A seccond unknown taste

Tiffany set down the two new cocktails with a practiced smile. “Enjoy those,” she chirped, her eyes lingering on Katie for just a beat too long before moving on to the next table.

"Cheers," I said, raising my glass in another toast.

Katie clinked hers against mine and took a large gulp of her drink. "Mmm," she sighed contentedly, leaning back with a satisfied hum. “That hits the spot.”

Just then, a shadow fell across our table. The plaid-shirted jock from earlier was making his way over, looking like he'd just stepped out of a high school yearbook photo – all broad shoulders and tousled blonde hair. He grinned at Katie with what he probably thought was disarming charm.

"Hey there," he said, leaning against the edge of our booth as if it were an extension of his own personal territory. "You guys look like you're having fun." His eyes flicked over to me briefly before settling back on Katie. “Mind if I join in?”

Katie gave him a playful once-over, her lips curving into that knowing smile she always wore when sizing someone up. “Depends,” she said, tilting her head and raising an eyebrow at him. "What's your pick-up line?"

He puffed out his chest slightly, clearly pleased with the attention. "Well," he began, scratching a hand through his hair, "you look like you could use a drink...and maybe someone to share it with." He paused for dramatic effect, then added in a voice that was supposed to be smooth but came out more like gravel rolling down a hill, “I’m Brad.”

The opportunity presented itself – and I wasn't about to let it pass. While Katie was distracted by the college boy’s attempt at wooing her, I discreetly snagged my finger on the jagged edge of one of the barstools nearby. A thin line of blood welled up almost instantly. I watched as Brad launched into a story about his winning touchdown in last week's game (apparently involving an impressive display of athleticism), dipping my fingertip into Katie’s drink and swirling my crimson blood around until it was evenly distributed.

It wasn't subtle this time – I must have added a little too much blood, because her sunrise had definitely taken on a decidedly more vampiric crimson hue. A deep shade of burgundy now swirled within the glass.

I quickly switched to my own drink and repeated the process, adding just enough of my own blood to match Katie’s cocktail perfectly.

“So,” Brad was saying as I lowered my hand back into the booth, “you guys play any sports?” He looked at me expectantly, waiting for an answer.

Katie laughed – a light, tinkling sound that seemed to echo through the entire bar. "Oh, you know," she said with mock seriousness, her eyes twinkling mischievously as they met Brad's earnest gaze. “We’re more of the ‘spectator sports’ type.”

Brad blinked at her for a moment, clearly thrown by her response. He opened his mouth to say something else, but Katie cut him off with another laugh.

“Anyway,” she said, raising her glass in a mock toast. "Thanks for stopping by, Brad. But we're actually kind of busy."

She took a long sip from her drink – the crimson liquid catching the light as it flowed down her throat. Brad looked at her expectantly for another moment before finally giving up and shuffling back towards his pool table buddies with a slightly deflated air about him.

Katie watched him go, then turned to me with a playful grin. "So," she said, raising an eyebrow at my drink. “Matching cocktails? That’s cute.”

“Just trying to keep things interesting,” I replied smoothly, taking a sip of my own blood-tinged sunrise.

She laughed again and took another long gulp from her glass. Her cheeks were flushed now – not just from the tequila but something else too. Something that had me watching her with an intensity that bordered on obsession.

"This is seriously good," she murmured, leaning back in the booth with a contented sigh. “Did the bar switch tequila vendors?”

I shrugged nonchalantly, trying to appear casual even though my heart was pounding like a drum solo. “Maybe I just know how to pick a good bar.”

She took another sip and her eyes widened slightly – then she laughed again, this time with a hint of something else in her voice. Something that sounded suspiciously like…excitement?

“You’re such a weirdo,” she said, but there was no real bite to it. Just amusement, and maybe just a touch of intrigue.

I smiled back at her – the kind of smile I knew could only be described as predatory. "Maybe," I agreed softly. "But you seem to like me anyway."

The rest of the night blurred into a haze of laughter, shared stories, and stolen glances across our matching crimson cocktails. Each sip seemed to deepen the flush on Katie’s cheeks, and her eyes held a spark that was both captivating and unsettling – as if she were just beginning to realize something about herself, something about me…something delicious and dangerous brewing beneath the surface of this ordinary night.