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“Did you decide on your entrée?” Pisces asked curiously. Peter had mentioned a couple of options. Just to make certain his mate wasn’t concerned about price, Pisces added, “I think I’m going to do the surf and turf and add a side of king crab legs.”
Peter stared at him wide-eyed for a second, then chuckled. “I’d say I don’t know how you’ll get through all that, but I know the answer to that.”
Pisces winked, knowing the answer, too. Shifters could eat plenty more than the average human. With their body’s metabolic rate boosted from shifting forms, they needed many more calories.
Before Peter could offer his choice, their waitress arrived. Natalie carried their bottle of wine, two glasses, and a basket of bread. While placing the glasses on the table, she greeted them and welcomed them to the restaurant. Natalie popped the cork and poured a bit of wine into one of the glasses. Then she glanced between them, asking which of them wanted to sample it.
Considering Pisces already knew he liked the wine, he indicated that she should offer it to Peter. His mate picked up the glass. He made a show of sniffing it before winking at Pisces playfully, and Pisces chuckled, knowing Peter didn’t have a clue.
Maybe I’ll take him out to a vineyard, and we can do some tastings together...see what he likes and doesn’t like.
Once Peter took a sip and nodded, he set the glass down. Natalie filled both glasses and set the bottle on the table. Then she asked them if they’d decided or needed another minute.
Pisces arched a brow and shot a questioning look Peter’s way.
“Yeah, I think we’re ready,” Peter confirmed. “I’ll take your fried clam strip basket and add on a bowl of clam chowder.”
“Of course,” Natalie responded before turning to Pisces. “And you, sir?” After Pisces relayed what he wanted, she asked, “What kind of dressing on your salad?”
“I’ll take extra ranch,” Pisces told her.
Natalie nodded again. “Absolutely.” With a smile, she told them, “I’m sure your calamari will be ready in a minute.”
After another round of thanks, Natalie hurried away, stopping at a table two down from theirs to help another customer.
Dismissing her for the moment, Pisces picked up his wine glass and took a sip. He set it down and focused on Peter. Pisces racked his brain for something to say, but he’d never been on a date before.
Taking a stab in the dark, Pisces asked, “Have you always wanted to be a paramedic?”
Peter chuckled even as he nodded. “Yup.” Grabbing a piece of bread, he began slathering butter on it. “Ever since I was a little boy. I loved watching an ambulance racing down the road, sirens blazing, making everyone else get out of the way.” As Peter set the knife down, his smile turned rueful. “Of course, it wasn’t until I was older that I realized an ambulance with sirens blazing actually meant trouble for someone.” Before taking a big bite of the bread, Peter admitted, “That didn’t make me want to do it any less, though.”
Pisces chuckled softly as he nodded in understanding. Sometimes, something was just a calling. “How long have you been at it?”
“Nearly six years.” Peter cocked his head and eyed Pisces. His voice was low when he commented, “Seen a few things over the years, so finding out about”—he waved his empty hand in the air—”well, it wasn’t too shocking.” Peter shrugged, holding his gaze. “It actually cleared a few things up.”
Humming, Pisces nodded. “I can believe that.”
Before he could say more, Natalie returned with their appetizer.
“Thank you.” Pisces smiled up at her.
“Certainly, sir.” She glanced between them. “Do you need anything else at the moment?”
Peter tapped the side of the appetizer basket. “When you get a moment, will you bring more of the aioli dip, please?”
“You got it.” Natalie offered them another winning smile before moving off again.
Chapter Four
Peter realized it was a little difficult to make certain small talk with Pisces. With him being a shifter, there were so many things he couldn’t talk about in public. He couldn’t ask simple things, like how old he was or what his duties atWorld of Aquaticawere. There was just too great a risk of being overheard.
“Um, so...” Peter hesitated as he stabbed a couple of the fried clam strips. As he dipped them in tartar sauce, he asked, “Are your parents around? Uh, have any family?”
Pisces shook his head slowly. “My parents passed some time ago,” he told him with a soft smile. “I was an only child, so when that happened, I moved out west.”
Biting back his instinctual question of how long ago that was, instead, Peter asked, “Have you worked for Kaiser since the marine park opened?”
Dipping his chin in a quick nod, Pisces revealed, “Since before it opened, actually.”
