“Mmm. Ahh! Oww. Okay. Oww! Okay, stop. Stop!” Nancy sat up on her elbows as Ikher’s head popped up from between her legs.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s your stubble. It’s rubbing me raw,” Nancy said, wincing as she rubbed the inside of her thigh.

  When Ikher’s hand went to his jaw, he grimaced. “Ooh yeah, this is kinda rough. Want me to shave?”

  “You don’t have to. We could try something else until you grow it out,” she said with a wink.

  Ikher pushed himself up and shook his head. “Nah. Gimme a sec. Won’t take long.”

  He stood and walked to the bathroom. Nancy rolled over onto her side and checked her phone before throwing it back into her purse. She laid back, pulling a pillow under her head as she listened to Ikher hum. She knew he was probably dancing to the beat in his head while shaving.

  He walked in a few minutes later. “Okay, here we go.”

  Nancy sat up only to freeze when she saw Ikher was bare-faced. He had removed not only his cheek and jaw stubble, but also his goatee and the little patch under his lip. He stopped when he saw her huge eyes.

  “What’s wrong? Did I cut myself?” he asked, touching his face and looking at his hands.

  “No...” Nancy said, her expression evolving from horrified surprise to aversion.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, putting a hand on her knee. Nancy blinked several times as she looked up at him.

  “You look like you’re ten,” she said after a moment.

  He laughed, putting his hands on his hips. “It’s not that bad.”

  “No... no, it is,” she said, taking in his new face.

  “Wow.” He blinked, not certain what to say. He took a step back and managed, “Okay.”

  Nancy opened her mouth but shut it and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and moved off the bed to stand in front of him.

  “I’m sorry. It’s just... you’re considerably younger than me. I’ve come to terms with it because I enjoy you. But, having it stare me in the face is... difficult.”

  He let out a heavy sigh. “So are we... done then?”

  Nancy shook her head. “What? No! That’s not what I’m saying at all.” She started to speak a couple times before she sighed and deflated. “I think you’re very handsome. It’s just, without your facial hair, you look... very young. Put yourself in my shoes. Technically, I’m old enough to be your mother and I’m sleeping with someone who looks like they could be my son.”

  That was a good point. “Huh, I didn’t think about that. I guess I can see how this is weird then.” He grimaced and looked up to her. “Sorry, I wasn’t trying to creep you out.”

  “Don’t be sorry,” she said, shaking her head. She took his face in her hands and ran her thumb along his smooth cheek as she examined him. “This will just... take me a bit to get used to.”

  “Well, until it grows back, we could try something else,” Ikher said with a shrug.

  Nancy glanced at her watch and frowned. “I’m afraid we’ve run out of time.”

----------------------------------------

  Ikher locked his door as Nancy pulled her coat tight and tied the belt as she descended the steps.

  “Are you certain you don’t want a ride to the store?” she asked as he came down the steps with his hands in his pockets.

  “Nah, I’m good. A walk in the cold every now and then is good for you.”

  “All right.” She leaned down and gave him a quick kiss before walking around her car. “Last chance!” she said, pointing at him and opening her door.

  “I’m good,” Ikher said with a wave as she got in. He sighed as he watched her drive down and take the right at the end of his street.

  “Awww, that’s just adorable,” Janine’s voice said behind him.

  “Jesus!” Ikher jumped and clutched his chest. “How are you so quiet!?”

  He turned to see Janine leaning on his stair railing. Her eyes grew enormous, and a smile crept onto her face before she doubled over laughing. Ikher sighed and rolled his eyes while he waited, but every time she caught her breath and looked at him, she started laughing again.

  “It’s not that funny,” he said as she held her hand up to hide his face. Janine leaned on his railing with her eyes closed, trying to breathe.

  “Yes, it is,” she said after a minute. “Whoooo,” she exhaled, as she took quick glimpses of him and tried not to giggle. “It wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t such a drastic difference.”

  “It’s not THAT drastic.”

  “It is, though! You look like one of those little kids in National Geographic that don’t know what a camera is.”

  “Really?” His fed up face set her to giggling again.

  “Yeah! Looking like you should be waiting outside a Shaolin temple in the rain cause someone murdered your parents.”

  He crossed his arms. “Are you done?”

  “Nope! You remind me of one of those little mini egg rolls.”

  “Okay, that’s kinda racist.”

