Page 37 of Hostile Holiday

“Meh, when I find a guy who wants me as I am. Everyone around here has an agenda and wants me darker, thinner, bustier, or what have you. They all declare they are willing to settle, and I don’t want someone who settles. I want someonewho wants me as I am and is willing to deal with what I change into. So... an imaginary man.”

Orla laughed and hugged her. “I am trying to figure out how to accept that I want Hunter but more in his four-footed form.”

“Man versus fur. The eternal struggle.” Emery opened the door, and they walked back into the diner. There was a ding, and Emery peeled off to get their orders from the kitchen.

Orla saw Hunter sitting next to the hulking man who had crossed the street to the diner and paused. Emery came by with her arms laden with food and grinned. “Have a seat.”

Emery preceded her and said, “Row, get your ass out of the lady’s seat and scoot in next to your buddy.”

The gym bro growled and said, “Who do you think you are talking to?”

“The mound of meat who is disrupting a first date.”

“Watch it, cupcake.” He growled.

Orla stomped forward. “Be nice to her, or I will kick your ass, butthead. I have coughed up scarier stuff than you.”

The man blinked and got up, moving to sit next to Hunter. Hunter was grinning with a lot of exposed teeth.

Orla slid into the booth, and her food was delivered a few seconds later. Hunter got his, and to her surprise, a giant bowl of salad was dropped in front of Hunter’s friend.

Orla chuckled, and Emery winked. “Don’t worry, Row. That’s on the house to keep your mouth occupied.”

She smiled. “Enjoy, Orla. Hunter, it was nice meeting you.”

Emery left them, and Orla was facing her chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes with glee.

She dove in and was stuffing her face before Hunter asked, “You aren’t curious about my friend?”

She shrugged. “Do I have to fuck him or kill him?”

Hunter paused. “No.”

“Then I don’t care. I love this and haven’t been able to afford it in ages. You two talk, and I will eat.”

Hunter chuckled and picked up his burger. “This is Rowen. He is the avatar of autumn.”

Orla looked at the thickly muscled and devastatingly handsome man. “Pleased to meet you.”

“You seem remarkably unimpressed, miss.”

She shrugged. “I have one avatar; I don’t need another.”

“What are you that you are not impressed?”

Orla mumbled around mashed potatoes and gravy. “I am a star who came to Earth and was born here. I just found Hunter, or he found me, and we clicked. So, why should I be impressed with you?”

He blinked. “You are... a star?”

Hunter kept eating. “She is, Rowen. I have seen it. She also has a lot of magical skill for someone who hasn’t properly used it before.”

Orla looked at the huge bowl in front of him. “Aren’t you going to eat your salad?”

He looked at it and frowned. “This is her joke. I once mentioned that she should watch her diet and perhaps she could put on some muscle, and ever since, I have been getting this when I am here.”

Orla snorted. “Boy, you are not smart.”

“She could use some toning. It would improve her health and stamina.”

---