Page 18 of The Sasquatch and the Hairdresser

It’s my turn to cock my head. “What would you recommend?”

“Simply spending more time together is one way to go about it. It certainly helped me and Vash get closer.”

I run a hand through the hair on my head and sigh. “Why does this always have to be so hard?”

And so darn awkward?

While I want to be brave and go for it, I’d hate to have my fragile hopes obliterated yet again. But the thought of someone else winning Skylar’s heart fills me with dread.

And maybe a little bit of nausea.

I swallow hard. “I’m making dinner for just us tonight. Astraea told me she was going to be out late and not to wait up.”

Although now that I think about it, maybe she did that precisely to offer me this opportunity. She had winked at me when she’d told me.

Ryder claps his hands together and rubs them with glee. “That’s perfect!”

My heart starts racing and I swallow thickly. “But I don’t know how I’m supposed to get closer to him just by sharing a meal. We do that every day.”

“Conversation is a good start,” Ryder offers dryly, his mouth twitching with amusement.

I roll my eyes again. “Fine. I know you’re right. It’s just that I get nervous and awkward around anyone I’m interested in. Then I end up making things weird and uncomfortable.”

“News flash—I’m the king of making things weird and uncomfortable, as you well know. Vash’s the only guy I’ve been with who isn’t put off by it at all. You aren’t an off-putting guy, Hal. I can’t even think of someone who isn’t relaxed and comfortable around you. Try going with the flow and see where the conversation takes you. Pay attention to what he says and try to figure out what’s important to him. Build on that.” He grins. “Max taught me that, by the way.”

Indeed. Max is the most confident person I’ve ever met. He’s entirely true to himself and doesn’t try to be anything he’s not. He’s also bold and courageous in everything he does. I wish I could be more like that.

I turn my thoughts back to Ryder’s suggestion.

“Skylar loves his job as a hairstylist,” I muse.

Ryder snaps his fingers. “Yes! Roll with that. Ask him questions about it and the salon. His job is probably a safe topic for him to talk about.”

I nod slowly. He’s right. My stomach settles at the thought as I imagine talking to him about what he loves.

“Then, after dinner, see if he wants to hang out,” Ryder adds.

My eyes widen. “Please tell me you’re not suggesting I invite him to Netflix and chill.”

That’s not how I operate.

He scoffs and waves a dismissive hand. “Hardly. You’re too charmingly old-fashioned for that. But don’t worry. There are plenty of other wholesome, G-rated things you can do together.”

“What would you recommend?” I ask, grasping at straws because my mind has gone blank from my nerves.

Ryder taps his chin in thought, then his eyes brighten. “Aha! I have the perfect idea.”

I lean closer. “Please bestow your romance guru wisdom upon me.”

“They’re airing the first episode of the new season of The Young and the Monstrous tonight. Why don’t you see if Skylar would like to watch it with you?”

My mouth slowly drops open. “Since when did you start watching it?”

Ryder lifts his chin and sniffs. “After you and Max recommended it to me so many times, I had to check it out. Even though I’ve never been a huge fan of soap operas, I must admit this one’s quite entertaining—and they really know how to execute a good cliffhanger. The show’s even given me a lot of inspiration for some of my own writing, plus I get to learn about a lot of different species of Otherkind while watching. Win, win.” He pauses and leans closer, lowering his voice. “It’s also a great way to test the waters and see what Skylar thinks of interspecies relationships. There are quite a few on the show.”

My mind conjures up a rose-colored image of me and Skylar, seated close together on the couch, watching the show later tonight. Maybe he would even lean into me at some point? The very thought of his warm body pressing into mine fills me with an almost desperate longing.

“Thanks, Ryder,” I say, my voice coming out a bit hoarse. “That’s a great idea. I’ll see what I can make happen.”