  “It is. I’m sorry. But I’m not,” she said before shaking her head. “Damn. It’s like you never had facial hair. Was that goatee glued on?”

  “Okay, I’ve got chores,” he said and turned to go.

  She caught his arm. “No, for real! I’m complimenting your shave. Your jawline is clean as hell.” She held her hand out. “Lemme touch it.” Janine stroked his cheek with the back of her hand as he squinted at her. “Daaamn. That shit is smooth. It’s like a baby’s ankle.”

  Ikher rolled his eyes and started up the sidewalk. “Okay. I’m going for real now.”

  Janine caught his arm again. “Hey, you know I’m just playing with you right. Are we cool?” Her face was serious.

  Ikher took a deep breath and nodded. “Yeah, we’re cool.”

  “Good,” she snorted. “I wouldn’t want your big brother to come beat me up.”

  Ikher shook his head and left her laughing on the sidewalk.

----------------------------------------

  Ikher backed into the Corner Pitch with his groceries. He grabbed his seat and put his bags at his feet. Billie, putting tumblers away under the liquor wall, glanced at him in the mirror and waved.

  “Be done in a sec. You want the usual?”

  “Please,” he said as he took off his hat and scarf. Billie stood up a minute later, turned around, and froze. Her jaw dropped.

  “Oooh nooo.” She put a hand over her mouth. “What did you do?”

  “I know, I know,” he said, holding his hands up.

  “ERIC!!!”

  A few moments later Eric came out of the back. “What? Oh hey Ik- Holy shit!” he said, taking an unconscious step back.

  “I know right?!” Billie said waving to Ikher.

  Eric crept over to Ikher, examining him. “Dude! You’re like a whole separate person. It’s you but... it’s not.” He looked to Billie. “Can we even serve him? There’s alcohol here.”

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  “I bet there’s an amber alert on TV right now.” Billie said, making Ikher glare at her.

  “How’d he even get up on that stool? Do we have any high chairs?”

  “Come on,” Ikher sighed. “I’ve been getting it all day about this.”

  “You seem a little cranky, buddy. You need a nap?” Billie said.

  “How about some warm milk?” Eric said, which made Billie howl. “I think we might have some crayons if you wanna color til your mom comes to get you.”

  Ikher sighed, grabbed his bags, and stood. “I’m just gonna go home and hide for a week until this grows back out.”

  “Aww, don’t go. We mock because we love you, man,” Eric said.

  “Yeah! And you’ll get in trouble if they catch you skipping school,” Billie yelled as the door closed.

  Ikher got home, put away his groceries, laid on his couch, and looked at the ceiling cracks. He jumped when his pocket vibrated. It was Nancy calling.

  “Hey Nance, what’s up?”

  There was a half second pause. “Ikher, is everything alright?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Are you sure? You don’t sound like you.”

  He let out a weak chuckle. “Yeah, I’m good. I’ve been getting beat up all day about shaving.”

  “Ugh, Ikher, I’m so sorry,” Nancy said. “That’s why I called. I feel terrible about this morning.”

  “Don’t be. It’s all right,” he said, waving his hand.

  “It’s not all right. I shouldn’t have said what I did. If you’d said I looked old, I’d be offended.”

  “Well,” he shrugged. “I do look younger.”

  “You do, but that’s not a bad thing and I shouldn’t have made such a big deal out of it.”

  “Well thank you, but you don’t have to apologize.”

  “Yes, I do. Can I take you to dinner to make up?”

  “Umm, yeah, I guess. Where do you want to go?”

  “No. I’m apologizing for being mean, so it’s your pick.” He raised his head off the couch and looked around his living room as he thought.

  “Umm, I have no idea,” he said. “I don’t eat out much. Do you like bar food?”

  There was a bit of silence on the line before she said, “If that’s what you want. I was thinking more of an actual restaurant, but it’s your choice. My only ask is that it’s a clean place.”

  He laughed. “I was joking. I’ll see what I can find.”

  “Well, you have two-and-a-half hours to decide,” she said. “I have a conference call so I need to let you go, but I’ll see you tonight, okay?”

  “Sounds good, bye,” he said and flipped his phone shut. “What the hell is there to eat around here?”

----------------------------------------

  “I still can’t believe that you tried to pay!” Nancy said with a laugh as she parked.

  “You can’t blame me for trying!”

