ancient being that can talk but putting that little tag on his blue collar is cathartic for me. He’s my familiar and now I have something everyone can read that proves it.

Even Hemsworth himself seems excited about it. Ever since I leaned down and attached it to his collar, he’s been wagging his tail nonstop with a little more pep in his step.

Emma looks up at me from the cash register as I’m finishing paying. “Excuse me if this is too forward but, I’m wondering if you’d like to grab a coffee with me sometime? As I said, all the girls around here are awful, and I—I could use a friend.”

I mean technically the guys never said I couldn’t make friends with humans, but do I want to invite her into my life?

With everything going on it’s probably a terrible idea and yet, the sad expression on her face paired with those hopeful blue eyes, makes my mouth dry.

Just say no. I clear my throat, open my mouth to do that, and her face falls like she can sense the direction of my thoughts. Dammit all to hell.

“Sure! I’d love to.” I cringe as the words come out of my mouth.

Nice going, Sadie.Invite the human into your life. That’s smart. You already have Ash to protect and now you’re going to drag another into your life? Sure.

Hemsworth makes a chuffing sound that sounds suspiciously like a fucking laugh. I shoot him a glare that shuts him up.

Emma squeals, jumping up and down as she hands me my receipt. Guilt makes my chest tighten. What the hell did I do?

“We’re going to have so much fun, I just know it! Here, let me give you my number.” She pulls a pen out of her apron, which is also blue, and scribbles on the back of my receipt.

Moments later the doorbell chimes and in walks Vin. Time seems to slow down as the door closes behind him and he reaches up to tuck a stray piece of hair into his brown man bun.

Our eyes lock across the store and all my thoughts seem to abandon me in favor of checking him out. He’s a little more casual today, in a button-up that highlights his toned arms and a pair of low-slung jeans across his hips. He seems as interested in me as I am him as he crosses the store.

Until Emma clears her throat and it snaps us out of our trance. “Damn, girl! Your boyfriend is an inferno on the hotness scale. I’m pretty sure I need to go mop up my drool.”

“Oh, he’s not—”

“Ready to go, Sadie?” Vin interrupts, looking between us curiously as he practically rushes me out the door.

“I guess I’ll see you around,” I say, giving Emma a small wave.

She grins at me. “Absolutely, if you need anything, feel free to text me!”

“Will do!” I call out over my shoulder as we exit the pet shop.

When we’re out of sight and earshot I turn to Vin. “What was that all about?”

He shrugs, looking sheepish. “I could smell the pheromones wafting off her and I figured it was better not to give her any ideas since I’m not interested.”

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