Page 4 of Lessons with the Mothman

"It's different," I said. Which was also what Rafe and our other friend Khell said about their own accidentally arranged matings with clients Astraeya had paired them with. That Hannah and Sunny were just…different. "You know I like the cerebral cases. But we should involve the Agency. I may be a freelancer, but if she wants demonstrations, hiring through the company would be an easy resource."

"We'll risk pricing her out, but it would curb any complaint the Agency might have about me referring you," Astraeya said, relaxing at last and nodding.

"I'll waive my fee," I said, shrugging, trying not to make my eagerness too obvious. I was likely failing, or Rafe remembered too well the conversation I'd had with him almost a year ago, because he was staring at me fiercely.

I'd like to try it…falling in love.

I'd expected it to be easy—pick a client, get to know them, enjoy a frenzy of sex, discover…emotions of some sort. If Rafe and Khell could manage it, surely I could. But there was a missing ingredient, and no matter how I quizzed my friends, they offered no explanation. Or at least not ones that offered tangible solutions.

"You haven't even met her yet," Rafe said, a thread of caution in the words.

Which was true. My expectations were premature. Perhaps that was my problem? Khell and Rafe hadn't beenseekinglove when they met their mates. It had struck them unexpectedly. I frowned over this potential muddle. Perhaps there was a cupid somewhere in Chicago I could discuss the intricacies of the process with.

"I'll pitch your offer to the Agency, and we'll arrange a meeting," Astraeya said. She pointed a perfectly manicured acid yellow nail in my face and narrowed her eyes. "Don'tdo anything until I tell you."

I raised my hands in innocence. "Wouldn't dream of it."

"So,how many hours did you spend last night scouring your potential new client's social media?" Rafe asked the next day, settling down on a bar stool across from where I was counting inventory.

I scowled at him. I hated doing inventory. Generally, I had my vampire night manager do the task after closing. Today, I was in the mood to be annoyed and disagreeable.

"None," I said, which was technically the truth.

"Restrained of you. I would've peeked. What was her name again?" Rafe asked.

"Shouldn't you be cooking?" I volleyed back.

"Chefs have to eat too," Rafe answered. His kitchen wasn't far away from Nightlight, my bar, and it wasn't the first time he'd come to visit when he needed a break or someone to brainstorm flavors with.

"Isn't the point of being a chef to cook food? You can make your own lunch," I muttered.

"No one likes to cooktheir ownfood. And Hannah's on her way to meet me here," Rafe said.

I straightened at that. Rafe's mate was fascinating. A couple years into her life as a werewolf, the daughter of rock royalty, Hannah was decidedly…cool. She was quiet, watchful, and stylish. She and Rafe seemed startlingly different from one another, until suddenly, they stood shoulder to shoulder, magnetically attracted to one another and existing in a kind of harmony that made sense for two people whose work revolved around flavors and music. Compared to our other mated pair of friends, Sunny and Khell, Rafe and Hannah's romance was subtle, their touches casual and secretive, but the looks they gave one another were no less potently loaded with private meaning.

Also, Hannah happened to be one of the only people I couldn't get a read on when it came to drinks. Every time I made her something unique, her thanks was polite and her response mild. What was herflavor, damnit? If Rafe knew, he had too much fun keeping it from me.

"Victoria…Dennis? Davis?" Rafe continued to puzzle. "I bet I could ask Astraeya."

Astraeya would tell him to mind his own business, but— "Dempsey. But don't bother. There's no sign of her anywhere online."

"Picsapp account is private?"

"As far as I can tell, it doesn't even exist."

Rafe's eyebrows rose, and his smile crooked at the corner. "Ahh, I see. That's gotta be…"Frustrating, annoying, surprising, I thought. "…Exciting for you," Rafe finished.

"Exciting?" I repeated, antennae twitching at the suggestion.

Rafe nodded, grinning now. "You love a mystery. And you think social media is asinine. Now, when you want it to work for you, it can't."

"It doesn't matter. Astraeya got approval from the Agency. She's setting up a meeting." I would meet Victoria Dempsey soon enough. I turned away from Rafe, studying the array of bottles on my shelves. "Will Hannah want a mocktail or cocktail?"

"Hannah will want toordera drink," Rafe said. "She's funny like that, wanting to make choices for herself."

I huffed. A mocktail to start. Something smoky this time, subtle. I would solve the mystery sooner or later.

CHAPTER 2

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