Town Lore: A Supernatural Monster Hunt (Hunters for Hire Book 2) by Jonathan Yanez

Author:Jonathan Yanez [Yanez, Jonathan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Archimedes Books
Published: 2021-02-13T16:00:00+00:00

Twenty-One

The Italian Stallion was a nice little place with inside and outside seating. Red and white checkered tabletops with flowers in vases. The hostess in front stood behind a wooden podium, greeting guests as they arrived.

The place smelled like fresh bread and garlic. My mouth was already watering even before I sat down.

“Hello, do you have a reservation?” the young hostess asked with a cheerful smile.

“No, I don’t,” I said with a frown.

“It’s okay, let’s see here,” the woman said, looking at the screen in front of her and available tables. “How many?”

“Just me,” I answered.

“Oh.” The girl looked up at me in shock like I had grown an extra head. “Oh, okay, well then, we might be able to fit you in. Sorry, I just thought—you know.”

She looked to her left at the outside patio where couples shared their Valentine’s Day dinners in perfect stomach-churning harmony. Inside was the same; pretty much every table was shared by couples of all ages and ethnicities.

“It’s okay,” I said to myself more than the hostess. “I’m okay taking myself out for dinner.”

“And you should be,” the hostess said higher than she intended. It was like she was ashamed of herself for putting me on the spot and now was ready to make amends. “Seriously, I wish more people would do that. It’s okay to be single. You’re a strong, single male living in the city. Why shouldn’t you be able to go out to eat on Valentine’s Day? I’m going to get you a table right now.”

I’m not sure if the hostess was high on caffeine or thinking she was doing me a favor, but she really got into it now.

“Eddy! Eddy!” the hostess yelled, waving a hand. Everyone outside on the patio and inside looked in our direction. “Eddy! Table for one. Can we get this man a table for one?”

I felt the heat rush to my face and high school hit me all over again. There were all the cool kids sitting in the cafeteria looking as I tried to find a place to sit. But I wasn’t that kid anymore. I was different now. I had grown.

I took a deep, steady breath and met everyone’s gaze head on as they all looked over to see who the poor SOB was looking for a seat.

It was then I realized how much I’d developed, not just physically but emotionally as well. Jonny three months ago might have shied away from the stares or even declined the offer to sit now and just leave.

Not this time. I rolled back my shoulders and waited as Eddy appeared, taking direction from the hostess.

“Sure, sure,” Eddy said with an easy smile. “Do you prefer inside or outside, sir?”

“Outside would be great, thank you,” I remarked.

Eddy showed me to the patio, where a waist-high iron gate sectioned off the restaurant from the sidewalk. A small circular table with two chairs and place settings sat in front of me.

“Will this work?” Eddy asked, ready to pick up the second place setting.

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