Lola's was possibly the nicest café Jack had ever been in. Everything was pristine, the tables and chairs matched, and they had cloth napkins wrapped around their utensils. Compared to Jack's usual haunts, the place was too good for him. He was thankful that his makeover made it so that he didn't stand out.

Jack had made the effort to show up first and linger around the pastry case and art pieces hanging on the exposed brick walls. He'd already been seated, but he wanted to spread his scent around in an effort to confuse Augie. He had no clue how scent worked, but he figured it was worth a try. He hoped it would be how some perfumes and the smell of pot lingered after the person had left.

Could he trick a vampire? Kieran had been able to pick Jack out of a small crowd the first time they met. He should have asked how it worked.

There were plenty of other people in the café, and a particularly rowdy bunch of college students were gathered in a corner, bent over a board game and constantly shushing each other. If he screwed up to the point of being kidnapped, then he'd have plenty of witnesses. If he embarrassed himself, then he'd have to jump out the window and hope the shards took care of him.

He looked out the window and caught a glimpse of Augie standing at the crosswalk. He took a deep breath and went back to the table. He reached into his pocket and surreptitiously spritzed his chair with his body spray before taking his seat. He busied himself with the menu and hoped he wasn't making the biggest mistake of his life. He knew he was being stupid and taking a risk, but he'd taken as many precautions as he could. Or as many as he had thought of.

"Morning," Augie said as took his seat. He glanced around the café, eyes flitting between the other patrons and lingering on the couple now admiring the artwork.

Jack's chest loosened a bit. He'd been right to wander around. Everything was going to work out. "I was thinking of getting The Drunken Sailor. It's lobster soaked in vodka."

"Sounds good, I'll have one, too."

He'd been expecting Augie to be too distracted to catch the fake menu item, but the dismissive tone stabbed at Jack deeper than he'd been prepared for, reminding him that the only reason anyone was interested in him was to use him. Be it for his blood or as a tool, he wasn't good enough for anything else. The thought was far more invasive than he'd been prepared for, and he pulled out his phone. He breathed out slowly as he made a note.

He was worth more than just his blood. He had enough sporadic work to survive on his own. Even Kieran seemed like he was interested in more than what had initially attracted him to Jack. And Augie…

Jack glanced up to find Augie frowning at the barista behind the pastry case. He tucked his phone away, the feelings of worthlessness mixing with anger. "So. You seem kinda distracted," he bit out sharply and a little louder than he'd meant. "More than usual."

"Sorry," Angie replied with an apologetic laugh. "Just got something on my mind."

Jack rested his arms on the table and leaned forward. "You sure it's not just something up your nose?" he asked, riding the high of righteous anger.

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Augie's eyes widened, and he quickly faced Jack. "Y-you…" A wide smile slowly formed. "Why, darlin', ain't you just the sw—"

"Don't you fucking dare call me sweet," Jack hissed, glaring at the hungry smile. "You don't get to call me that. We're through. I'm not some tool to make Kieran jealous."

"Well, yes, he and I used to see each other," Augie admitted with the air of a victim, "but why would I be using you to make him jealous?"

"Because we're both hung up on the same guy, but at least I'm trying to make an honest effort to move on," Jack said as he leaned back. His so-called effort to move on hadn't gone very far.

Augie looked Jack up and down in confusion.

The creeping feeling of being lucky to have any sort of attention was coming back. He forced it down, repeating to himself that Kieran was willing to stick around even without the offer of blood.

"You and…"

"Yeah!" Jack snapped. He stared at the table, wishing the intense burning of his cheeks and ears would stop.

Augie went from perplexed to eager. "I hear polyamorous relationships are all the rage. We could work something out."

Jack looked up in disgust. "What? Oh, my god. Fuck you. I'm not some fucking joint you can just pass back and forth!"

"But he has had a taste, hasn't he? You're the one he's getting over. What did he do to turn you away?"

"I never—" Jack eyed the waiter as he passed before leaning in and dropping his voice. "I don't donate blood. Not to stuck up assholes, and not to you. Got it?"

Augie chewed at his lip as he stared at the brick wall. He glanced at Jack and smiled as he caught Jack's eye. Leaning over the table, he spoke soft and low. "Now, darlin', maybe we should move on and talk about something else. This conversation isn't going anywhere, and it certainly isn't worth remembering."

Jack nodded along. There was no point in talking in circles with some loser hung up on his ex. He should know, he was in the same boat with no idea of what to do and no one to really go to for advice. He wished his mom was still around. She would know what to do. Some piece of advice for her little jackrabbit.

Augie should talk to Benoit. She was kind of like a mom to him. If Jack was remembering everything right.

"Benoit's like your mom, right?"

There was a sharp sting of panic. He shouldn't be panicked. No rapid heartbeat. No sense of impending doom. He was happily detached from reality.

"You know Colette Benoit?" Augie asked, his voice cracking.

"She likes me," Jack replied. "She gave me advice about Kieran. She even came with him to get me." He paused and frowned. He was up to four vampires. Were Benoit's maid and butler vampires, too? She had implied as much. That got him up to six. "I think I know too many vampires."

"Come now, darlin'. Let's forget what we were talking about and get back to our lunch," Augie said. His eyes darted around the café. "Colette does not need to hear about this. We'll continue our lovely date and go from there."

Jack took in the frantic look in Augie's eyes. He'd rather not forget what they were talking about. The little café was supposed to be an easy location for a breakup. He'd done well and told Augie to take a hike. He didn't want to lose that progress. And why did Augie want him to forget? Forget what? That Augie was just a pushy loser vampire? That he was using Jack to get back at Kieran? That the renewed interest was only due to Jack's catnip blood?

Icy realization filled his stomach as his vision sharpened. His breaths became shallow, and he discreetly brought up his left hand and bit down on his knuckle. He couldn't freak out. Not here. Not now.

image [https://i.imgur.com/eZY0YUq.png]