Page 1 of Love is Trash in Hallow's Cove

Chapter one

Hayley

Iwanttofucka monster.

Well, really, I want to date a monster. Then fall in love and have babies and live happily ever after with them. It’s all I’ve dreamed about since I heard about Hallow’s Cove—the adorable coastal mountain town that’s home to many monsters.

At this point, I’d settle for getting laid. Or even a quick kiss. Maybe a brush of a tail against my thigh. A heated glance. Anything to reassure me I’m on the right path.

The clink of glasses draws my eye down the bar to where the bartender is chatting with a trim fifty-something man who came in a few minutes ago. He’s not really my type, but I still give him a surreptitious scan. His eyes are a preternatural gold behind his glasses and his forearms are pretty damn hairy, so I’m betting he’s some kind ofshifter.

For a second, I imagine what it would feel like for those ropey, furred arms to wrap around me and press my body to his, and there’s a flicker of interest inside me—until he shifts and his collar tugs down enough for me to see the clear outline of a mating bite.

Damn. I slump down a bit on my stool with a sigh and down the watery remains of the cocktail I’ve been nursing for the last hour.

The striking gorgon bartender notices me looking her way, her hair snakes turning to eye me before she does, and a slight frown settles on her lips. I immediately straighten up, smiling brightly at her as she approaches.

I’ve tried chatting Harley up in the handful of times I’ve come to her bar, but she only gives me gruff, monosyllabic answers. But maybe tonight’s the night that will change!

Sure, she didn’t seem to be a huge fan of me pointing out the mere letter difference in our names when we first met, and yeah, her snakes scare me a little, but she’s so pretty and I’m running out of options.

It’s dead in here right now, so she really doesn’t have any excuse to not talk to me tonight. If I can just get a conversation going, I bet I’ll find a way to charm her, snakes and all.

She steps in front of me and my cheeks heat a little as I watch her full lips part before she speaks. God, she’s gorgeous. So much prettier than my ex, Sandy. I bet Harley wouldn’t cheat on me with my boss and get me fired for no reason and turn all my friends against me and—

Harley clears her throat, and I startle.

“Refill?”

“Oh! Sure!” I smile at her, propping my elbow on the bar and resting my chin on my hand while leaning forward a bit to better show off how nice my tits look in this dress. She doesn’t look down, but she’s probably being polite and not staring at a customer’s boobs. Though, it’s a little disappointing that none of her hair snakes sneak a peek either. They fascinate me. Do they each have unique personalities? Do they get tangled? Do they bite?

Harley nods and turns to make my drink, and I realize my opportunity is slipping away.

“Wait!”

All of her snakes snap to look up in my direction, which is more than a little intimidating. Harley cocks a brow at me in confusion, and I try to give her my best cute, doe-eyed look.

“Do you have any recommendations for a different drink? I love trying new things, and I’m sure you get tired of making the same boring margaritas and martinis all the time.”

She shrugs and her snakes relax against her shoulders. “It’s my job.”

That was three words. Two more than usual! You’re doing it, Hayley, keep going!

“And you’re great at it,” I say, leaning forward even more.

This time her eyes do drop to my boobs and one of her snakes makes a small hiss.

Yes! Success. I think?

“Uh, thanks. I don’t know how to tell you this—”

My heart flutters. Oh wow, is this where she confesses that she’s been watching me since the first time I came to the bar, and she can’t hold back any longer from confessing her blazing attraction to me? I don’t know if gorgons have mate bonds, but damn, being Harley’s mate would be amazing. I can just tell she’d be a great partner from how well she takes care of her patrons and her snakes. So much more caring than stupid Sandy.

“You can tell me anything,” I murmur, looking up at her through my lashes.

“You’re getting wet,” she deadpans.

My eyes widen at her blunt assessment. “How can you tell?” I squeak.

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