Page 20 of Night Shift

Erebus stands beneath the purple halo of the neon sign, holding a paper bag.

I unlock the door and pull it open. “You know we have an entrance.”

“I did not know whether you were closed.”

“You’ve been here every night for a week. You know exactly when we close.”

“That is true.”

His gaze drops to the bag in his hand.

Naturally, mine follows.

“What’s in the bag?”

“A gift.”

“For me?”

“Yes.”

I wait for more, but this is Erebus, so naturally, more does not come.

“Well, now you have to come in.”

He follows me inside while I lock the door again. Without customers, music, or the constant scream of the espresso machine, Ghoulish Grinds feels almost intimate.

Erebus sets the bag on the counter.

Inside is a small white box tied with black string. I lift the lid and find two pastries nestled in tissue paper, both covered in dark chocolate and something glittery enough that I suspect magic was involved.

“Hex and Honey?”

“Yes.”

“You brought me pastries?”

“You frequently give them to me.”

“Because they’re going stale.”

“I am aware.”

I glance up. “These aren’t going stale.”

“No.”

“So you bought me fresh pastries because I’ve been feeding you the old ones?”

“I was informed that reciprocity is important during courtship.”

My hand stops halfway into the box.

“During what?”

“Courtship.”

I stare at him.