  She laughed again and glared at him from the driver’s seat. “I can. You don’t pay for your own apology dinner!”

  “I forgot that’s what we were there for,” he shrugged with his hands out.

  They got out and as they walked toward his house, Ikher looped his hand around her arm.

  “It’s a nice night. You wanna go for a walk in the park?"

  Nancy’s brows came together as she looked at him and then to the dark path into the park.

  “Right now? It’s a little cold and dark, don’t you think?”

  “I’ll keep you warm.” Ikher winked and put his arm around her waist. Besides, we should walk off that meal.”

  “I don’t know. They still haven’t caught Nadia’s killer. I don’t think it’s wise to be in there after dark.”

  Ikher pulled her close. “I’ll keep you safe. The news said he took all his victims when they were alone. So together we should be okay.”

  Nancy looked between him and the path a few times before she sighed and nodded. “All right.”

  When they started down the dirt path, she had a tight grip on his arm. She kept looking around, watching the shadows cast by the full moon. When they reached the old willow tree, Ikher patted her hand and led her off the path.

  “Quick detour to say hi."

  He helped her navigate the tree’s root maze and when they got close, let her go and threw his arms around the tree. Ikher looked back to see Nancy’s head tilted to the side as she watched him. Laughing, he waved her over.

  “Isn’t this tree cool? I’ve never seen one this big,” he said with a big grin. Nancy followed the trunk up and could see the stars through its bare canopy.

  “It is big now that I’m this close,” Nancy said, taking in the trunk’s width. “I’ve seen it on my runs but never paid it much mind.”

  “I try to come out and chat with it every day when I remember.”

  One of Nancy’s eyebrows went up. “You talk to it? I’ve heard of people talking to their plants, but not trees.”

  He nodded. “Yeah, my mom made me promise to come check on it.”

  “Your mother sounds... interesting,” Nancy said with an amused look on her face.

  “Heh. Mom’s an old hippie. She loves stuff like that.”

  “Hmm,” Nancy said with a nod and her eyes narrowed at him. “I see where you get some things from now. The dots are connecting.”

  “You and her are a lot alike,” he said as they made their way back out onto the path.

  Nancy chuckled. “You think I’m a hippie?”

  He shook his head. “Nooo. I mean, you’re both really smart and don’t take crap from people.”

  “Well, if you put it that way your mother sounds pretty great,” she said with a wink.

  “She is.” He squinted at Nancy. “I think you two would be good friends or really bad enemies,”

  “Well, let’s hope for the former.”

  They reached the paved path alongside the river and Nancy deflated a bit and said, “My god, it’s been forever since I ran.”

  Ikher poked her with his elbow. “You’ve been getting your exercise elsewhere.”

  She laughed. “For my heart, maybe. My legs miss the run.”

  “I think your legs are just fine.”

  “Well, thank you,” she said and squeezed his arm.

  They walked a little way along the river before they stopped at a small break in the concrete wall.

  Ikher stopped her and said, “Remember this?”

  Nancy looked around for a moment before she paused, closed her eyes, and hung her head.

  “I do, this is where I assumed you were homeless and was rude.”

  “What?! No! That’s not what I meant!” he said, shaking his head. He took her hands in his. “I meant this was the first time we met! I wasn’t trying to make you feel bad, I promise!"

  “Well, our first meeting wasn’t the best,” she said with a weak smile.

  “I don’t think that.” He squeezed her hands and gave her a big smile. “Really, it’s okay. I laughed about you calling me homeless when we met again, remember?”

  “You mean when you accosted me as I was starting my run?”

  “I dunno if ‘accosted’ is the way I remember it.”

  “Very well, how about... when we negotiated parking rights?”

  “Heh. Had we negotiated anything, I think I would have lost.”

  “Don’t be so sure, you can be very persuasive. You’ve convinced me to do a lot of things I wouldn’t have considered otherwise."

  “That’s just cause you had the hots for me,” he said with a shrug.

  She laughed. “Not entirely untrue.” Nancy put her hand on the side of his smooth face. Her face became serious as she looked him in the eyes. “I’m sorry about this morning.”

  “You don’t have to apolo-,” he started, but she put a finger over his lips.

  “I do,” she said. “You say it’s okay, but I saw your face when I said it,” she said, removing her finger. “I know what it’s like for something out of your control to be held against you. Even though I didn’t mean it to be hurtful, it was. I’m sorry for hurting your feelings and for not controlling myself. I will be better.”

