Dark Hearts (Light in the Dark 3)

I sigh. There’s never a dull day when you work for Eli.

“Shouldn’t we be more concerned with Thanksgiving decorations if you’re planning to decorate?” I ask, beginning to mix a drink for a customer.

Eli rests his elbows on the bar. His dark hair is speckled with glitter. I don’t think I’ll ever understand his obsession with glitter. The shit gets everywhere and won’t go away.

Eli waves a hand dismissively at my words. “Nobody cares about Thanksgiving. It’s Halloween and Christmas and that’s it. Nothing else matters.”

I laugh. “Speak for yourself. I think a lot of people like other holidays.”

“Then they’re stupid.”

I shake my head. Eli has no filter. It’s one reason I like him as a boss.

“Move, Jacen,” Matilda snaps, bumping me as she passes.

If she was a guy, I swear I would’ve hit her by now.

“Matilda,” Eli scolds, but that’s as far as it goes.

I give the customer their drink and return to Eli. “So, who’s going to hang these ornaments from the ceiling?” I ask.

“You, of course.”

I sigh. I should’ve known.

“Hey,” Nova greets breathlessly, dropping onto one of the stools.

“Hey,” Eli says.

“She was talking to me,” I tease, and wink at her.

“Why?” Eli wrinkles his nose. “I’m cuter.”

“I need your help,” Nova says to me, ignoring Eli’s comment.

“With what?” I lean my elbows on the bar.

“I need to take your picture.”

I groan. “No.”

“Please?” she pouts. “It’s for school. I have a project and I have the perfect idea, but I need your help for it.”

I tug on my hair. “I’m not getting out of this, am I?”

She shakes her head. “Nope.”

“Out of the way, Jacen.” Matilda bumps me again as she passes.

Nova snorts. “I know you hate your full name, but adding the en to your name still isn’t that great of an insult.”

“Don’t say that where she can hear or she might have to get creative.”

She laughs. “She doesn’t have the brains to be creative.”

“Be nice, kids,” Eli warns.

“Sorry, Dad,” I joke.