Page 80 of The Sasquatch and the Hairdresser

SuperShySasquatch: We’re looking to hire one to help out with some magical mysteries happening in town, including a rogue portal that opened up on its own and isn’t closing.

IPutTheBrahInChupacabra: Shit, bro. That sounds dicey. But yeah, a powerful enough mage should be able to help.

NessieNeedsLoveToo: A lot will depend on how big the problem is and how long you’ll need the mage to stick around.

MerMagicMan: I think what Nessie’s referring to is the fact that mages like to be where the action is. They’re less likely to want to stick around once the excitement fades.

SuperShySasquatch: Hmm. A friend of mine suggested something similar. I guess I don’t know much about mages.

YetiOrNotHereICome: From what I’ve seen, a lot of them like to lone wolf it. When you have that much power, a healthy ego tends to come along with it.

LoungeSingerLizardMan: Ain’t that the truth. They’re a talented lot, but most of them are arrogant pricks.

NessieNeedsLoveToo: Just be careful and make sure you’ve got an airtight contract with whoever you hire.

SuperShySasquatch: Oh dear. This is getting more complicated by the minute. At least I’m not the one in charge of doing the hiring.

Hal

Inever could have imagined how sweet my full name would sound coming from Skylar’s lips. Now it’s all I can think about.

As we walk home from our date, Skylar’s phone buzzes, interrupting my wayward thoughts. The light from the screen illuminates his face as he studies the message.

“Max wants to know if we can have a doggy playdate soon.”

“Sounds great to me.” I chuckle. “I’m not surprised he wants to make this happen. Max firmly believes that the more people are with others, the better everyone’s life is.”

Skylar smiles. “Mr. Supermanny Extraordinaire is certainly memorable. Seems like a cool guy too. What’s his hellhound like?”

“Waffles is pretty much bossed around by Princess Peach even though he could flatten her with one paw. He’s got boundless energy and often forgets how big he is, but he’s very loving and loyal. Oh, and he takes protecting his family seriously, especially Harn and Yara, the two orclings Max and Targan are raising.”

Skylar types back a quick response. “I gave him a couple of morning options next week and will wait to hear back. Hope that’s cool?”

I squeeze his hand. “Works for me. My schedule’s pretty flexible, as you know.”

When we get back home, we’re greeted by an overly enthusiastic Elvira, who takes a few minutes to cover us in her puppy slobber—three tongues add up—before calming down.

“She probably needs another walk before bed,” Skylar says, ruffling the tops of all three of her heads in turn, which makes her tails wag.

I gulp.

“Would you mind taking her? I have something I need to do,” I say, hoping I don’t sound as nervous as I feel.

Skylar gives me a questioning look and nods, then gets Elvira into the harness Max gave me the other day, an old hand-me-down of Waffles’s.

When I hear the door shut behind him, I spring into action. In the living room, I turn the lights down low and use candles for a more intimate ambiance. I take some time to move the coffee table out of the way and free up space in the middle of the room, then I get my record player going with an album of classic love songs playing softly in the background.

Before too long, the door opens and Elvira scampers to her water bowls in the kitchen. Skylar, meanwhile, comes to a halt in the doorway to the living room and stares.

Swallowing my nerves, I step closer and hold out my hand to him.

“May I have this dance?”

“What’s all this?” he asks, gesturing behind me, a look of awe on his face.

“I wanted to end our date tonight with a dance.” I bite my bottom lip. “Actually, I’ve wanted to slow dance with you for a long time.”

Slowly, he takes hold of my hand, his eyes full of wonder. “This is like something out of a movie.”