  He smiled. “Thanks.”

  “You’re very welcome,” she said before cupping his face and kissing him. She pulled back and put her arms over his shoulders. Ikher’s hands settled on her hips.

  A mischievous grin crawled across her face. Nancy took his scarf and wrapped his lower face. Only his eyes peeked out from between his hat and scarf.

  “There,” she said, very proud of herself. “With no facial hair, you need extra protection.”

  “Funny,” he said, his breath misting through the scarf between them. He moved his hands up and tickled her ribs, making her squeal and jump.

  “No!” she said with a step back as she grabbed his arms.

  “I won’t. I won’t,” he said, holding his hands up. She eyed him warily as he stepped around her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She watched him over her shoulder for a moment before settling in, resting her arms on his.

  They watched the river reflect the moon for a bit before something moved or broke back in the park. Nancy turned to look, eyes darting.

  “Maybe we should head back?” Ikher said.

  “Yes, please.”

  When they turned to go, Ikher deftly slipped his hand into hers and held it as they walked. He glanced over to see a small smile on her face.

  “You know,” Ikher said. “There’s a theory that it was a vampire that did all those murders.”

  When she didn’t reply, he looked to find her staring at him. She had that predatory look where she was picking something apart. When she spoke, it was slow and careful.

  “Ikher, you know vampires aren’t real, right?”

  Ikher sighed and shot her an annoyed look. “Come on! Yes, I know they’re not real. You were worried, so I was trying to lighten the mood.”

  Her head tilted to her shoulder, and she squeezed his hand.

  “Thank you, I am worried, but feel better that you’re here,” she said as they turned off the concrete for the dirt path. They walked in silence until they reached the big willow tree.

  “Do you have a passport?” Nancy asked, making Ikher look over at her.

  He rubbed his chin. “Umm, I think so, but it’s probably expired. The last time I used it was when I was little.”

  “You should renew it,” Nancy said and swung his hand as they walked.

  “Okay, why?”

  “I’m opening a convention center in Vindenburg next year. I want you to come with me.”

  Ikher blinked a couple times and shook his head, not sure he heard her. “Really?”

  She nodded. “Mmhmm.”

  “Umm, yeah, sure. Wait, where is that?” he asked, making her laugh.

  “Germany. Have you ever been?”

  “No, just Spain, England, and Thailand on family trips.”

  “Well, we’re going to have some fun then,” Nancy said with a big smile as she squeezed his hand.

  Ikher thought for a moment, then asked. “How much do you think it’ll be so I can save?”

  She stopped and pulled his arm so he turned to her. “Ikher, I’m not going to invite you to go and then ask you to pay for it!”

  “Oh wow, really?”

  She laughed. “Yes, really.”

  They continued walking and when they could see his house, Ikher asked, “So, we’re taking your private jet then?”

  Nancy shook her head. “No. Private jets are wasteful and the upkeep on them is ludicrous. I sold my father’s when he died. We’ll go first class.”

  He chuckled. “I was joking. Honestly, I’m good with coach.”

  She shook her head again. “No, I need quiet and legroom. Coach doesn’t allow that,” she said as they rounded to the front of his house.

  “Hey, I’m just happy to be invited. Speaking of legroom. Hold on a sec,” he said, stopping her at the bottom of his stairs. Ikher took one step and turned, smiling. “Ha! I knew this would be about right.”

  On the first step he was eye level with Nancy. She looked down at the step and laughed.

  “Should I bring flats when I visit?” she said, putting her hands on her hips.

  “Nope. Wear what you want,” he said, grabbing her and pulling her to him. “I might have to invest in a step stool, though. This eye-level thing is kinda nice.”

  “Get a room, you two!” Janine called out from across the street. Nancy’s brows furrow as she turned to look.

  “That’s rude,” Nancy said as she watched Janine get into her beat-up van.

  Ikher chuckled and pulled Nancy so she looked back to him. “Nah, that’s just her being funny. She called us adorable this morning.”

  “Hmm, you are pretty adorable,” she said and put her arms over his shoulders. She leaned in, put her lips next to his ear and whispered. “Maybe we should get that room. We have to make up for this morning.”

  “We’re in luck,” he whispered back. “I happen to have one.” He took her hand and led her inside.