Page 8 of Shifting Hearts

“It’s a date,” she replies, kissing my cheek and skipping off the elevator to her apartment before disappearing inside.

Chapter Seven

Akasha LaVey

Work, Work, Work

It’s been a week since I moved to the city, and I can honestly say I haven’t regretted a single moment. I spend my time either working or exploring with Korvin. He shows me his favorite places and we discover new ones together.

The Gin Room is always filled with new and interesting characters, and I quickly make a few new friends.

“Hey, girlie,” Ari says as she hops onto the bar.

I smile brightly. “Hey. What have you been up to?”

“Just running some errands for the boss,” she says pointing at the floor above us. “You?”

“Not much, just some exploring.”

I leave out the part about doing this with Korvin. I have a feeling he wouldn’t want people knowing his business. He hasn’t said anything to me, but I have learned to trust my gut feelings a long time ago.

“I hope you are enjoying the city,” she says with a smile. “I wanted to show you around, but things have been a little hectic.”

She blushes and I feel a strange wave of affection for her.

“Don’t worry about it,” I say, patting her knee. “I am seeing tons of stuff. But maybe we can get together for a movie or a girls’ night?”

“Heck, yes!” she exclaims. “We are both off tomorrow night. Let’s go have some fun.”

I laugh at her enthusiasm. “Sounds like a plan to me.”

Ari disappears into the back grabbing some extra glasses for the bar as we finish setting up. Slowly people start trickling in.

“You’re new,” a voice says behind me as I grab a beer forsomeone down the bar.

I stare at the man before me. Tall and athletic, dressed in a black suit with a blood red tie, dark hair, sharp features, and an air of danger. To be honest, he is also starkly beautiful, and I can’t help but stare.

“Malichai!” Ari calls out from her end. “Stop picking on the staff.”

“Ari,” he purrs, turning his dark gaze on her. “When will you give in and let me be your man?”

She sneers at the cover model in front of me. “When hell freezes over.”

He laughs with his head thrown back. All the while I am trying to figure what the hell is going on. I’m not sure how I feel about my only acquaintance disliking this man so much. Her entire demeanor has changed, the air around her charged with something I can’t quite put my finger on. Turning my attention back to him, I wait.

“Don’t judge me on Ari’s reaction,” he says softly. “But know that I messed up and her anger is righteous.”

He looks sad as the words fall from his lips and I can’t help but wonder what happened. “What can I get you?”

“Vodka rocks.”

It takes me a moment to get his order. Once I return, I see the longing in his eyes as he tracks every move she makes.

“Have you tried talking to her?” I ask, leaning closer.

“We are too different. Things were bound to end badly,” he says, turning his attention to me. “The worst thing is we both knew it was a bad idea and went ahead with it anyway.”

“The heart wants what the heart wants,” I say with a small smile, meaning every word.

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