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“Hey, boss,” Gage said as he, Drake, and a guy Mason had never seen walked in. Mason was busy filling a large order, but his attention snapped to the stranger with Gage. The guy had dark hair that was mussed, a slim, short body, and killer green eyes.
Mason’s Bengal tiger sat up and took notice, too.
“Here to eat me out of business?” Mason joked. He didn’t mind feeding Gage’s friends. They were always respectful, if not flirtatious. It was comical to see Drake and Tido fall over themselves to get his attention. They weren’t his type, but his ego enjoyed their dreamy-eyed looks.
“I have a newly converted friend who’s dying for some more of your delicious food,” Gage said. “Go easy on Elijah. Don’t send him into a food coma. He has grandparents to look after.”
“You want to tell him my entire life story?” Elijah asked. “Jeez.”
Mason smirked. He liked Elijah’s fiery attitude. Then he frowned. Since when did he take interest in Gage’s friends? They were more like groupies, and that never interested him. He was looking for something deeper than a quick fuck.
But his tiger gave a low growl.
“Hey, Kenny, finish up this order,” Mason yelled to the teenager in the back.
“You got it,” Kenny yelled in return.
Mason leaned on the counter. “What do you guys want?”
Gage gave him Tido’s order, which Mason wrote down. Drake ordered pretty much the same, but Elijah stood there looking at the overhead order board as if he were lost.
Then it hit Mason square in his chest. An aroma of vanilla with a hint of jasmine. Mason’s tiger snarled louder as Elijah stepped closer, tapping his finger on his chin.
Mason was looking at his mate.
Holy shit!
“What do you recommend?” Elijah asked, locking gazes with Mason. “Gage already had me try the pulled pork sandwich and some wings. Do you have anything else that delicious?”
You can have me.
Mason cleared his throat. Aside from his mate’s aromatic scent, he also smelled human, and Mason wasn’t sure if Elijah knew of the preternatural world. “Beef tips, fish, brisket, chicken tenders, polish boys.”
“You expect me to eat all that?” Elijah frowned.
Gage rolled his eyes. “Give him a rib tip snack pack.”
“What’s that?” Elijah asked Gage.
“Rib tips and fries,” Drake answered.
Mason started on their orders but made sure he served Elijah first. He not only gave his mate the snack pack, but he included some of his famous mac and cheese. He also gave his mate a can of soda from the cooler behind the counter.
“Why does he get served first?” Drake asked.
“New customers always get served first,” Mason said. “Besides, you’re getting this for free, so stop complaining.”
“I’ll pay for mine,” Elijah offered. “You’re running a business. I can’t expect you to give me this without paying for it.”
That just sealed the deal for Mason. Elijah had a kind heart and was thoughtful. “I’ll charge you a dollar of it makes you feel better.”
Not that Mason was hurting for money. He was 275 years old. In that time, he’d amassed a lot of money, and he only ran this place because he had a passion for cooking.
“One dollar?” Elijah looked incredulously at him.
“And fifty cents if one dollar isn’t enough.” Mason smirked. “Go sit down and enjoy your meal while it’s hot.”
Mason ignored Gage and Drake, who were already deep in conversation. Instead, he watched as Elijah settled down at a nearby table. Mason had been alone for so long he had almost forgotten what it felt like to have someone in his life. But now, with Elijah sitting just a few tables away, he felt a flicker of hope.
