Chapter 1

Elijah Gray sworehe'd never move back to Moonlight Falls and refused to accept it had happened anyway. His current relocation wasn't permanent. Therefore, it didn't count.

He'd been in the small town for a week, had moved back in with his brother James, and had settled into his old room at their late grandmother's house where they'd grown up. James had been living alone in the house for years, and it hadn't changed much, making it familiar in a way Eli disliked.

Maybe if he redecorated his bedroom it wouldn't remind him how much he hated this place, like a time capsule of teen angst, sadness, and loss. But that would mean accepting he was here. Besides, it was good to remember that he'd be happy to leave no matter what happened during his stay.

Six months wasn't long, even if the dramatic part of him was convinced it might as well be forever. Eli was here to research magical anomalies in Moonlight Falls. His master's thesis supervisor thought sending him on this mission, rather than any of the other students, was perfect, almost like fate, since Eli had grown up here. Eli had wanted to argue against the sentiment, but the field research intrigued him and the project had too much potential for him to pass up.

Studying magic was his dream, and he wouldn't let his dislike for Moonlight Falls ruin it.

As much as he wished he could spend the next six months buried in books, only surfacing to conduct experiments on the vein of magical power running through town, Eli had gotten himself a part-time job at the local diner. He'd sublet his room in Los Angeles, but tuition wasn't cheap. He'd always worked alongside his studies.

He'd been lucky to find a job in a place as small as Moonlight Falls. It was a tiny blip in a sea of trees so far north in California that you were almost in Oregon. He'd worked at the town's general store in high school, but they hadn't had any current job openings. Not that he had to do more than mention to James that he needed a job. Moonlight looked after its own, the people here always said, and before the end of the week, Eli had been given several shifts waiting tables at the diner.

It was nice of James to look out for him. His older brother always had, even before their parents had died. But Eli wouldn't have minded if he'd had to commute to Apple Valley, their nearest neighbor almost an hour south, for a job.

Sadly, dwelling on his wish to get out of town would only make him late for his first shift.

Eli pushed his thoughts away and got out of his car, eyeing Moonlight Diner's back door. It felt silly to drive to work when the walk would have been fifteen minutes, but he'd be getting off late, and dealing with shades at night wasn't on his to-do list.

The annoying beasts could swoop around his car all they wanted as he drove home. He didn't have to worry about hitting them because their waspy bodies were made of shadows.

Moonlight Falls was notorious for its shade population, drawing tourists from all around. After growing up here, Eli wasn't fazed by the otherworldly pests, but he'd gotten used to living in a city where you could almost forget the supernatural existed. He didn't want to come face-to-face with anything from Beyond if he could help it.

Eli locked his car and entered the diner. The door creaked, announcing his arrival.

"Elijah," a deep voice called out. "That shirt looks good on you."

Eli turned to see Parker Hayes inside a small office next to the storage room. Parker assessed Eli with a familiar serious yet appreciative expression as he leaned against the edge of a desk, thick thighs taut in his jeans, long legs stretching before him. His arms were crossed over his broad chest, making the bulk of his muscles impossible to miss.

Eli felt like he'd missed the last step on his way down the stairs. "Hi."

Parker was also wearing a Moonlight Diner T-shirt. It was a snug fit, the navy-blue sleeves tight around his biceps. Eli wasn't sure why he noticed. Was it just because Parker had commented—probably jokingly—about him looking good in the same shirt? He'd known Parker for years. He was James's best friend, but Eli couldn't remember ever paying this much attention to the guy's arms.

Parker got up from the desk. "Here, I've got an apron for you." He picked up a folded navy-blue bundle and handed it over.

"Thanks." Eli unraveled it and began tying it around his waist.

"It's great to have you here." Parker clapped him on the shoulder, his grip firm and warm.

Eli fumbled the knot of his apron. He hadn't seen Parker since he'd been back. He'd skipped going over to his house with James on Sunday, even though he'd been invited. Parker looked the same as ever, square jaw lined with dark stubble, tanned skin, harsh brows, and a serious set mouth. But something was different, and Eli couldn't figure out what it was.

He shifted his weight as Parker let go of his shoulder, searching for something to say. "I've got plenty of restaurant experience, so I'm sure I'll catch on fast."

Parker nodded. "Of course you will. I'm not worried about that. I meant it's great to have you back in town. Having you at the diner is just a bonus."

"Oh." Eli finally got the apron tied. "I mean, I'm only here for my project."

Parker frowned slightly. "Still good to have you around."

Was it? Parker had to be thinking about James. Eli couldn't see any other reason Parker would want him back in Moonlight Falls.

