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“Impressive,” he said. “A glass of the Glenmorangie Signet, please.”
She smiled at him. “I’m glad you enjoyed my parlour trick,” she said as she reached under the bar for a rocks glass and then poured his Scotch.
“Neat?” he asked, watching her carefully.
Confused, she asked, “You’d ruin a fifty-dollar glass of Scotch by watering it down?”
Talan laughed and said, “You really are a delight,” as he swirled the Scotch and took in the scent.
“Enjoy,” she said.
He took a small sip and then asked, “So what were you reading when I came in?”
Lilly flushed slightly. “My psychology textbook.”
“Ah. You’re in school then?” Talan asked, obviously in no hurry to finish his drink.
“I am. I go during the day,” she said. Talan waved his hand, prompting her to continue, so she added, “For restaurant management. It’s in my DNA.”
If he noticed the sadness in her voice at the last statement, he had the good grace not to mention it. Instead he asked, “So one day we’ll lose the talented Lilly Ferguson to a restaurant of her own?”
“Don’t get me wrong. This is a great place to work, but yes, one day I’d like to have something of my own.”
“A little sports bar like this one,” he teased.
She smiled and said, “I originally applied for a position in the piano bar you just opened a few months ago. Something like that would be more my speed. I’m thinking maybe a whisky bar with small bites, though. The food would change seasonally. Not that I’ve put any thought into it.”
“Of course you haven’t,” he agreed. “When you’ve got a business plan ready, send it my way. It sounds incredibly unique for the area. I could help you locate some investors.”
“Really,” she asked. “Just like that?”
“You obviously know your product. You picked my favorite brand, by the way,” he said, swirling the half-empty glass at her. “And I know you’re tenacious. Those are desirable qualities in a leader. Once you acclimate yourself to the business side of things, you’ll be unstoppable.”
She blinked at him a few times and then said, “Thank you.”
He took another sip of his drink and studied her.
When she realized that she was fidgeting, she finally asked, “So what brings you to the sports bar this evening?
“You,” he said.
Her pulse was hammering, so she nervously picked up the remote as if he hadn’t spoken. “Was there a game on somewhere that you wanted to watch?”
“I’m not interested in sports, Lilly,” he said, his gaze steady.
She tilted her head slightly as she wondered if she should ask. He must have seen her question because he said, “Ask me whatever it is you’re debating on whether to ask me.”
“I see a lot of the Transfigured in here,” she said, gesturing to the bar. “About fifty-fifty. I don’t understand. What thrill would someone with superior strength and reflexes get out of watching human sports?”
Obviously, that hadn’t been the question he expected because his face went blank as he considered the answer. He took the last sip from his drink and finally said, “It’s like the difference between college and professional sports. In college there’s a wider variety of skill levels so there’s more opportunity for big plays.”
“I never thought of it that way. I guess watching a bunch of super-fast, super-strong guys battling it out would get kind of boring,” she agreed. Curious, she asked, “What did you think I was going to ask you?”
“I wasn’t entirely certain, but that wasn’t it,” he admitted. He must’ve been acting on pure impulse when he uttered his next words because he looked as if they had startled even him. “Have dinner with me, Lilly.”
Her eyes widened in shock for a moment before she finally managed, “I...I don’t know if that would be a good idea. I’m an employee.”
“You’re probably right,” he acknowledged, then picked her hand up from where it clutched the bar. His hand was cooler than hers, but still warm. His skin felt just like normal skin. She didn’t know what she was expecting, but this was a surprise.
