Page 11 of My Undead Heart

A burst of laughter I can’t contain rumbles from my belly. The thought of this woman attempting to take me on in a fight is the most humorous proposition I’ve heard all day. Though, part of me thinks she wouldn’t have any qualms about attempting it. “So, you do have a sense of humor or is that broken too?”

“You’re awfully joyful for someone demoted from bartender to bouncer.”

“Salty.”

“Look, can you stop talking? You’re turning an already bad day horrible.”

“Why so glum? Didn’t find any humans worth feasting on? Or are you disappointed Chris Evans is shorter in real life?” I tease in an attempt to make her smile since I finally surmised the reason she’s dressed up as a flesh eaten human. The big nerd convention, Comic Con or whatever, is at the Stephenson Center every year. And Zig’s is within walking distance. I haven’t seen any signs or ads throughout the city, but I also haven’t been paying attention. It didn’t click until catching the train home earlier.

Her gaze flicks over me for a short second, disapproval etched in her stare. “I don’t understand what either of those things has to do with the other?”

“I just assumed ...” But she hustles away before I can continue.

“Jared!” she shouts and flings herself into the open arms of the man stepping inside Zig’s.

“My kitten!” The man with the blue hair holds her tightly until she slides down his body and her feet touch the wooden floorboards. “You’re sloshed,” he says pointedly, his brows rising along with his smirk.

She giggles, pinching her forefinger and thumb together in front of her face. “Just a teensy bit.”

“Oh, God!” The man laughs. “I’ve never heard you use the word teensy to describe anything before. You must be three sheets to the wind.”

“Only way to make the worst day of my life better.” Her lips plump out with their pout. Irritation consumes my gut when the guy wraps his arm around her waist and tugs her close as she leans into him. I don’t know her. She’s not with me. I’ve never seen her before today, but I guess I hoped she was unattached and available. As the man drags her further into the bar, he passes by with a wink. It’s a look I don’t understand. More flirtatious than possessive. Strange.

“Matt, a little help here?” Tana’s lips pull up with laughter. The doors are propped open with a crowd of more than a dozen new customers.

“Sorry,” I apologize as zombie girl disappears, completely uninterested once again. No time for daydreaming or wishing for things I can’t have. Shaking my head, I focus on the task at hand and earning enough cash to keep my life afloat.

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