Page 6 of It's In His Hiss

I freeze. “Excuse me?”

“Your snakes are pretty upset.” She nods toward the serpents twisting and hissing atop my head, making my scalp itch. “Scary.”

“Ah, right.” I clear my throat, willing my nerves to settle. “They’ll calm down in a bit. I guess you startled them.”

“Is that so?” Alice dabs at her hair, the brown strands slowly regaining their vibrancy with hints of gold as they dry. “What’s the reward if I sit still and don’t cause any more chaos?”

“An espresso?” I suggest, hoping my voice doesn’t betray the flip-flopping ofmy stomach.

“Sounds perfect,” she agrees, her grin lighting up the room.

I press the button on my espresso machine, the familiar hum and aroma a welcome distraction from the storm outside. Alice sits across from me, still swiping at her hair, her story unfolding in staccato bursts between deep breaths.

“The bus was delayed, then the rain started, and before I knew it, I was drenched and ducking into your shop,” she says, laughing nervously. “I knew Screaming Woods was different, but not this different.”

“We don’t get storms like this often,” I reply, keeping my tone light as I watch the espresso drip into the cups. Her voice has a melody that’s easy on the ears, even when detailing mishaps.

“Thank goodness for that,” she muses. “I’m glad I found this place.”

“Me, too.” The words slip out before I can stop them. The snakes seem to calm a little as she smiles at me, their heads weaving closer to her, curious and less threatening.

She doesn’t flinch or scream, which is new. Instead, she tilts her head, observing them with interest. “They’re sort of cute, in a reptilian way.”

“Careful, they’ll get ideas,” I joke, but the laughter dies in my throat when I risk a glance at her. Something about her casual acceptance is like a balm to my isolation.

“Here we go, liquid warmth.” I set down the espressos and slide one toward her. “It’s not much, but it’s got a kick like a mule.”

“Perfect.” She wraps her hands around the cup, and I catch myself staring at the contrast of her pale skin against the dark porcelain.

“Um,” I start, a stutter creeping in, “would you want to grab dinner later? My treat, to make up for the weather… and the chaos.”

Her smile widens, and she nods. “I’d like that, Gordy.”

“Great.” A weight lifts off my chest. The idea of dinner suddenly seems less daunting and more like the next chapter I’ve been waiting to write. “It’s a date.”

“Looking forward to it.”

With those four words, my heart skips a beat, hopeful and terrified in equal measure.

I stand behind the counter, mind racing like a hamster on a wheel. Where do I take Alice for dinner? TheScreaming Woods Diner? Too casual.Marcel’s Mysterious Meats? Too… adventurous. And how will I keep myself together enough to make it through an entire meal?

“Uh, so any preferences for dinner?” I ask, trying to sound nonchalant as I avoid her gaze and fiddle with a book spine.

“Somewhere cozy,” she says, brushing a water droplet off her dress. “I’ve been traveling all day, and I could use a place that’s… inviting.”

“Cozy, right.” My brain does somersaults. Cozy is good. Cozy means less chance of me turning her into a stylish but very permanent statue.

“MaybeThe Howling Crust? It’s got this wood fire pizza that’s…” My voice trails off as my hands start to tremble. Great, putty mode activated.

“Sounds wonderful,” she replies, that same brave smile in place.

Okay, Gordon, you can do this. Don’t think about the snakes. Don’t think about your stony gaze. Just be normal.

“Great!” I manage not to trip over my tongue. That’s a win, right? “I’ll pick you up at seven?”

“Perfect.” She stands, her hair a damp halo around her pretty face. “Thanks again for the coffee and the dry-off. I should head off to find my apartment, I guess.”

“Anytime.” I mean it, too. If she wants to roll in here like a hurricane every day, who am I to stop her?

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