It was no small feat to wait at the store while customers filed in and out. There were few opportunities to do anything but watch the witch straighten up displays. He had been with her for nearly every hour of the last few days and stalked her for way more than that, so he knew some of her little intricacies.

When she was nervous, she bit her lip or began dusting. If someone said something she didn't like, the air went bitter. And when she received a compliment she would smile just enough to reveal the dimple under her right cheek.

He squeezed the black bat in his hands. It was funny-looking; the wings were crooked and its body had odd lumps. It was nothing like anything else she sold. Maybe that's why she kept it hidden.

"Thank you, come again," she said to some mixed mortal.

Evan stood up and went over to the counter.

"Are you ready to close up now?"

"I think so. It's been a long night."

"Indeed it has."

"Just give me a moment and we'll leave, okay?"

He nodded.

The witch smiled then bit her lip slightly. She did that a lot when she looked at him. Ever since the moment back in the garden, all he could think of was what those lips felt like and how they would feel if he were the one to bite them. He could vaguely recall their softness when his finger touched them yesterday before she completely denied him.

He shouldn't be offended, what she did was for the best. It was just a moment of weakness. Getting physical with a witch would not bring about anything good anyway.

But that didn't stop him from being curious and slightly annoyed with that curiosity.

"Earth to Evan, you ready?"

He snapped to attention and found her already at the door. She gave him one of her half dimpled smiles and he hurried to follow her out of the store like the moon follows the sun.

It only took 24 hours for the underdweller population of Elara to realize a bonafide witch was selling charms in a charming shop on the boardwalk. Perfect timing really, it was the night before the full moon, and the store had a persistent stream of customers for most of the night.

While the witch was busy enchanting items, Selene worked behind the register. It made Evan, who just lurked in a corner far beyond any of the merchandise, feel pretty useless. And that was only in the second hour that the store had been open. All he had to do was be patient, at this rate, the witch would sell out of her merchandise anyway.

He was right.

Before the clock struck midnight, all of the charms, incense, hair whatevers, and even socks had sold out. The witch and Selene were propped against the counter, while he had been sitting in the witch's sewing seat with his eyes closed.

"I did not expect that ugly painting to have that kind of effect," he heard the witch say.

"It makes perfect sense though, especially with all the parties going on soon," Selene added.

Everyone seemed to be excited that this year's mourning moon would be a supermoon. Evan couldn't care less if the moon was slightly bigger than usual, he was excited to see his flower.

"I'm just looking forward to having the night off," the witch said. Did that mean she was looking forward to spending time with him? He could get up and ask, but he'd rather not get caught eavesdropping.

"Soooo do you have any plans?"

"I have to restock the store, so brewing, mostly."

"Well, after you're done, you can come out with me. I can pick you up at 11, that work?"

"No, I'm good."

Evan heard the half-succubus let out a loud exasperated sigh before a sharp shoe kicked into his shin. He jumped up.

"What the hell was that for?"

"Are you doing anything for the full moon? You can come out with me, have some fun, you know, since Vicki won't."

That was never going to happen. Evan couldn't risk being out with her, especially during a full moon when his fangs would be exposed. Surprisingly, Selene's face didn't seem like she was at all serious about her proposal.

"I already have plans."

"Oh? With who?"

Evan pointed at the witch.

Selene looked back at her. "I thought you said you were just brewing."

Evan was surprised Selene didn't see something like this coming. The witch was an expert at deflection, and half-truths came to her easily. She was a lot like him, actually.

"Are you going to have dinner?" Selene asked Evan.

"I didn't plan on it, but sure why not," he said, shrugging.

"And you're going to shave and do something with that mop of hair, right?"

What was wrong with his hair? It was longer than it was a decade prior, but that helped with his disguise, and he wasn't about to let anyone in this town cut it. He kept his facial hair to a minimum, what he thought was a carefully controlled stubble. It was the sort of grungy look he thought mortals liked. Even today he had earned a lot of stares and dodged more than a few flirty conversations. His looks were a non-issue.

"You're going to have to slick it back or," she leaned forward and combed his hair back with her fingers. Why the hell was she touching him? "Pull it back, definitely. You can't expect a woman to put in a ton of effort getting ready while you do nothing."

"I guess you have a point," he grumbled.

Selene pulled Evan from his seat.

"Alright, time for you to go."

"Go? Go where? She's supposed to be staying in my apartment tonight."

"Well, she won't be. She'll be here with me. You can pick her up for whatever you guys are doing tomorrow."

"And the alpha, what if he shows up?"

"We'll light some incense, now go already!"

He looked over to the witch.

"I'll see you tomorrow," she said. "At our first stop, if that's okay."

He had no choice but to nod as the half-succubus shoved him toward the door. Rather than look like a clueless idiot, he began the walk to his apartment. At least he would get to sleep in his own bed again. If he managed to sleep.

There was no chance of that happening when he got home. All he would do is pace or worry until dawn and maybe sleep then. He didn't want to think of his outing with the witch as a date. That came with all sorts of implications. Hell, she didn't even agree to it. She was doing him a favor and he just wanted to see the flower. That was all.

But Selene had roped him into having dinner tomorrow, how would he manage that and keep his identity a secret? His fangs would be obvious as he ate, and regular mortal food was revolting on full moon nights.

He needed to figure that out.

He could just text the witch and explain.

No, for some reason that sounded horrible and impossible since he hadn't asked for her number. And asking for that came with all sorts of implications. He said he would do dinner. Maybe he should do dinner. Yeah, that made perfect sense. And it was romantic, not that romance was the goal. He would just be keeping his word. A night out to see his flower and dinner. Maybe a kiss goodnight. That wouldn't be too far, would it? Just to see what it would be like.

Gods, he was a mess.

He shook his head. At least preparing for the dinner tomorrow would mean he would have extra time before he tossed and turned in bed.