“I can’t do any of your tricks,” Val reminded him.
Booker snorted. “I should hope not. Nearly beating me in a race is bad enough.” He straightened. “Okay, my masculine pride has failed. I can’t skate another foot. My legs are done.”
“Same, honestly.” Val laughed. “I’m ready for that dinner you mentioned.”
“Cool, because I’ve had enough humiliation for one day,” Booker told her.
They skated to the edge and switched their skates for shoes. Val’s ankles ached as she tightened her boots while Booker returned the skates.
“Dinner’s on me,” Val suggested.
Booker shook his head. “No, it’s cool. I asked you out. I’ll pay for it.”
“In that case, I want seafood.” Val fell into step beside him as they strolled through the park. “All the seafood.”
“That can be arranged.” Booker chuckled and thrust his hands deep into his pockets. “Hey, can I ask you a personal question?”
“Sure. I mean, that’s the point of dating, isn’t it?” Val mused.
Booker inclined his head. “Fair enough. Is there a reason you’ve never dated before?”
“Yep.” Val sighed. “I stand out in my community at home. Nobody ever asked, and I never liked anyone enough to ask them.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Booker grinned. “For what it’s worth, you stand out here too, Valerie Stonehold, and not in a bad way.”
Val bumped him with her shoulder. “Thanks, man.”
“Any time.”
Val stifled a yawn as Booker’s Jeep rumbled into Bay Ridge. Her belly was satisfyingly stuffed with scampi and garlic butter, and she struggled to keep her eyes open as they approached her house.
“Am I that boring?” Booker asked.
“You’re not boring.” Val stretched. “It’s been a long few days. That’s all.”
“I’ll bet.” Booker brought the Jeep to a gentle halt outside her gate. “Hey, thanks for tonight, Val. I had a great time.”
Val’s hands lay folded in her lap, and she had no inclination to place them anywhere else. “I should be thanking you. I’ve never been…you know.” For the first time all night, heat crept to her cheeks. “I’ve never been pampered before. It was sweet of you to put so much effort into showing me a good time.”
“You’re not the only one. I really enjoyed myself.” Booker paused. “This is the part where we both acknowledge that there won’t be a second date, right?”
Val grimaced. “Yeah.”
“Don’t get me wrong. You’re super cool.” Booker laughed. “I’d love to see you again, but there’s no chemistry.”
“Not even a little bit.” Val chuckled. “You’re hot, but I’m not attracted to you.”
“Thank you for the compliment.” Booker grinned. “Friends, though, right?” He held out a fist.
Val bumped it. “Absolutely. See you at the Iron Fist sometime?”
“That’s the bar in Williamsburg, right? The one that’s recently been renovated?” Booker asked.
“The one I part-own,” Val told him.
“Wait, you’re part-owner of a bar?” Booker raised his eyebrows. “I take it back. Will you marry me?”
Val laughed and shoved his shoulder. “Asshole.”
“I’ll be there some time.” Booker winked. “Thanks again.”
Val disembarked from the Jeep and waved as Booker drove away with a cheerful honk.
Tetra sulked in the passenger seat, arms folded as usual. Val was starting to think that faerie arms were stuck that way.
“I don’t see why I have to work on a weekend,” she whined.
“Because you work at a bar,” Val snapped. “You get Mondays and Tuesdays off. What’s the problem?”
“I’m tired,” Tetra complained. “My feet hurt.”
Val bit her tongue before she ordered the faerie to quit her whining. “One more shift. You can spend tomorrow in bed.”
“Yes.” Tetra brightened slightly. “I still have a season of Sherlock to watch.”
