Page 50 of The Troll’s Summer Flame

“Yeah, sometimes. But dates, like going out, and making special time to be together, get rarer. Like, my parents went out three times a year. My mom’s birthday, my dad’s birthday, and their anniversary. That was it.” I don’t dare ask about his parents, but I’m curious. “Troll dating? What’s that like?”

Gordon takes a bite of quiche, which means half the slice disappears into his wide mouth in one bite. “A male brings kills to the female until she accepts them and goes back to his home with him to be his mate and the mother to their children. Another male can fight for her until she’s safely in the first suitor’s home.”

“Ah. Not big on concerts and stuff?”

“No.”

“Dating is nice.” I sip my soup and then take a Tylenol. Gordon notices and quickly unscrews the balm in the blue jar, taking my burnt hand in his and smearing the cream on. It sinks in instantly, and the room smells like lavender heaven. “But being together with the person you love is the best. Being at home together can be just as exciting as a date—if it’s the right person,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

I didn’t believe that until Gordon. I didn’t believe that at all. Now? I think I would trade every concert ticket or vacation in the world to sit this close to him and feel his hand tending to mine, to hear the way his breath catches when I look at him. To feel the way his body shifts when our knees touch.

“You like to go out and do things. I will make sure that we do that many times a week,” Gordon vows, voice tight.

“Thank you. Do you like staying in?”

He shrugs. “I like being with you.”

Simple. True.

Heart melting exponentially increasing. “I want to be where you are, Gordon. I like you. I like bowling, and going to the Night Market, and watching fireworks... But I wouldn’t have wanted to do those things without you. You made it fun. You make me happy.”

This time, Gordon is the one who leans in and kisses me, one cheek, my nose, the other, and then my lips. “We will go out and stay in together. Several times a week?”

I nod. I’d like to say, “No. All the days of the week. Every. Single. Day.

And double down on the nights.

I don’t say that. Guys would think that’s clingy, right?

“At what point does the dating go from several nights to every night? Is that... Is that before or after humans marry? I’m only asking because I don’t know. I’ve watched movies and television shows, of course, but there’s no clear plan that the shows follow. I know many married couples and a few dating couples, too, and they are all different, and many of them are made up of monsters marrying humans. Like the gargoyles you met. One was married by accident to a human, and the other is living with a human whom he hopes to wed, but has not yet wed.”

“Dude, humans are confusing,” I commiserate. “Accidentally married?”

“Oh, that is a long story. And I don’t know it. I don’t pay attention to many people.”

I laugh out loud at that. “I love you. You’re so honest.”

Gordon drops his spoon this time. His creamy tomato soup splatters, and Chopin races to lick the floor. “You love me?” Gordon gasps.

I open my mouth, panicking and backpedaling internally. I meant I loved that about him. I love so many things about him. I’m... I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do, but Gordon is honest, even when he’s unsure, and so I suck in a deep breath and follow his lead. One word. “Yes.”

“We... We would stay together, then. For all of our days and nights. Inside or out ‘dating.’”

“Yep.”

Gordon remains oblivious to the drops on the table and his shirt. Chopin bats a paw at the table, hoping for more accidental gifts. “I didn’t think I was supposed to tell you I loved you until much later. My parents... My parents did not love each other, but my father was a good provider and a good leader. He made smart decisions. My mother did not like him, because she didn’t agree with the decisions.”

“I’m sorry, baby. I don’t want us to be like that. We can make decisions together, and you can tell me anything at all.”

“I would like to stay in tonight. I would like to stay here, or you stay with me. Almost all of the time. If that’s allowable.”

“It’s very, very allowable.” I let my hand drop to his knee. “But you should know that girlfriends can get clingy. They can want a lot of attention. Physical attention, like hugs and kisses. And other stuff. You just have to tell me if that’s okay.”

Gordon licks his lips. His tongue flicks one tusk, and polishes it in a nervous swirl.

God, that’s a talented tongue. Slightly more pointed than a human’s, but much wider.

Oh, damn, I am so not supposed to be thinking about that tongue exploring me right now. I try hard to keep a calm, reassuring smile on my face.