Page 80 of Starry with a Chance of Nightshade

Stratton drew back and released my hand. He took the items from Marvin. “Thank you.”

“No problem,” said Marvin. “Enjoy your night, and might I suggest you hurry up and leave before my wife decides she’s not done reading Astria the riot act?”

I grabbed Stratton by his shirt. “Get in the truck, Stratton. Now!”

Laughing, he dipped his head and kissed the tip of my nose before handing me the flowers and my cap. “Sorry again about today.”

Marvin nodded and went back into the café, heading off Peggy, who was right there.

I took the flowers, looking from Peggy to Stratton. “All is forgiven if we gorightnow. That woman scares me.”

His lips twitched as he led me to the passenger side of his truck. He opened the door for me. “What do you like to eat?”

“I’m not picky,” I responded. “Most of my meals come from gas stations because I’m always on the move. I pretty much live off beef sticks, canned stew, and nachos.”

He cocked his head to the side slightly. “Always on the move? Why is that?”

I tensed, my gaze going to the inside of his truck. What was I doing? I shouldn’t be hanging out with a cop. If he was going to pry it wouldn’t end well for me. “I’m actually kind of tired. Thank you for the offer of dinner. Sorry about what happened inside.”

He stayed close to me. “There is nothing to be sorry for. And I was just trying to make conversation. You don’t have to answer anything you don’t want to answer. We good?”

I glanced up at him, biting my inner cheek as I did. “This, you and I, is a really, really bad idea.”

“I disagree.”

I arched a brow.

He flashed a thousand-watt smile, nearly making me melt then and there. “I promise that nothing you say to me will get you in any trouble.”

“Cool, so now would be a great time to admit I’m a serial killer, right?” I asked, suppressing a grin.

“Perfect time, yes,” he said, somehow managing to look hotter. “How many kills do you have under your belt?”

“Too many to count,” I said, the truth of the statement not being lost on me. Though my body count happened to be comprised fully of monsters and demons. Not humans. “Basically, I leave a trail of dead behind me wherever I go.”

He shrugged. “Same.”

I did laugh at that. “You’re all right for a cop.”

“Thanks.” He motioned to the seat. “Your chariot awaits.”

I let him help me in and then buckled up as he walked briskly around to the driver’s side. He hopped in, set my backpack in the backseat of the truck, and we were pulling out of the parking area before I knew it. I still couldn’t believe I was pretty much on a date with a police officer.

“I’m just kind of driving,” he said. “I have no clue what to feed you. I can’t say I’ve ever been in this position before. Normally, I’m sure of all my moves. With you, I’m basically winging it.”

I smiled and brought the lilies to my face, smelling them. “I’m never sure of anything I do. Welcome to my world.”

He tapped the wheel lightly, his thumb going repeatedly to his ring finger, to where a ring would be.

Gripping the flowers tighter, I sat there a moment before I went ahead and asked what I’d worry about all evening if I didn’t get an answer. “Are you married?”

Stratton jerked the wheel some and then righted the vehicle quickly, his gaze whipping to me. “I’m sorry, what? Did you just ask if I’m married?”

“Yes,” I responded, on pins and needles as I awaited his response.

“No. I’m not. I wouldn’t have asked you out if I was,” he said. “And I wouldn’t have, um…”

“Made out with me at my new job?” I offered.

---