Page 14 of Cat’s Guide To Romance

9

LUCIEN

The pink rising on Sparkle’s cheeks is adorable. I know the song was ridiculous. Probably unforgivable in such a setting as his favorite breakfast place, but I want him to know I’m serious. The man has a giving spirit. I saw it on Halloween in how he was with his new friends at The Rot. He lets others be seen. It’s his turn to shine.

Sparkle sighs once we make it to the grocery store. His mother texted him a list even longer than what she told him on the phone.

“What can possibly be the surprise she has for us? This is going to take forever to grab everything on this list.”

“We’ll breeze through it, just you watch.” I bump his hip with mine. “I love grocery shopping and I’ve never been to Hex Grocer.” I grab a shopping cart with my tail and whip it around.

Sparkle’s eyes go wide.

“Sweetie, there are so many fun things I can do with this tail.” I blow him a kiss, which makes him pinker, and his tail sways a little more. Maybe there’s more sway in his hips.

“I need some strawberries.” Sparkle leads the way, getting sidetracked by half a dozen other ingredients before we make it to the sweet treat. His tail is so cute when he finds something he’s excited about.

I lean in close to examine the pint box in his hand. “Are you purring, pretty kitty?”

His mouth opens and closes as his hand lands on his chest. “That’s never happened to me before.”

I don’t think he’s ever going to lose the blush. It reaches his ears now.

His hand stays on his chest as he leads us to a new aisle. I follow behind him with the shopping cart and rearrange things so everything fits well.

“What’s your favorite dessert?” I ask. We might as well get to know each other a little while we’re here.

“I like a lot of boring things. Like butterscotch pudding. Or there’s a really yummy apple cake that’s been passed down for generations. There’s a special syrup you make right before you serve it. So good! I don’t have a major sweet tooth like Beau and Lark. I prefer savory flavors. And meat.” My pretty kitty nibbles his bottom lip while looking me over.

Oh, he likes to flirt.

“I enjoy meat as well.”

Sparkle swallows, and his eyes flit over his list. “Pasta,” he croaks out.

Maybe he’s more shy than he lets on.

Once he grabs what he needs, he turns to me. “Why The Rot? I love the club when I get to go. But the paint job kind of freaked me out the first time I saw it.”

The Rot is an inconspicuous warehouse painted in green and gray, with red paint blobs that drip like blood from the roof. The awning over the door is black. Zombie enthusiasts love it there.

“It was the nineties? I had weird taste, but I still think it looks cool.”

“It does, but I was not expecting the upscale club inside. Maybe you should consider updating the exterior.”

“You’re not wrong.” I steer the cart around an elderly witch inspecting jars of sauce. “It’s something I’ve considered, but it takes a backseat to making sure the inside gives the best experience every time. I get the most premier alcohol from humans and supes alike. I have the best blood possible. I even run blood drives with supes to bolster the supply and get some variety. Then there’s⁠—”

Sparkle raises a hand. “I’m not trying to change your entire business. It was just a thought.”

“But it’s a good one.” I grab the sauce he points to and drop it into the cart. “There’s just a lot to do. I run the place on my own, but Lars and Ryan step up when I need help. Sometimes it’s a bit overwhelming.”

I don’t know why the hell I’m admitting that out loud. I could hire any number of supes or demons. It’d be no problem at all, but I like having all the control.

“Beau’s the one with all the ideas. If you ever want real insight, he’s the guy to ask.” Sparkle’s shoulders drop as he studies the shelves. “I’m not a thinky kind of person. No one comes to me for ideas unless it has to do with mixing drinks or dancing.”

“I’m sure you’re not giving yourself enough credit.”

“I don’t know. I’m not the smartest cat on the block.”