The small pizza joint they ended up at was located on a busy street corner. Kieran hadn't been particularly impressed, but relented to Jack's insistence that there would be no risk of Augie showing up. As long as Augie hung around, Jack would have the perfect excuse to drag Kieran to his favorite cheap restaurants.

Once they settled in a back corner with a few slices of pizza and drinks, Kieran admitted that it was better than he'd been expecting. Jack did his best to not come off as obnoxiously smug, and he may have done well since he was fighting against the desperate urge to whip out his laptop and give himself a distraction from the late lunch crowd.

He was grateful that Kieran had yet to call him out on dragging his laptop everywhere. His shiny new laptop with no old memories attached to it except for the reasoning behind wanting no memories attached to it. He missed his hoodie.

Jack dug into his second slice, convincing himself that they were being ignored in their corner. He focused on his imaginary win against Kieran's finer tastes. He'd proven that he had good taste on a budget, and he was going to simmer in the feeling for as long as possible.

"No one has come to your rescue," said Kieran. "I would ask if your friends are no longer cross with me, but I know better."

"Well, you are kind of an asshole," Jack replied, keeping his voice quiet. He figured he was in the clear when Kieran had no further reaction besides an indifferent smile. "And it's kinda hard to explain my reason for breaking up without saying you're a…y'know."

"Mmm. Being a y'know is rather bothersome," Kieran said with an easy nod.

"I don't know how to explain it without sounding crazy," Jack said, gritting his teeth in frustration. He would love to talk to someone, anyone, about his issues surrounding vampires.The fact that he was seemingly wired to go after them was more than a little disturbing.

"Just tell them you found out I'm Irish," Kieran said into his drink.

Jack's short research stint into anti-Irish sentiment had been sidetracked by a binge of songs, leaving him currently lost and dwelling on Kieran's comment of getting him a history book. He still didn't get it. Celtic knots were pretty, every last flavor of accent he came across was soothing, and he thought sheep were cute. What was there not to like?

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

He would try his research again and hope for the best with not getting distracted.

"I think that's a perk. Well, a good thing. Not bad. I don't need you to read stuff in front of a fireplace." He covered his eyes with his hand. His attempt at a light compliment was being well received, but he could do without Kieran's grin growing wider as he carried on. "Okay, so I have this image in my head, and everyone kinda knows it. That's probably why they think I'm giving you another chance."

"Unfortunately, I don't have a fireplace." Kieran looked to the side in thought. "Not at the shop. I could look into what properties are available."

"No, I'm good," Jack replied, his voice tight in an effort to not jump at the proposal. Should he try his luck at getting a Victorian style greenhouse as well?

"So you aren't looking forward to a private reading?" Kieran's smile had an edge of knowing to it.

Jack laughed nervously, his eyes darting around. He would love a private reading. "You're doing this on purpose."

"I am. Do you want me to stop?"

Did he? On some level, Jack loved the attention. It was personal and just for him, but he still felt the need to run and hide. "Yes and no," he admitted as he scooted his chair closer to Kieran's.

"I'll leave it for now. You may have your pick of reading material when we get back."

The swift dip in Jack's stomach had him swallowing. It was one hell of a promise, and he was looking forward to it. Was this what normal people felt at the prospect of sex? "You're gonna spoil me. You know that, right?"

"Part of the plan to keep you around, my sweet."

It was an appreciated effort. He grabbed Kieran's wrist and tugged him close. Before he could put too much thought into it, he quickly kissed the corner of Kieran's mouth. There was a giggle from behind him, and he breathed in sharply, his grip on Kieran's wrist tightening.

Kieran wrapped his arm around Jack's shoulders and pulled him tightly to his side. "No one's laughing at us, my sweet," he said quietly against Jack's hair.

Jack swallowed and nodded shallowly. Kieran's words did little to ease the feeling that all eyes were on him. He wanted to go back to the shop and bury himself in Kieran's filing system. Static photos and too much paperwork on necklaces seemed like a better use of his time than blushing in a corner.

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