Page 6 of Little Shake of Salt

The scent of coffee beans made me sigh as I stepped into the cafe. This place was notorious for matching humans and monsters. This was the second location though, and from what I could tell, it was run by the Barista’s kids. Honestly, I wasn’t really sure. I didn’t know much about that family aside from what Rhea told me.

It was slow for a Friday morning, with a few empty tables ready to be snagged. I spotted a couple dragon shifters with their flaming coffee cups in one booth . . . a human with tattoos and a sexy, stoic vampire at another table . . . then a demon loungingwith her laptop and drinking a bright red cold brew that was probably mixed with arsenic.

“Demi!”

I jumped as a gorgeous woman appeared in front of me. Her copper red hair was pulled back into a bun, and a thousand freckles dusted her fair skin. I recognized her bright, eager voice from our phone call.

“Layla,” I said. “Right?”

She beamed at me. “Yes! So glad you’re here. Welcome to Creature Cafe. What kind of coffee do you want? I can take you back to your date.”

Fuck, suddenly my palms were clammy. Was I really doing this? Did I even believe in this fated mates stuff? Hell, did I even believe inlove?

“Uh . . . Okay . . .” I could hardly even remember what kind of coffee I liked. Layla stared at me, offering a slightly strained smile until I finally said something. “A latte would be great.” I didn’t even like lattes, but fuck it.

“Got it. Luca will make it for you.”

A sullen, dark-haired man behind the counter arched a brow at us, then wordlessly went to the espresso machine.What the hell is his problem?

Whatever. I side-stepped to get out of the way of the front door, and was reminded of how wet I was. Again, not in a fun way.

“Do you happen to have a blow dryer?” I whispered, gesturing down at my clothes. I was in denim overalls and a short sleeve T-shirt that showed off my arms, and then my combat boots.

At least my socks weren’t wet, otherwise I’d be ghosting my monster date.

“Ummm, I don’t.” Layla winced as thunder rattled the windows.

I turned, frowning as the sky darkened even more outside. Layla frowned at it too, her arms crossing as if she’d gotten a chill. The storm was blowing insofast. Almost unnaturally so.

Layla cleared her throat. “I don’t think she’ll care that you’re wet, honestly. Come with me. I promise we won't bite.”

Internally, I started screaming. I was going to go out of my mind if I actually went on this date wet?—

Layla looped her arm in mine and didn’t really give me a choice as she dragged me back behind the coffee counter. She was shockingly strong for someone so small. I nearly broke my neck looking back at a painting on the brick wall above a booth.

Did my eyes deceive me or was that a painting of a monster orgy?

I didn’t have a chance to look longer though, because Layla whisked me through the kitchen to a giant silver door.

“What . . . the hell is this?” I asked.

She grabbed the latch and hauled it open. The heavy door squealed on its hinges as the inside of the cooler was revealed.

Countless bags of coffee beans sat on the floor next to industrial shelves of milk and containers of mysterious ingredients. A clear jar with eyeballs, a bottle of “Dragon’s Fire,” a jug of minotaur milk. I frowned at that. I didn’t even want to know where that came from.

At the center of the cooler was a glowing portal that looked like it opened to the depths of the ocean. Salt water lapped at the edges of the portal, sea-foam sticking to the checkered floor.

Silver-white hair tucked behind webbed, pointed ears emerged from the water. Gorgeous iridescent scales shimmered on bluish-gray skin. Violet eyes met mine with curiosity, and my mouth dropped as her face became visible the more she rose up. Her long hair dripped, sticking to her collarbone, draping down over her breasts. She stopped at her torso, and I could see the larger scales that marked the start of what had to be her tail.

My date was with a mermaid.

An eerily beautiful mermaid.

I swallowed hard. I was less reluctant to run away now, drenched from the rain or not.

“Here’s your coffee,” a gruff voice said.

I turned as the man from up front handed Layla a tray with two steaming mugs and a croissant. Layla beamed as she placed it on the floor next to the portal.