Page 42 of How Not to Date an Angel

Including Julian.

The creature’s belly was white, but the top of him was spotted. When he swam higher up, the reflection of his spotted back was visible in the ripples of the water.

“Sharks like these,” Rami said, much closer than Julian had anticipated. The angel was just over his shoulder. In fact, once he stiffened, he felt the warmth of Rami brushing against his back. “Whale sharks. They’rethebiggest shark,” they continued, unaware.

“Even bigger than great whites?”

“Even so,” Rami answered.

“I think they’re kind of cute,” Julian admitted.

The shark was swimming out of sight again, and the people crowded against the tank shuffled.

After a quiet snap of Julian’s finger, the human next to him decided he’d seen enough of this particular shark, and Rami squeezed into his spot.

His back felt a little cold, but it was nice to see Rami’s expression again.

“Really?” the angel asked, low and smooth. “I think they’re quite cute as well. They’re just gentle giants, really.”

Their gaze slid to Julian, and the demon pursed his lips under those spotlight eyes.

“That so?” he asked.

Rami nodded before turning their attention back to the tank as the shark made his way back to them.

“They eat plankton, so they’re harmless. Great whites, however… humans are terrified of them,” they added softly.

“Why?” Julian asked.

“There were a few cases of shark bites.”

“Yep, that’d do it,” Julian muttered, shaking his head.

“Quite. It spread like wildfire. There were movies and propaganda. Even today, they’re blamed for something that wasn’t even their fault.”

“It wasn’t their fault that they bit some people?” Julian clarified. Sounded like their fault.

“Well, to be fair, the humans are invadingtheirspace. Besides, some researchers say it was a case of mistaken identity.”

When Julian stared at them in confusion, Rami huffed. “They mistook the humans for food.”

Julian snorted and watched the elegant whale shark move through the water. “Well, these guys are really cute. Look at his big mouth. He’s smiling.”

“Maybe he has something to be happy about,” Rami said.

“But these aren’t your favorite? I want to see the otters,” Julian told the angel.

Rami paused, gaze flitting to Julian before skittering away again. “Alright, let’s go this way. I’m sure someone else would like to see the sharks, anyway.”

Julian tried to keep his attention on the tanks they passed, vowing to give each of them a piece of his time on the second lap of the aquarium. More often than not, he was drawn to his unofficial tour guide. The one whose hair practically glowed beneath the lighting, reflecting the blue of the water off their silvery hair.

But if he hadn’t been staring at the angel so much, he wouldn’t have been able to watch them bite down on their lip to quell a smile as they entered the otter room.

Squealing kids ran around as the parents tried to corral them into paying attention; meanwhile, running water and splashing echoed in the background.

But not from the rowdy children.

The enclosure was filled with tan, rocky scenery, and a pool of clear water behind more glass, where six fuzzy, slithery little guys played.

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