James was excited to have Eli home, and there was no doubt Parker cared about his friend's happiness. This would be the longest James and Eli had spent together since Eli had left for college. Normally, he only visited on holidays. He'd always seen Parker on those visits, but it wasn't like his brother's best friend had been hoping to spend more time with him.

If Parker hoped Eli was moving back here permanently, it was only in the way Eli suspected Parker hoped everyone who grew up in Moonlight Falls would return home. That was the thing about his place. The people born here couldn't seem to help coming back. Some citizens, Parker and James among them, thought the magic here drew them in.

Parker was one of the biggest believers in the mystics of Moonlight Falls. He had a strong magical ability, so maybe he was experiencing something Eli couldn't detect. As unlikely as it was, maybe Moonlight Falls really did call to people. Just not Eli.

He had no magical ability, so he was probably missing out on that magnetic pull people swore by—if it existed. Not that he minded being unable to cast spells. He could study magic academically. And there was no way he wanted to have a subconscious attachment to a place where so many bad things had happened to him.

"Why do you look like you don't believe me when I say it's good to have you around?" Parker cocked a brow. He had more than a few inches on Eli. Combined with his bulk and stoic demeanor, it was a recipe for an intimidating figure. If Eli hadn't known Parker so well, the way he was looking down at him would have made him nervous.

Eli shifted under Parker's gaze. "I believe you. Being back is weird, that's all." Not that he was back back, but he didn't need to keep pressing the point.

"It wouldn't be Moonlight Falls if it wasn't weird." Parker smiled mischievously, lines crinkling around his eyes, bringing warmth to his usually cool face.

Eli swore he felt that warmth hot on his own cheeks. He laughed unsteadily. It was almost like he was nervous, but not because Parker intimidated him.

"Come on, I'll introduce you to everyone working tonight. You'll be shadowing Kaylin out front." Parker clapped him on the shoulder again, then led him out of the office and through the kitchen.

Eli's skin tingled like Parker's touch had left something electric behind. That had never happened before, and Eli knew they'd touched loads of times in the past. Not that he remembered any specific time. He wasn't sure why he was thinking so much about it now. People touched. It was normal.

As Eli followed Parker and listened to how the diner was run, he couldn't help thinking his reactions to Parker were anything but normal today. Eli noticed attractive men from time to time, but how could he not? It'd just been a natural observation and didn't mean anything. Eli was straight. However, he wasn't entirely sure why he had to remind himself of his straightness as Parker pointed out the staff roster with a wave of a well-toned arm.

Eli wasn't thinking about Parker's arms like that. He never had. He just appreciated fitness when his own body was so different, softer and paler, and probably not as strong.

He stuck his hands in his apron pockets.

"If you need anything, just ask." Parker concluded his rundown of operations. "Everyone here will be happy to help, but you can always come to me if that's more comfortable. No matter what it is, okay?"

Eli's face was hot again. It was as if Parker couldn't help looking out for him, even when he didn't need it. He'd worked in way busier restaurants than this and wasn't worried about fitting in at the diner. But he was eight years younger than Parker, and even at twenty-four, Eli suspected Parker would always see him as the kid he'd been when they'd first met.

He wasn't sure why that disappointed him.

When Eli didn't reply, Parker's attention turned assessing. "You all right? You seem different."

Eli's stomach fluttered. Different how? "I'm good," he insisted. "Will we be working together a lot?" He realized he'd never spent time with Parker without James. Maybe that's what was throwing him off tonight.

Parker shrugged. "Probably. The schedule can vary, but I'm here most days, even when I'm not cooking." He was the head chef and owned the diner with his parents. It had been in their family for fifty years.

"Cool." Eli nodded. Maybe he should say something more, but he couldn't think of anything that sounded natural.

Parker grabbed a white apron and slipped it on. "You're going to like it here, trust me."

Eli didn't want to like working at the diner, but he was happy he'd be seeing more of Parker and found himself agreeing. "I've always liked coming here to eat, so I'm sure you're right."

Parker chuckled. "I'm surprised you haven't asked for a piece of Moonlight pie yet."

Eli huffed. "I'm saving it for my break." The pistachio cream pie was a town classic, served with blue star-shaped sprinkles. It was Eli's favorite.

Parker's lips turned up in a sly smile. "Be good, and I'll make you a whole pie to take home one of these nights."

Eli's face went red. Parker was just teasing. That was typical of him. But the idea of being good for Parker lit Eli up like a neon sign.

He pushed the strange reaction away. It made no sense. He was being unbearably awkward tonight. Hopefully, it wouldn't be like this every time he and Parker worked together, but even if it was, at least this whole set up was temporary. The reason Eli suddenly felt weird was irrelevant. He'd be back to his life in LA soon enough, and nothing in Moonlight Falls would change that. Especially not Parker Hayes.