Kai cackled. “Buying your cupcakes.”
I cut my eyes at him. “There was nothing remotely sexual about that statement, man. Anyway, there is no way this is a coincidence.”
Ty shrugged, looking unsure. “They do call this place Smalltimore. Is he your type? We could be your wing-men.”
I gapped at Ty. I knew he didn’t know me like that, but he had to think I had finer taste than some weirdo wearing sunglasses at night. Without seeing his eyes, I had nothing really to go on. “No, he is not. And his energy is all wrong.”
Billie adjusted in her seat, narrowing her eyes at the man. “Does it seem dark?”
I rubbed the side of my neck, feeling uncomfortable again. “I don’t know. It just feels off.”
Kai shoved his chair back. “Let big brother Kai go smash his face in.”
Billie shot her hand out and grabbed his arm. “Please don’t attack the man. He hasn’t done anything. Do we really want to go around beating up all the guys who are into Lila? I’ve known her since ninth grade, it will be a job in itself.”
I rolled my eyes. Billie really made it seem like I had a long string of admirers. Most of the guys who were into me either were not my type in any remote way or were looking just for some fun in the bed. The few long-term relationships I had, ultimately ended badly for various reasons. Love was not a friend to me, and I didn’t think it would be found in a guy who made my skin crawl. I knew how to take care of this.
I gave the man a head nod and leaned into Daniel, resting my hand on his shoulder. Hopefully, he would think Daniel was my man and take the hint. That was assuming he’d arrived after me. The man brought his index fingers to the corners of her lips and moved them downwards with a pout.
“Did dude just mime being sad?” Kai asked.
I shrugged and looked back at the table. “I think he did.”
Billie furrowed her brows together. “Aww.”
I clapped my hands then wagged a finger at her. “Don’t do that. That’s not sad. It’s weird. Also, Daniel’s my boyfriend for the night until the guy leaves.” I patted him on the shoulder. “Thank you for your services.”
He gave me a salute. “Within reason, of course.”
“Naturally.”
Kai slouched down in his seat, looking dejected. “So, no smashing his face in?”
I pointed at him with a stern look. “I need for you to seek counseling.”
By the end of the night, I was sufficiently tipsy and still date-free, but it was a fun time. The creepy dude left before we did but not before sending another Manhattan my way with an apology sent via the waiter for being so forward when I was taken. That made him a little less creepy.
The gang saw me to my ride share before taking off themselves, and I was dropped off not too long after at my two-bedroom townhouse in the Remington area, closer to my job than the luxury district. The area was a bit eclectic with all types of characters, but I felt safe for the most part, and I knew my neighbors.
At the moment, the residential street was dark and quiet, nightlife being a few blocks away. I slowly climbed the few steps to my house. My toes were now killing me in my heels. The price of beauty.
I had just gotten my keys in the door when I heard something behind me, the hairs on my neck standing on end.
“Lila, fancy meeting you here,” came a now familiar voice. “Your man left you all alone?”
Seriously?! At this point, I could run into my apartment. It was secured with an alarm service, and it was magically warded. However, the creeper knew where I lived, and that was not good.
I took my keys out of the door and spun around. I would not let this fucker scare me. He had no idea who he was messing with. “What the hell do you want from me? Stalking me will not get you a date.”
He snorted, and I noticed in his right hand what looked like a stick. No, it was a wand. Crap, he was either a sorcerer or a wizard. “You’re beautiful, but that’s not why I’m here.”
I held my hands out, my ice magic spreading to my fingers, ready for his attack.
“We could use you for our cause.”
“Who’s we? What cause?”
“We heard about what you did at that magic shop. Took out two of our guys that were known to be pretty efficient. Ice magic is a rarity. When you meet someone who has that kind of magic, you don’t ignore it.”
