Maybe coming on my own wasn't such a great idea. I had to practice my breathing all the way out to Holly's, some thirty minutes or more.

The big sign was visible first from this direction, too. Soon as I saw it, a spike of nerves pulsed through me, despite my breathing.

I wasn't even sure why I was so nervous. Then I caught a glimpse of myself in the rearview.

Oh, yeah.

But I resolved to get past my outfit and get my head in the game. Despite my...costume, my lack of arms (besides my boot knife), and zero back up, I needed to treat this like any other job.

It hadn't taken an hour to dress and drive out here, so I should have plenty of time to scope out the place. The building itself seemed pretty standard (in 'foresty' tones of brown and green), with a large parking lot. I parked in a spot removed from the handful of cars, and got out to look around.

Around the back of the building there was a big white boat of a car parked in an employee space. The pavement dissolved into a spit of dirt, and just beyond lay the tree line. Ray Lake Nature Trail a helpful brown-and-gold sign informed me. I could see the trail, lined with logs on either side, as it snaked through the trees and out of sight.

Sure, let's go trekking through the woods with a man I didn't know. That was a little nuts even if he wasn't a vampire. Beni would rattle off some serial killer statistic...yeah, it was for the best I was on my own.

The back door of the diner popped open. Startled, I spun around, raising my fists--

Ira, in a white Holly's logo t-shirt, stepped outside, carrying two huge trash bags. He froze when he saw me.

"Seth?"

I kept my hands in motion so instead of making a fist, I splayed my palm over my heart. "Oh, my gosh, you scared me."

"Sorry," he said, still standing in the doorway. His eyes slowly climbed my body, but unlike with Evan I didn't let myself be embarrassed.

"I know I'm a little early," I said. "I wasn't sure how long it would take me to get here."

"Oh, it's no problem." He hoisted the trash. "Give me a sec?"

I smiled. "Sure."

He jogged over to an enormous dumpster and tossed the bags in. Seemed he had no problems lifting two restaurant-sized garbage bags. Evidence of vampire strength, or was I seeing what I expected to see?

"Didn't mention you work here," I said as he returned.

"Actually my mom owns it," he said, almost bashful. "I like to help her out when I can."

"How sweet."

"I guess so." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I still have a few more things to take care of inside. Would you like to come in and wait?"

"Oh, uh," My resolve about my clothes lasted a whole five minutes. "I'm not really dressed for diner air." His eyes crinkled like he was trying not to grin. "I think I'll just hang out here. Do some stretches before we start."

"Okay," he said, losing the war with his grin. "I just need to help Mom get the shift switched over, and then I'll be good."

I nodded, and he slipped back inside.

Once he was gone, I went back to the car. Aside from my boot knife, I hadn't brought many weapons. In this ridiculous outfit there was no place to hide them. However, Uncle Rudy had recently perfected a taser hidden as a phone case. Electricity will fry almost anything. Even the gods killed monsters with lightning bolts. A vampire wouldn't stay dead from electrocution, of course, but at least I could get away if I had to.

I snapped the case on. The taser's prongs were hidden in cartoonish devil horns that curved out of a purple heart with wings. Yes, Unky had made it just for me. Hopefully, I wouldn't need it (the power surge would cook my phone beyond repair), but better safe than sorry.

I slipped it in my pocket. Well, tried to, but girl pockets are only like a centimeter deep. Half it stuck out.

"Stupid Shorts," I muttered.

***

When Ira reappeared, he had changed clothes: khaki shorts (which hit him at the knee, unlike mine) and a tank top that revealed so-much-broad shoulder.

"Ready to go?" He asked, all wide smiles. It reminded me of his tour-guide face. Friendly, but professional, like his own version of my own Saint's blankness.

Frowning, I reached out and poked him. My knuckle bent in before his stomach did. He looked down at my finger, then arched a brow at me. The stern brow flipped something low in my gut.

"Yes?"

"You're acting different," I said.

He paused. "You think so?"

"Know so," I countered. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," he said.

"You seemed surprised when I showed up early." I guessed, "Are you embarrassed about something?"

"You know," he said slowly, "you're pretty perceptive."

"I just notice things." I tipped a shoulder.

"So you're smart and pretty?" He teased.

I took a breath so I wouldn't blush. "I didn't say that."

He grinned again, then said, "Maybe I was a little embarrassed."

"Why?"

"It's complicated," he said, "but most of my friends don't really approve of me being here."

I canted my head. "They don't approve of helping your mother?"

Huffing a short laugh, he replied, "Not that, the working in a diner thing."

"Kinda snobbish," I said. "Maybe you need better friends."

He stared down at me for a second, and I started to wonder if I'd overstepped. Then a low smile split his face. "Maybe I do. Thanks, I needed to hear that."

I shrugged. "Sure." He was just looking, not saying much, so I felt compelled to add, "I'm ready."

With a gesture at the trail, he said, "After you."

But I didn't want a potential vampire at my back. "Let's go together."

"Okay." He laughed. "Together."