It took all of his willpower to not hold onto her longer than the short embrace, wanting ever so much to hold on to her more.  At least he used the hug as an excuse to slip the little piece of paper into her pocket, he was hoping it'd feel like nothing more than a light brushing, an accidental slip of the hands.  She'd find the paper later, or she wouldn't.  Maybe she'd run it through the wash and forget he existed at all.  The idea worried him a little, he found himself to be charismatic and funny, and he wasn't used to rejection overly much.  Certainly he'd had his fair share when he was younger, turned down for dances, drinks and dates, but it had been a long time since he'd misjudged interest.

He realized they both had some walls up, leaving friendship as the only course for their interactions to take.  Honestly, Kevin liked it that way.  It had been a long time since he'd had a civilian friend, someone who wasn't in the same business he was.  There'd be no sense to talk shop, ever.  Amanda was sweet and innocent and perfect as far as Kevin was concerned, no need to entangle her in a dark world she knew nothing of.

"While we're waiting," He looked at her genuinely interested in what she had to say, "you've mentioned a shop, what kind is it again?"  He thought he'd heard art, but he didn't know if it was selling paintings or supplies.

It was a good thing they both had walls up, she could just picture Jack's expression if she hooked up with someone while she was drunk and it ended up being a regular thing. She'd never live it down, and to top it off, neither would Kevin most likely as he'd learn all about their dirty little secrets and the supernatural world. She didn't want to drag him into the messy lives of the Bitter Springs werewolves and kin, so it was just so much simpler to find a way to be friends. That way she wasn't obligated to tell him everything about the pack and all.

At the question about her shop, Amanda lit up and chuckled slightly. "I sell art supplies for the most part, though I have quite a few books on various techniques and stuff as well." There was no need to mention that if one knew exactly what to look for, she sold supplies for witches too. Kevin didn't need to know about that side of her business as it was mainly for the supernatural anyway and the few humans that believed they could at the very least make potions and stuff that worked.

"I do quite often end up ordering stuff for customers though, anything from paints to fabrics, so it's all about how you look at it." Needless to say she didn't have to look far for fabrics, she just bought fabrics from Dahlia whenever she needed some and told her customers to check out the masquerade store if they needed custom made clothes. It was the least she could do after Dahlia had helped her out.

"Believe it or not, I used to work here until I got my act together and opened the shop," she said.

Kevin found himself pleasant surprised as she spoke about her work.  It sounded like she really did have things put together nicely.  He didn't really have any talent that involved art though, so he'd have to be extra clever in why he was showing up, if he chose to that.  He wasn't a stalker, or anything..

"Oh, I don't know.  It's not so terrible working here."  He kind of winced internally, knowing full well that this was not the sort of job he wanted to do for the rest of his life.  His real job had more excitement and potential than he could ever dream about, but no one outside of his group could ever know.  Even if she somehow knew about the supernatural world, he'd more likely than not have to hurt her or someone she loved.  People tried to have 'real' relationships outside of the office, it just rarely worked.  Secrets, lies and little plausible explanation for terribly long hours and far away business trips.

"Better than no job.  If I find something better, I'll go for it, but for now, I don't mind just washing tables."  This assignment was taking longer than Kevin liked, his leads few and far between.  He needed hard evidence on the strange man he'd met that morning, he needed to know for certain just what he was fighting.  Werewolf, vampire, Kevin didn't care what, he just needed to know for sure.  Then he could take the thing out and be done with it.

She couldn't exactly explain that the only artsy thing she knew how to do was to make jewelry. If he had the slightest clue about the supernatural or even the slightest suspicion about her, it would be easy to put two and two together once he saw what she liked to make. She'd turned into quite the artist as far as daylight jewelry and other enchanted pieces of jewelry went, and no one knew other than a trusted few.

"It's not the best job in the world, working at the grill, but the people are nice and the pay decent," she said, making sure he knew she wouldn't ever judge him for working at the grill. It almost seemed like a rite of passage for a lot of the newcomers in town. People were always coming and going at the grill, even the students in town seemed to get a job there from time to time.

Just as she was about to say something else, it was their turn to sing and Amanda couldn't help but giggle slightly. "Trust me?" she said as she pulled him after her to the stage. During the intro, she was careful to use the time wisely and silently cast the same spell as before. With a smile at her partner in crime, she started singing when the it was time. "Picture perfect memories, scattered all around the floor. Reaching for the phone 'cause I can't fight it any more.."


---
I hope this works :/

At this point, Kevin would trust her with his own life, how could this vibrant, gorgeous woman do anything to lead him astray?  She was the nicest person he'd met in the whole town, and didn't treat him like he was missing something important.  She seemed so straight forward and honest it almost broke his heart to know nothing could come of the growing infatuation.  He wanted so much to give into his desires and take her home that evening, but what could come of it?  The woman deserved more than one night and a false promise of a phone call.  A real, honest relationship, that's what she deserved, and he couldn't give that to her.

His voice intertwined with hers during the chorus and he was surprised by his own voice.  It sounded better than he'd expected, but he was drunk so what did he know?  "Another shot of whiskey, can't stop looking at the door.  Wishing you'd come sweeping in the way you did before.."  His passion shown through and he could feel the words, looking at the beautiful woman on stage with him.  He felt them in his core, feeling the words and knowing most of them were honest and fit their situation.  The words echoed throughout him, the chorus sticking in his mind and emblazoning his current emotions.

The song was ending too soon, and Kevin could feel his disappointment, almost as if an invisible fog settled on him. Many of the patrons had already begun leaving before they came up to sing, some pairing up, others departing sullen and alone.  He wanted this memory to last, but nothing good ever does.  Moments are fleeting, but Kevin didn't like the brief spark this one seemed to be.

At the end of the song the remaining patrons hooted and hollered, a round of applause for the duet that hadn't been one of the overplayed songs.  Smiling broadly he quickly wrapped an arm around her and drew her into a hug. The moment overcame him and he felt himself leaning in to kiss her but his willpower came back at the last moment as he instead dove for her cheek.

Amanda didn't want Kevin to fail anymore now than she had earlier, so naturally she was helping him again this time. He didn't sound half bad on his own, but he sounded even better with her help. Nothing had prepared her for how she'd be drawn to this stranger, but they both had their reasons for wanting it to stay away from bad behavior. She didn't know what Kevin's reasons were, but Amanda couldn't get involved with someone who probably wouldn't understand her if they learned the truth and they had to accept Kailah.

All too soon their song was over and people were beginning to leave. It had been last call and it was time for the two of them to call it a night as well. Amanda had actually enjoyed herself that evening, far more than she had expected and she didn't want to go home just yet. Why couldn't they just stay out all night? Be irresponsible and fall asleep in the park or something? Nothing needed to happen, she just didn't want the night to end any time soon.

The redhead hugged Kevin back and didn't want to let go, even after the last moment change of mind to kiss her cheek instead of actually kissing her. It earned him a grin though before she released Kevin and dug into her pockets. Pulling out a small paper card, she grinned at him. "So you'll know where to get your art supplies," she said coyly and handed the business card to Kevin. That way she might get to see him again as she'd like that, even if friends was all they could be.

"I'll see you around," she said and took off, she had to be up early after all. She might not be allowed to watch her daughter by herself yet, but she enjoyed the brief moments she got to see her and did anything she could to have more of those moments.