Fanged Love by

“Thanks for the advice, Dr. Love Genius,” I tease Dad.

“That’s what dads are for.” He crosses his eyes, making me laugh. “I can’t help looking out for you. I just want you to be happy.” He jabs a finger at me. “So no dating guys that set off my Danger, Will Robinson alert.”

I roll my eyes and settle back in my seat.

“Psst, you think we’ll win something?”

I shift to meet his eyes, and he looks so hopeful I know there’s only one right answer. “Absolutely.”

I walk with my family to the restaurant where we’re meeting Neli and Boz for dinner. We’re really here! Bordeaux is beautiful with so many well-preserved majestic buildings. I’ve already seen a cathedral, a palace, and an opera house in the neoclassical style with impressive Greek columns. The wine competition takes place at a modern-looking conference center and exhibit hall with lots of glass to let the light shine in.

My pulse thrums through my veins in my eagerness to see Boz again. I spent extra time getting ready tonight. I’m wearing my long hair down, and I applied just enough makeup for a subtle glow. My dress is new—a steal from Target—but I think it says elegant sophistication. It’s a pale pink floral dress with cap sleeves and a shallow V neck in the formfitting bodice. The hem ends at my knees, falling in a diagonal to my ankles in back. Light beige open-toed high-heeled sandals complete the look. Will he notice?

My dad stops at an elegant-looking restaurant, ornate carved pillars flanking the door. He holds the door for us and ushers us in. “Ladies.”

I step in first, noticing the crisp white tablecloths and expensive-looking art on the walls—all colorful abstract splashes or clumpy portraits of people holding black umbrellas. But none of that holds my attention as my body starts to tingle, sensing Boz is near. How or why I react physically to him in such a strange way, I don’t know.

My eyes search the dimly lit space for the man I can’t seem to stop thinking about. And Neli, of course. I spot them at a long banquette table in the back. Neli’s glaring at a man sitting alone at a nearby table.

I wave to her. She immediately smiles and stands. “Bonsoir! Glad you found the place.”

Boz stands and inclines his head in greeting. My breath catches. He’s stunning in an expensive-looking navy suit tailored to his exquisite muscular perfection. Every nerve ending sparks to life.

My mom rushes forward, thanking them both profusely for everything.

“It is nothing,” Boz says modestly.

“It’s everything,” I say.

His silvery eyes lock on mine for an intense moment. I fight the urge to draw closer. His pull is magnetic.

Eliza and Mabel bound forward, hugging Neli and thanking her for everything. Then they gush over Boz.

“You’re so generous,” Eliza says, looking up at him under her lashes.

Oh my God, is my baby sister flirting with him? She’s seventeen!

“We can’t thank you enough,” Mabel says in a high reedy voice.

Boz holds up a hand. “Consider me thanked, girls. We are happy to have you as our guests.”

“Killer suit,” Eliza says, looking up and down Boz’s body.

Boz shoots Neli a questioning look. She does a quick head shake.

“You look…” Mabel starts.

“So hot,” my sisters say in appreciative unison and then giggle madly. So embarrassing.

Boz studies the ceiling, refraining from comment.

“Girls, take a seat,” Mom says, shooing them over to sit by Neli. “You’re embarrassing yourselves.” She follows closely behind, whispering in a low fierce tone to them. Mom lecture on manners coming right up!

Boz holds out the chair next to him and catches my eye, gesturing toward it. I take the seat, smiling at his old-fashioned manners. My dad takes the chair on my other side.

After we’re all seated and the waiter takes our drink order, Mom fills Neli and Boz in on the safe delivery of the wine to the judging area. My parents took care of that while I took a much-needed nap. I definitely shouldn’t have slept because now I feel wide awake and wired. Like I could stay up all night.

Neli’s gaze lands again on the man sitting alone. I glance over, and he quickly brings a newspaper up in front of his face. I only caught a glimpse of thick glasses, but something about him seems familiar.

I lean across the table to whisper to Neli, “Is that someone from home? He looks familiar, but I can’t place him.”

“Who?” Neli asks, shooting a glance at Boz.

I point toward my own palm to indicate the guy without directly pointing. “The guy you keep looking at sitting alone with the thick glasses.”

She shakes her head. “Never seen him before. I caught him checking me out and was letting him know I’m not interested.” She sounds tense.

“Oh.”

Boz slowly turns, his steely gaze settling on the man. The guy peeks around his newspaper and startles, dropping it. He quickly leaves.