Shifter Boyfriend: Ilya (special preview)

Ilya stood out for his mop of bright orange hair, as well as his slightly pointed ears. He was handsome as well and quite popular back in college, but due to being partnered with you, he sort of took you as a thorn in his side. It took a long time for the two of you to mesh, but eventually, you became close. 

“Your dad said that Rothpierre’s is going out of business,” Ilya says suddenly.

“Going out of business or is Rothpierre retiring?” You lick salt and better from your fingertips then ball up the empty paper wrapping. 

Ilya’s thick brow pinches together, and the way his eyes twitch, he looks like a cat whose seen a string. “I’m not sure.” He sips his coffee, but frowns when he finds it too hot. He adds more cream to the already milky cup. “He just said that it’s closing, and it’s first come first serve on those who want the inventory.”

You bite the inside of your cheek. “So, are you and dad going?”

“Actually-”

“I knew it!” You threw your hands up into the air. “This wasn’t a kindly gesture, this was a bribe!” You thrust the shorlatka in his face. “You used your babushka’s recipes for bribery! How dare you?”

“Your dad said-”

“I know my father.” You take a bite of the apple treat and glare at him while you chew. “What was it this time? Acid reflux? His back?”

“He said it’s because it’s going to be a full moon this weekend and he knows how you hate the ‘moonie’ crowd.”

You glare even harder. “How dare you both be nice to me?”

Ilya arches his brow at you, and his golden eyes sparkle in the morning light. “Which would you rather do? Travel to an old antique store in the boonies with me, or deal with another moonlight madness sale with your parents?”

Your shoulders slouch. “You know which one.”

“We leave tomorrow morning then.” Ilya’s smile is bright. “Your dad said we could take the delivery van.”

“Oh lord, I hate that thing,” I grouse. 

“Well it’s all we’ve got to carry what we want to get. Unless you want to fork over the money for one of those giant u-haul things.” He sips his coffee with a more pleased expression.

You love his smile, in fact, there’s a lot you love about Ilya. Held at gunpoint, you might even confess to being in love with Ilya. But look at him! Look at you. You knew someone like you could never catch Ilya’s eye. He was too handsome, too charming, he could have his pick of anyone he wanted. He was popular in college, he was popular in the shop. You were happy to be his friend and have him as your familiar, but that was it. You wouldn’t ruin that with feelings and their like.

You look away from his smile. “How early in the morning?” 

“I’d say around five in the-”

“Ilya,” you whine to interrupt him.

Ilya smirks. “I’ll come wake you up, and the front seat of the van is big enough for you to sleep on while I drive.”

You grumble under your breath. “That seat smells like ass.”

“A lot of them have been on it.” He laughs at his own joke. “It’ll be fun. We haven’t done anything just the two of us since we moved after college.”