The Phoenix Nest by Arizona Tape

Author:Arizona Tape [Tape, Arizona]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Vampari Press

13

When I got to the kitchen, nobody was there yet. I contemplated going back to my room but a glance at the clock confirmed it would be a waste of time. The party could start any minute and it was more awkward to walk in later than be here at the start. I just didn’t want it to look like I’d been waiting so I made myself a cup of tea to keep busy.

With a steaming mug in hand, I settled on the couch and tried to enjoy the last moments of peace and quiet before the kitchen would turn into a madhouse.

“Hello, little lady,” a voice said from behind me.

I groaned at the greeting and reluctantly turned around, already knowing who it was from. “Hey, Aaron.”

He shot me a big grin, one he obviously thought was charming. Effortlessly, he heaved a full crate of beers on the kitchen island and ran his hand through his shaggy brown hair. “You going to Jungle later?”

“What’s it to you?”

“I’m doing a headcount for the taxi.” His curious gaze landed on me. “Is that friend of yours coming too?”

“What friend?”

“The cute werewolf intern with the black curls. What’s her name. Regina?”

“Ramona,” I corrected him wryly. “And don’t even think about it.”

He shrugged innocently. “I’m not thinking about anything.”

“I don’t believe you. I know you don’t care but she’s just had her heart broken so back off.”

“Aww, is someone jealous?”

I fake-vomitted. “I’m gay, Aaron.”

“Never stopped me before.”

“Well, it’s stopping me,” I quipped back. I hated his cocky attitude. It had been bearable when we first arrived at the Sanctuary but as he’d gotten an ‘intern promotion’ and a job offer for after, his confidence had grown out of this world. It was a real shame, he seemed like such a nice guy when we met.

“How’s life as an apprentice vet?” Aaron inquired as he grabbed a beer from the crate. He pulled the cap off and held it out to me. “Want one?”

“Thanks.” I accepted the drink and took a quick sip. “And good. I’m enjoying it. We’re currently spending a lot of time with the phoenixes, it’s mating season.”

“Oh, cool. Are there any eggs yet?”

I nodded. “We candled a clutch yesterday. Only one fertile out of five.”

“Aw, that’s sucky.” Aaron’s interest disappeared when Ramona and Felicity walked in. He quickly waved them over, the eagerness showing on his face. “Hey, ladies. You’re looking awfully nice.”

To my relief, Felicity seemed completely unaffected by his compliment. Then again, she had one of the best poker faces I’d ever seen so who knew what was truly going on inside. She just rolled her eyes and ignored his remark.

Ramona seemed less unaffected. She giggled uncharacteristically and racked her gaze up and down Aaron’s body. “Hi. You don’t look too bad yourself.”

“Can you tell I work out?” Aaron boasted, reaching in the crate for two more bottles. “Beer?”

Ramona eagerly accepted, her eyes never leaving his. “I can tell.”

I tuned out their flirting, glancing to the left where Felicity was checking something on her phone.

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