Page 34 of Becoming D'Vaire
“I got here at six,” Grigori confessed. He was going into complete nervous mode as they stood there.
Delaney’s brows drew together in confusion. “I could’ve sworn we agreed on seven for dinner.”
“We did. I wanted to be early.”
“An hour?”
“You waited for three for me last night.”
“Doesn’t mean you had to punish yourself.” Delaney glanced down at the table. “Should we sit?”
“Yeah, sorry. I…well, I guess I’m nervous,” Grigori managed. He took his seat and used his napkin to mop the moisture from his hands and brow.
“I’m nervous too. I think it’s natural.”
“Is this the thirty-minute hairdo you had last night?” Grigori asked. “I really like it.”
“No, I was too tired to bother with it. I can’t ever manage the right style anyway. You actually like it?”
“Yeah, it hangs down toward your eyes, which draws more attention to them. They’re amazing.”
“Thanks,” Delaney said as he ducked his head a little. “I like yours too.”
“Good evening, can I get you gentlemen something to drink?” a waiter asked. Grigori swore he arrived out of nowhere, and he jumped at his question. “Are you all right, Vampyr Lord?”
“Yeah, sorry. No, I’m okay. Um…I guess a Coke or something?”
The waiter’s face was bored as he turned his attention to Delaney. “And for you, High Arcanist?”
“The same, thanks.”
Once the server disappeared, Grigori tried to settle himself down, but it wasn’t working. He was feeling a little faint, something that only happened when he completely tangled himself up in nerves.
Delaney must have picked up on at least some of his tension, because he asked, “Are you okay?”
“Dating’s harder than I thought. I mean, I don’t want you to think I’m a complete spaz. I haven’t had the most experience…you know, with men and stuff,” Grigori tried to explain. Then he realized he was painting a picture of someone he doubted Delaney would want to be in a relationship with.
“That’s okay, I can relate.”
“I’m not a virgin or anything,” Grigori blurted out. Those words had a profound effect on Delaney; his entire countenance changed. His eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched.
“Right,” he bit out as he snatched up the menu. “We should figure out what we’re going to order.”
Grigori wanted to know what he did to offend Delaney, but their waiter had a sixth sense for appearing at the wrong moment, and he materialized with their drinks. “Ready to order?”
“Yes,” Delaney replied, then rattled off his choice.
“And you, Vampyr Lord?”
“Uh…tacos?”
“What kind of tacos, Vampyr Lord?”
“Can I just have what he ordered?” Grigori asked as he pointed at Delaney with one trembling finger. He knew that somewhere in Las Vegas, his mother had an urge to hunt him down and smack him, and she had no clue why. His manners were turning out to be atrocious on the most important night of his life.
The waiter grabbed their menus and took off, much to Grigori’s relief. The soft button-down shirt he’d donned for the evening was sticking to his damp skin. Delaney’s pissed-off gaze skittered over to another table, and Grigori glanced in the same direction. “Is that the Grand Warlock?”
Delaney turned back toward him. His expression was not a friendly one. “Yes, I require security, and his mate volunteered for the duty tonight.”
