Page 18 of Loki
“Yes. Yes, I am.”
Loki grabbed his chest. “Thou doth wound me to the core, m’lady.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Go.”
Loki winked at her. “Don’t stand me up.”
She tried to think of a witty comeback, but nothing came to mind.
Damn. How did he do that? She’d not been able to keep her eyes off him, but he’d not turned back once. Strangely the knowledge pricked her with a tinge of sadness.
She drowned the feeling and turned to Elle. “Take tables three, four, and six.”
Elle nodded and appeared like she might say something, but she didn’t. She picked up her tray and went to the first table.
It was nearly closing time when the door to the bar opened, and Benjinn entered. Val’s gut tightened at the sight of him. Crap. What did she do about him? On the one hand, she liked Benjinn. But on the other, she couldn’t deny something had started with Loki, and like it or not, she couldn’t ignore it.
“Howdy, beautiful.” Benjinn leaned on the counter.
Unlike the last time he’d been there, something felt off.
“Hey, Benjinn. Can I get you something?”
“Are you busy after work?”
“I am. Sorry.” The conflict growing inside her felt strange. She did want to go out with Benjinn, but she wouldn’t turn down Loki for him.
He nodded. “Is your Norse friend showing up again?”
She wondered if Benjinn knew who Loki was. She had to assume he didn’t; otherwise, he’d probably never speak to her again.
“He’s not my friend, but yes.”
“Are you two together or something?”
Val bit her tongue at the ‘no’ she’d been about to say. “Or something, I guess.”
Benjinn’s expression hardened. “Is it serious?”
Val’s chest tightened. She didn’t like all the questions. Questions she wasn’t ready to answer or think about. Hell, she wasn’t prepared to try to unpack what was between her and Loki. They’d fooled around once, and now they were having food. Was that something? Possibly. But with Loki, you never knew. And she wasn’t going to give away a possible chance with someone else for something which may turn out to be nothing.
“No,” she finally said. “It’s nothing.”
Benjinn smiled. “Then I have a shot. Good. I am going to try out a new place. Your friend suggested it. If it’s good, maybe we can go together sometime.”
“If it’s good.”
“I can tell you’re a woman who likes quality.”
Val snorted. “I’m not one of those women. I’ve spent so much of my life going without or with the bare minimum. I promised myself when I came here, I’d not waste my time or settle. I’ve settled enough.”
“I like that. I like a woman who knows what she wants and won’t settle for less.”
Val couldn’t help but like him. Not only was he handsome and hunky, but he was also... nice? Was that the word? No. Easy going. His presence was easygoing and comforted her. Which was strange because she’d never heard of a ‘nice’ alpha shifter before. It made her wonder why he didn’t already have a mate.
Elle glanced her way, and Val stiffened.
“So you want something before last call?”