Page 7 of To Cuddle A Gremlin

CHAPTER 4

Kazmier: Dude I am so sorry I went AWOL

Kazmier: Sh*t went down, and I left my tablet at work

Crash: No worries. Well maybe a little. Everything okay?

Kazmier: Just family chaos.

Crash: You’re back now. So all good.

Kazmier: Anything interesting happen?

Crash: *shrug* I messed around on my farm.

Kazmier: Crash, babe. I’m sorry.

Crash: I had life stuff too, and I didn’t want to be a burden.

Kazmier: Dish. Tell Daddy Kaz all your concerns.

Crash: Uhhh. Well, if you don’t call yourself that, I will fill you in.

Kazmier: Right, right. Not your scene. Tell me all.

Crash: I have a date.

After fixing Adam’s computer problem, Isadore strutted into the café. “Hi there. My name is Isadore, and I have a date with the sweet and perfect Sebastian.”

“Isadorable! You did it! Oh my God!” Harry clapped his hands together loudly, disturbing the rest of the clientele in the quiet café.

“Harry, calm down and let Isadore sit.” Charles, their quieter third, pushed Harry back to his seat. Returning his attention to Isadore, Charles arched an eyebrow. “That was fast. I thought you were going to walk him home.”

“Adam needed help at the Centre. Apparently, Trey did something to the computers, or Isaac did and borked them in ways humans can't comprehend.”

“Cryptids and human-made computers are not meant to go hand in hand. I hope you explained how magic and technology don’t mix.” Charles sighed. “Anyway, going back to your date; be nice to Sebastian. Stay calm and relaxed. He’s super shy with anyone new. Gran says he can be quite funny once he lets down his guard.”

“Your Gran knows him? From the library?” Isadore sat forward and threw his attention at Charles. This was gold.

“Yes, from the library. Where else would we meet him? It’s the fucking library. It’s a gathering place for everyone,” Charles said bluntly, before running a hand over his head. “If you act like you do on any of your other dates, this one will fail before you sit. So, chill out and let Sebastian lead.”

“I am an excellent date. People tell me I’m a great companion. I’m smooth. I’m cool. I really want this to work out so much.” Isadore slumped in his chair and groaned. “Charles, he’s so sweet and kind.”

“And if all you know about him is what he appears to be, I imagine he knows less than you do. Have you told him what sort of cryptid you are?” Charles asked. Isadore shook his head. They hadn’t had much of a conversation yet. “Take it slow. Let this, whatever it is, grow organically. And for Gods’ sake, try not to be so dramatic.”

Crossing his arms in front of his chest, Isadore admitted defeat. Charles was right. Everything about this was new territory, and Sebastian was so of a much a shy spirit that Isadore couldn’t just capture him in a globe. “Okay, okay. I will be charming and quiet, and I definitely won’t move my arms.”

“You should be fine then.” Charles relaxed. “I am invested in this now. So, seriously, don’t fuck up.”

“I know! Believe me, I know.” Isadore waved away Charles’s admonitions before opening his laptop. He had a computer problem to solve, and he always did his best work in the presence of his friends. Neither Charles nor Harry minded being second fiddle to his vocation. It was all part and parcel of being part of the gremlin family. He could tinker around with mechanics like nobody’s business and still listen to the conversations flowing around.

As he twisted his hair back and away from his face, Isadore thought about his date with Sebastian. For all of his bravado and confidence, Isadore accepted Sebastian’s initial discomfort would be part of their date. He had witnessed quite a few of Sebastian’s moments of frozen anxiety. When he first watched Sebastian come to the diner, waves of stress wafted off the tall man. His shoulders had been rigid, and his gaze remained straight ahead. Isadore had been struck dumb by Sebastian’sstrength and determination. Despite how uncomfortable he appeared every time he visited the café, Sebastian made an effort to sit and have his lunch. His demeanor was professional, and he chatted politely with the staff, but he never made eye contact with any of the restaurant guests. Once the waitstaff took his order, his shoulders dropped. The longer he observed, the more Sebastian became relaxed and started making small talk with the servers. Isadore had been so proud and thus began his plot to learn more about his shy and pretty librarian.

Isadore and Charles discussed the best spots to go and ideas for places to take Sebastian if they managed to go beyond shy smiles and waves. Harry’s ideas had been so over-the-top Isadore forbade from any more suggestions. Tomorrow was an initial date to allow Sebastian to see that Isadore was a worthy person. It had to go well.

As Isadore managed to solve the crisis at the new Cryptid Centre, the café emptied itself around him, leaving him the sole customer.

Tony fell into the seat beside Isadore and nudged him with his knee. “You know you have an office at your own place, right?”

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