Page 46 of Infernal Hearts

“The good Doctor Blackwell. Always to the rescue.”

I look down at the ground, still struggling to take the compliment—not that it means any less. “I guess so. Fatal flaw.”

“Let’s hope not.” He smiles, and his leg rubs against mine under the table.

My breath hitches in my throat for a split second. I struggle to get back to my train of thought. “Tell me a secret. One that you’ve never told anyone.”

“That would defeat the purpose of a secret, wouldn’t it?”

“Aw, come on. Who am I gonna tell? I doubt the cats I neuter every day are listening while I’m working.”

He crosses his arms. He gives me intense, direct eye contact. “Fine. Levi is my last name.”

“Okay, Bond James Bond. What’s your first name?”

“It’s Samuel. Samuel J. Levi. And now you know something my best friend doesn’t even know.”

I can’t help but go with my first instinct to give him shit. “You? Friends? Never.”

“Very funny, but I’m a surprisingly private person. The less people know about me, the better. I’m showy when it counts, but I enjoy being in the background.”

“I can respect that.” And I do. Because I’ve never been the life of the party in my entire life, nor do I want to. “Can you tell me more about your friend?”

He looks out the window, eyes focused on the night but mind completely somewhere else. “I don’t even know where to start. Rani’s a gorgon. Long black writhing hair, sunglasses to hide her reptilian eyes, and the sharpest tongue I’ve ever met. But, even though she can be mean as all get out, she’s my person. She’ll just as soon roast you as quickly as she’ll do anything to help you. If she likes you, that is.”

I grin at the way he describes her. “She sounds like a handful.”

“She’s a cement truck full. But I love her anyway.”

I pause, considering how vulnerable he’s being with me, and in this moment I just wish there were a way I could pay him back for all of this honesty. This is the realest I’ve ever seen him be, and it’s honestly the best part of him. No pretense. No showboating. Just…real.

My voice comes out differently than how I expected—rich with emotion. “Thank you for telling me all of this.”

“You’re welcome.” And he smiles earnestly. “I like being honest with you. But your turn, one secret.”

“I don’t know. I think I’ve been a pretty open book. But I guess I could tell you that my dad’s been practicing magic for my entire life. He was training me to take over for him one day, which is how I got into it. Said that I always had a ‘healing touch.’”

His smile turns into a wicked grin, lips parting slightly and head lifting to expose his soft neck. “Your touch does more than heal, I can tell you that much.”

My ears grow hot, and I pull at my collar—suddenly it feels hot in here. “We’re here as friends, remember? Stop trying to make things dirty.”

“I’m just stating the obvious. From experience.” He winks, which doesn’t do anything for the hardness growing in my jeans.

Our food comes, and I’m not sure what Osteria Mozza is like, but from the look on Levi’s face? He’s in heaven. Gino’s Restaurant is the best and always will be for me. No amount of money in the world could ever change that.

We eat, sharing stories, laughing until we’re the last ones in the building except for the server who’s looking at us expectantly, waiting for us to pay her.

“I think it’s probably time for us to get out of here.” I finish the rest of my beer and leave some cash on the receipt she printed for us a half hour ago. “I don’t want to hold them up any more than we already have.”

“You’re so conscious of other people.” He lays his hand gently on my shoulder. “I really love that.”

I laugh, keenly aware of his touch while I box up the rest of my food. “I try to be.” My pulse quickens. I know he can hear it. Most creatures can sense things humans can’t.

Outside it’s the perfect summer night—skies so clear that the stars glisten and the starlight settles on everything around us. It’s the perfect temperature. I inhale the clean mountain air. This was a good night. This was a good idea.

I catch him staring at me with a smile. His arms are relaxed, and for once, he’s not interrupting.

A tingling creeps up my back and across my face. “What?”

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