Page 35 of The Sasquatch and the Hairdresser

SuperShySasquatch: Yeah, I’m not new to rejection. Can’t say I enjoy it, but I’m prepared. I just don’t want to make him feel bad or awkward around me if he doesn’t want me to court him.

IPutTheBrahInChupacabra: If he says no, you gotta do some soul searching, man. Do you want to try and maintain a friendship with him, knowing how much it will hurt not having your feelings reciprocated? Hell, he might end up dating someone else. If that happens, can you genuinely support him as a friend? Don’t forget, you need to protect your heart too.

NessieNeedsLoveToo: I second that. It can take time to move on from feelings, and most species typically need distance and space for that. If this guy is living with you, that could spell all kinds of trouble afterward.

SuperShySasquatch: Sigh. I know. I’ve considered all these things. Honestly, I’m not sure what I’ll do if he rejects me—other than go cry a whole lot and try to crochet away my sorrows. I’ve decided to figure out “what next” when and if I cross that bridge, so to speak.

LoungeSingerLizardMan: That’s what I like to hear! Never lose sight of your inner romantic. What’s life without wine, music, and love? You’ve gotta put your heart on the line to have any shot at winning in the romance game, my friend.

MerMagicMan: We’re going to be cheering you on, SSS! And if things don’t go the way we all hope they will, we’ll be here to lend an ear and offer moral support. You can count on us.

SuperShySasquatch: Sniffle. Thanks, friends! I love you all too.

Hal

Icheck my apron pockets to make sure I have everything: flashlight for Skylar, trail mix for just in case, extra plastic baggies to collect samples of anything strange we might want examined, a pair of latex gloves, my cell phone, and keys.

Phew! All set.

What I can’t store in my pockets, however, is the gumption to ask Skylar out on a proper date.

I glance over to where he’s getting ready.

Dearest, bravest Skylar. Would you like to be my boyfriend? I can’t give you sex, but I can share almost anything else with you. My heart, my home, my future.

I wince as I play that out in my mind. My romantic record of failure isn’t exactly encouraging, and I don’t want to mess this up, but I’m all kinds of awkward and unsure of myself. While he doesn’t have an issue with interspecies relationships, I’m still unsure if Skylar would want to be in one, let alone with me. From what I’ve gathered so far, his last relationship wasn’t great most of the time and ended badly. Maybe he isn’t ready to get into another one. If so, I don’t blame him.

But patience is something I’m good at.

I’ll wait for him. As long as he wants me to.

If only he’d give me a sign that I might have a chance. Someday.

Skylar finishes lacing up his boots and arches an eyebrow at me. “We good to go?”

I gently set aside my bucket full of feels, as Ryder would call it, and nod. “Baxter’s going to meet us there, but he messaged me a few minutes ago and said he might be running a little late. We can start scoping things out before he arrives.”

Skylar smiles, runs a hand through his hair, and shrugs. “I’m glad we can have some time alone.”

Flippity-flop goes my heart, and I’m strangely lightheaded.

Skylar wants to spend time together, just the two of us? I heard that right, didn’t I?

The very idea has me ready to swoon like one of the main characters in a romance novel.

I’m still a bit stunned as we make our way down to the lake.

Outside, the sun has set already. I lead us down the paved trail that goes around the lake, soaking in the peace I always experience in nature. Water softly laps at the shore and an owl hoots somewhere in the forest.

“It’s real pretty down here. Then again, everything in Mystic Hollow is,” Skylar says as we move side by side.

My chest swells with pride. “I’ve felt this town was a truly special place ever since I first walked down Main Street. I’m so glad you’re now a part of our community.”

“Me too,” Skylar says, his voice hoarse.

Frowning, I pat my apron pockets. “Oh dear, I forgot to bring any lozenges with me. Sorry.”

Skylar chuckles and pulls one out of his coat pocket. “When it comes to Hal’s Craving Crushers, I’ve got it covered. I bring these babies with me everywhere. They’re helping a lot with the nicotine cravings.”