Chapter Four

Glorious days needed to happen more often.

I'd gotten off my day job early. Plus, it was one of my rare nights off and coincided with a day off tomorrow from my Old Town gift shop job. I could hang out, watch some TV, splurge on pizza, go to bed whenever I wanted, and sleep in until my busboy shift started at 8 p.m. the next night.

I drove home quickly, trying not to speed, to begin my mini vacation.

Boy was I exhausted. I looked forward to the couch and maybe some Netflix, which was technically my roommate Dez's account, but he generously shared.

I had enough in tips to order a pizza. For snacks, I had popcorn, pretzels, and chocolate chip cookies. When it was a vacation, junk food didn't count as being bad for you.

I was set.

When I walked into our apartment around four thirty, Dez was home early, too. Which was fine. We got along. We didn't get in each other's way at all, and he was sweet.

"Hey there, Rome," he greeted. "You're home early."

"It's utter bliss because I have tonight and tomorrow off until eight."

"You've earned it, dude."

"Thanks. I've got enough to order a pizza. I'm just going to become a big old couch potato. You're welcome to join in."

"I've got plans."

"Oh?"

"You know about Animals, right? I told you it's a nightclub for shifters."

"Oh, that. On the edge of a big hill overlooking downtown?"

"Yep. That's the one. And where I'm headed tonight."

"Do they actually even let humans in?"

He was human but also a part of the shifter world. His stepfather was a shifter who found his true mate in Dez's birth father. Dez told me it was a whole big deal back in the day. Marriage breakup, drama, all happening when he was five years old. He had accepted his stepfather quite easily into the family and called him Papa, so my dragon didn't scare him at all.

Now Dez dramatically clutched at his heart. "I'm wounded you would think the community wouldn't welcome me. Afterall, Papa's a panda."

"I know he's a panda. I didn't know about Animals though. Where I'm from, my flight was very conservative about letting any strangers in, shifter or human."

"Well, Animals isn't like that. Anyway, I'm meeting some coworkers. You should come with me. You keep telling me you need to meet other shifters."

"Dez, you know I can't afford places like that. The cover charge alone—"

He held up his hands to stop me. "It's an anniversary party. It's a big party and a free night."

"Free? But then there's drinks." I shook my head. "Besides, if it's free, everyone and their brother will be there. It'll be so crowded we'll never get in."

"You never know. It's Animals. People say weird things happen there. Like magical things more than shifting. The owner's a witch, you know."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Probably just a rumor."

Still, he was tempting me. As wonderful as Dez was, I got lonely for shifter friends. I had met none yet in San Diego. There hadn't been time. I was just lucky the want ad I'd answered for a roommate had been Dez and not someone weird or unfriendly.

"I'm pretty tired…" I began.

"You can sleep in all day tomorrow. Come with me tonight, and we'll have some fun and get you to meet some shifters."

My dragon perked up with a puff of air and a little whine. He'd heard the word shifter, no doubt. I sometimes thought he was lonelier than I was. He gave me a mental shove which meant, Let's go, go, go.

"I suppose I could afford to order one Coke."

"I'll splurge on appetizers, okay? Now you can't say no."

"I told you I don't want you paying for my food. You already give me so much, and you can barely afford it yourself."

"I can afford this for tonight. My parents sent my birthday check early. Just come. Please?" His voice took on a pleading tone I couldn't resist. Dez was a manipulator when it suited him.

Yes. Yes. Yes.That was my dragon now dancing around inside my head. He was a manipulator, too. Then, mysteriously, he said, Something's there for us. Something we need.

More pens?I almost spoke the phrase aloud.

No. Not pens.

Well, that was new. Mostly my dragon focused on pens and meat. That was it. He was a simple creature.

Now, I had to relent.

"Fine. I'll go. But what the hell should I wear?"

Dez laughed. "Let's see what you have."

One hour later, I was showered and dressed in my best black trousers with one of Dez's fancier button-up work shirts in light blue. No tie. My collar was unbuttoned. Dez rolled his eyes when he saw that and reached out to unbutton two more.

"Now you're cooking," he said. "You need to show off that sweet bod of yours."

"I'm not on the prowl. I have zero time to date."

He winked at me. "You never know."

"I do know."

He turned his back to me. "Besides, isn't your poor inner dragon lonely? Think of him. He deserves this night out. Maybe more than you."

"Yeah, well, this is my life for now. He's going to have to be patient while I work through some stumbling blocks."

"In the meantime, we have tonight. I'll drive. You don't need to worry about a thing."

"Thanks, Dez." I gestured toward the nice shirt. "You've been really good to me."

"Maybe 'cause I'm happy the guy who answered my ad wasn't some random creep but an actual decent guy."

"Same on my end." I nudged him with my elbow.

We walked to his car. It was still light out, but night was falling soon.

Go, go, go.

My dragon was eager to be there already.

The club called Animals on the hill overlooking San Diego beckoned us both.