Starlight Web (Moonshadow Bay #1) - Yasmine Galenorn Page 0,84
I’m generalizing, but if you don’t have a place in your heart for the other species on this planet, it doesn’t bode well for getting along with people who are different from you.”
I nodded, finishing off my waffle. “I like that you’re a veterinarian. It makes me happy.”
He laughed. “Well, that makes me happy to hear. Want to go shopping while we wait for the carnival to open?”
“Yes! I need to buy presents. I haven’t bought anything yet, though my list is much shorter this year given I don’t have to buy the usual obligatory gifts for Ellison’s friends. I can’t tell you how tired I got ordering boxes of cigars and generic gift baskets.” I frowned, pulling out a piece of paper and a pen from my purse. “I need to buy for my aunt, and for Ari. And I think I’ll pick up little gifts for everyone at work.” I paused. We had just hit another awkward part. Should I put him on the list? Should I say anything? I didn’t want him to feel obligated to exchange gifts if he hadn’t been planning on it.
But once again, Killian saved the day. “I think you’ll like what I’m getting you. By the way, I don’t expect anything in return, but I would like to spend the Solstice with you, unless you have other plans.”
I jotted his name down on the list. “Of course I’m getting you something. Ari and I were talking about doing something together for Solstice Eve, and her girlfriend will be there and my aunt. I hope you’ll come. We can do a midnight ritual in the snow.”
“That sounds lovely,” Killian said. He pulled out his wallet. “Here, let me get breakfast.”
“No, I invited you out.”
“Hush, woman. I’m still old-fashioned enough that I like to pay for dates. Tell you what, you can buy me dinner this week, all right?” He tossed thirty dollars on the table.
“That’s a good tip,” I said, blurting out the words. “I’m sorry. I always used to run back into the dining room and leave an extra tip when Ellison and I ate out. I got very creative about my excuses. He was cheap.”
“I know how hard it is to make a living on a job waiting tables. I did that through my college years. I’m not about to stiff anybody.” He held my coat for me as I slid my arms in, and then we pushed through the door.
The snow was drifting down in big, lazy flakes. I glanced at my watch. It was almost 10:30. “I want to stop in at Rarities, Inc. Ari was telling me about a vase that she fell in love with but decided not to buy. She thought it was extravagant. Which means it probably isn’t expensive, but she didn’t feel justified in buying it.”
“Where’s the shop?” Killian asked.
“Right down the street, across from the lingerie boutique.” I looped my arm through his as we strolled down the street, the throng of shoppers increasing. “The carnival’s going to be packed today. Oh, there is it,” I said, pointing across the street.
Killian glanced at Lace & Leather, the lingerie shop we were standing beside. “You own anything from there?” he whispered, leaning down to nibble on my ear.
I wasn’t sure whether to blush or smack him. “Not yet. I do, however, have a gorgeous black nightgown.” I turned to look in the store window and froze. There, in the window, was the most beautiful blue nightgown I’d seen. It had a halter top, sheer, and indigo blue with sparkling sequins that mimicked stars against a night sky. Crystal beads glistened around the plunging neckline.
“What is it?” Killian asked, turning his head to look at what I was staring at. “Oh, that’s gorgeous.”
“It’s beautiful,” I said, breathless.
“Do you want it?” he asked.
“What?” I stared at him. “Me?” I paused, wondering if I could pull it off. I could do sexy, but this gown was elegant, and made me think of a Faerie queen. “I don’t know if I could…if they have my size,” I said, shifting my thoughts.
“Why don’t we find out?” Killian steered me into the shop.
Flo Johansen owned the shop. She had owned the place since I was a little girl. At this point, she had to be in her eighties. She was behind the counter, looking as proper as ever in her linen pantsuit. She had the same suit in a number of different colors, and as hard as I tried, I