Page 79 of The Sasquatch and the Hairdresser

“Thanks. We just had dinner at Mizuno’s, but we’ll have a date at the café one day soon. We’ve got to come back for some of that baklava soon. Avi’s is the best I’ve ever had,” Hal says.

I lick my lips. “Sounds good to me.”

And the perfect excuse for another date with Hal.

He smiles and tugs on my hand, leading me through the maze-like shop. After a quick perusal of the romance new release table—during which I make a quiet note of where his eyes linger for future gift-buying options—he comes to a stop in front of a shelf with relationship advice books.

“This place has a lot of great books, especially ones related to Otherkind,” he explains, then says, “Aha!” and plucks one off the shelf to hand to me.

I turn the book over in my hands, taking in the illustrated picture of what looks to be a human man and a sylph, and read the title out loud. “An Otherkind of Love: A Guide to Interspecies Relationships.”

He gives me another one of those bashful looks that slay me. “I thought we could get this and read it together. Ryder recommended it to me a while ago, it’s one he uses for research a lot. Like my sister said, there will probably be some challenges in understanding one another. But if we’re proactive about communicating and learning about each other, we can overcome anything.”

I scan the book’s back blurb. “My therapist will probably give you a gold star for this.”

Before I can protest, he takes the book from my hands and makes a beeline for the register. For such a big guy, he can move seriously fast.

“Hey!” I yell, hurrying after him. “You better not be buying that. Let me pay this time.”

“I will hear no objections, sweetheart,” he calls over his shoulder. “It’s my gift to us both.”

His card’s already been swiped by the time I catch up.

“You already bought me dinner,” I protest.

“You haven’t even opened for business yet, and I know how tight money can be when you’re starting out,” he admonishes, then gives me a pleading look. “Please let me treat you.”

I look away with a scowl. “Those fucking puppy-dog eyes of yours are deadly,” I grumble.

Between him and Elvira, I’m kinda screwed. I’m going to end up letting them have whatever they want every fucking time, that’s just how much they mean to me.

My little family.

Hal gives me an earnest look. “Don’t worry, my love. I’m sure you can think of a way to pay me back sometime if you absolutely feel you must, but I don’t ever expect anything in return. That’s not what gift-giving is about.”

Seriously, how could I not love this guy?

He hands me the book in its brown paper bag. “I’m really looking forward to reading it together.”

I swallow the lump in my throat and take the bag. After staring at it for a minute, I have a total fucking eureka moment.

Lifting my head, I flash him a shit-eating grin. “I’ve already figured out how I’m going to pay you back.”

Hal gulps. “How?”

“Next time, I get to plan the date. It’s time to make you my first client.” I lean closer and whisper, “I’m gonna give you the best damn haircut of your life—Halcyon Maple Atwood.”

He shivers again.

Not gonna lie, I’m smug as fuck.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Cryptids United in Delightful Dating and Love Encouragement (CUDDLE) Forum

SuperShySasquatch: This is a bit off our usual topic, but do any of you know much about mages?

NessieNeedsLoveToo: I’ve tangled with a few a time or two. What do you want to know?