Hollie

“I don’t get it.”

Right. New to this millennium. Go easy on him, Hollie. This is going to take some time, but he’s worth it.

It wasn’t the first time that thought had gone through her head either, but it was still mind-boggling to consider. Although she’d really have preferred that they simply ignored Doug and his ilk, part of her enjoyed the fact that Obsidian had given them what they deserved. The way he’d simply gone up to them, destroyed the cars, and then proceeded to give them the beating of a lifetime was satisfying on a very base level.

She firmly ignored the part where the guns had been aimed at her. Despite all that, she hadn’t felt scared. With Obsidian nearby, she felt completely and totally secure from all danger. Though he’d never stated it, the unspoken vow that he would die before allowing any harm to her had become clear. Hollie had no idea when he’d changed from wanting to kill her and everyone else to now being her guardian, but she kind of liked it.

Despite her speech about feminism—which she still resolutely believed in—knowing that he was there to support her however she needed was kind of nice. In fact, it was giving her butterflies as they stood there in the empty mayor’s office.

She looked up at him, his long hair and somewhat unruly beard hiding what she thought to be a handsome facial structure. And just like that, she knew what to do next.

“Right. So most people don’t work Saturday and Sunday, unless they are in select professions,” she explained, letting him hold the door for her on the way out. The world was different enough—the least she could do was let him feel some familiarity. “It’s called the weekend, and it’s generally used for relaxing and catching up with chores around the house. Follow me so far?”

“Yes. Rest days. The concept is not new.”

“Okay, well, it’s Saturday, and that means we can’t get you in to see anyone until Monday. Two days from now.”

“Oh. Well, I can see how that would be an issue.”

“I’m glad,” she teased. “But I have an idea of how we can spend some time.”

Just then his stomach growled loud enough that she was sure the couple sitting on the bench nearby with ice cream heard it.

“What the hell?” she asked, looking at him. “Is it alive?”

“No, just empty. Was your idea food? Because I’m working on fried squirrel right now, and if I can be honest, I was really just putting on a tough face earlier. That thing was disgusting.”

She started to laugh, and didn’t stop. The frustrated look Sid gave her only encouraged her more, until she was on the verge of tears once more.

“What is so funny?” he asked.

“Sid, the big bad dragon, can’t handle a little roast squirrel. He’s got a weak stomach,” she teased.

The dragon shifter rolled his eyes and blew out air from between his lips. “Oh grow up. Just because I’m a dragon doesn’t mean that my taste buds don’t work.”

She grinned. “Okay, well, let’s go get you some food then. After that, a haircut and shave for sure.”

Sid fell in line, but she could almost sense the frown on his face as they walked toward her favorite pizza place.

“Okay, what is it this time, Scales?”

“Why do you keep calling me that? Scales? Is that supposed to be an insult?”

“Not at all. More like…a term of endearment, maybe even mild affection.” She narrowed her eyes. “So, what’s bothering you?” The topic needed to be changed, and immediately. Hollie didn’t want him asking her why she was referring to him with affection.

“I was trying to understand something.”

She made a gesture to tell him to go on.

“Well, you said that after food you wanted a haircut and a shave. But I just can’t figure out why you would need that. Do you need to shave that badly?”

Hollie choked on her own spit, trying to maintain her composure as they walked the city street. She saw a few people looking their way.

“I meant for you,” she shot back once her voice returned.

“Me? What is wrong with me?” he asked, sounding hurt.

“You look like a wild man. You need to get cleaned up,” she stated. “It will, um, help you present a better case. Trust me.”

She knew that long hair and beards were a thing, but it just didn’t suit Sid. His perfect, slightly tanned skin with clear southern European roots to it was hidden beneath all that hair, and it was a shame. He needed to clean it up and show off his lines. Well, perhaps show off wasn’t the best term. Hollie didn’t want him doing it to other women. It was more of a generalization she was trying to make, not a specific statement.

“You’ll need a suit too,” she said before he could respond.

“A what?”

“A suit. It’s formal wear for this century,” she clarified. “Like that.” She pointed out a couple of other men wearing them.

“Ah, very good.”

She eyed his clothing now. The long sleeve shirt with buttons and a low hemline had an almost eastern-European cut to it, possibly even Asian-influenced, she wasn’t sure. His pants were…well, not from this time either, but sweatpants was probably the closest description. And his feet had sandals on them. Honest-to-goodness sandals. In September. Talk about a fashion faux pas. He definitely needed to be updated with the times.

“Okay, food first though,” she said, ducking into the store.

Sid followed, his nose leading the way, and she smiled. One thing he was going to love about this new era was the availability and selection of food. Possibly even as much as he loved the idea of cars.