Page 24 of Purple Scales & Coffee Tales

“Like a date?”Shut up, Maeve!

The way he fidgeted on the spot, I was sure Taran would have blushed a deep burning crimson. “Yeah,” he eventually bit out, looking mortified at his own brashness.

You want to date me?I mean I might be thick at times but he had definitely been flirting with me.But dating?

“I had an extremely long day and I am super tired, so I’d rather not go out tonight.” His face fell at my words, so I hurried on. “Why don’t you come upstairs, though? We wanted to watch one of our favourite shows—it just got a new season—and have some popcorn.”Let’s cuddle on the couch?

“Oh. No, I wouldn’t want to intrude, I—”

“Scales?” I nudged him with my elbow and got him to look at me. “Stay. Please.”

He insisted on carrying my shopping bag upstairs and into the kitchen. Seeing Taran in our flat was so bloody strange but I would have lied if I had said I didn’t like him there.

“Be right back. There’s ice cream in the bag. Could you put that in the freezer for me, please?”

I heard him rummage as I left for the bathroom to wash my hands, then went to Tiff’s room.

“Babes, I’m sorry,” she blurted out when I shut the door behind me.

I pressed my finger to my lips. “He’s in the kitchen!”

Tiff clapped a hand over her mouth, blanching comically. “I’m sorry. I swear it was just a joke. Shit, I hope he’s not mad at me, or you are? OMG, you hate me, right?”

“I don’t hate you! But come on, I totally told you about him. No need to make him so uncomfortable.”

You never said he was a Dragon.” She mouthed the last word.

“Does it matter? I like him.”

Dashing over to me, Tiff flung her arms around my neck. “Oh babes, he likes you, too. Oh my God, that’s so romantic!”

“Is itokay if he watches someAsh Soulwith us?”

“Are you sure you want us there? Vaughn and I just said we could stay in our rooms. You know I have these amazing noise-cancelling headphones, and he gets so deep into hyperfocus, the world could end without him noticing.”

I snorted. “I’m sure. Come on. Let’s not keep him waiting.”

Taran had his phone in hand when we entered the kitchen. “Hi again,” he nervously greeted Tiff.

“Hey. Listen, I’m sorry about earlier. I can be a sarcastic bitch sometimes.”

Taran chuckled. “Apology accepted. Sorry for crashing your evening. I was just in the area and… Anyway, I hope it’s okay that I ordered some food for us? I just realised I haven’t eaten all day and I don’t want to raid your fridge.”

Scales! Stop it with the cuteness already!

“Oh God, yeah. We never say no to free food, do we?”

“Nope,” Vaughn agreed from the door, sauntering in, absentmindedly fondling the tip of his thick tail. “What did you get for us? Hey, mate. I’m Vaughn.” He let go of his tail and held his hand out to Taran.

“Taran.” They shook hands, then Mr Hot Ass Dragon turned to look at me. “Oh, uh, remember that restaurant you told me you’d never been to?”

“Hosier’s?” I gaped at him.

“Yes, that’s the place. I was going to take you there this evening, to see what all the fuss was about. But I thought if we’re not going there, why not bring the food to us?”

“Do they even deliver? I thought they were a dine-in restaurant,” Tiff asked him, her head tilted to the side.

“They don’t.” Taran gave her his shy smile, making me melt a little. “My driver picks the food up for us.”

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