"etsy? fab, we love a sustainable queen supporting independent artisans," dante cooed, the words rolling off his tongue with a honeyed ease, a genuine softness creeping into his smile. he was watching her close, tracking the exact moment the tension left her frame like air escaping a balloon. it was a fascinating thing, really, the visible relief that washed over her features. he felt as if he could read her like a beautifully bound, deckle edged book; there was the slight, telltale drop in her shoulders, the sudden, breathless way his praise seemed to validate her entire existence for the afternoon. it was delicious, truly. he thrived on these little shifts in atmosphere. "well, whoever knitted it deserves a bonus, because it is utterly darling on you."
when she finally introduced herself, dante gave a slow little nod, committing the syllables to memory with the meticulous care of a high end concierge handling a prized regular. odette. it tasted like old velvet, didn't it? it sounded like a tragic, beautiful heroine in a classic nineteenth century novel, which suited her timid, almost fragile energy perfectly. he let out a rich, rumbling laugh when she mentioned her desire to avoid the wilder side of things, his eyes crinkling deeply at the corners as he tilted his head. "the debauchery comment was mostly just me projecting my own weekend plans," he confessed, the tone intimate, like a secret shared between co-conspirators. "don't you worry your pretty little head, though. pinehaven's version of getting out of control usually just involves an extra shot of espresso in a lavender latte, or perhaps someone playing an acoustic guitar a little too loudly after dark on a porch somewhere. you are perfectly safe from any scandalous riots here, i promise."
he shifted his weight then, leaning his spine back against the cool, rough brick of the wall and crossing his ankles, deliberately maintaining his physical position as her personal buffer against the drifting, chaotic sea of festival goers. when she admitted her aversion to the masses, his gaze turned incredibly gentle. "there is absolutely no shame in being a wallflower, odette. in fact, if you ask me, the best people usually are," he purred, raising his travel mug just an inch or two in a miniature, private toast to her quiet determination. "you showed up, you’re representing, and you look fabulous doing it. that’s a total victory in my book."
the question of his own social calendar, however, had dante’s expression turning delightfully wicked in an instant, a sparkle entering his eyes. "me? oh, i am a man of the people, a creature of the crowd. if there is a gathering, a gala, or a semi legal urban exploration trek happening within this zip code, my boots have probably been there and left a scuff mark. it’s a full time job, really, keeping up with the pulse of things." he winked, taking a theatrical sip from his mug before leaning in just enough to nudge her shoulder playfully with his own. "tell me, since you prefer the tame and peaceful, what are you going to be up to later?"
