“Believe me. I can see that.”
With a wink, I reply, “A little heartbreak and time away will do that to a girl.”
Sadness momentarily enters his eyes. He shakes it off, and herds me toward the couch. “Sit, dove.”
I sink onto the soft yellow cushion and watch as he carefully arranges the boxes beside me. “Are you thirsty?”
“No, I’m fine, thank you.” I can’t help but marvel at the way such a powerful being can cater to me. It’s a temptation in itself, to hold power over him.
“Darling, you need to unwind, and we both know everything is better with alcohol. Relax, I’ll make you a mint julep.”
“Cristobal, Master vampire, and mixologist extraordinaire.”
He winks at me saucily. “Only for you.”
I admire his firm ass as he walks to my kitchen. I never saw a man wear a pair of slacks so well. I toe off my shoes and snuggle back into the corner of my couch. The positive energy in the house is at work, loosening tense muscles, and re-energizing me when he returns with a drink. I take a sip of the southern classic and moan.
“So good.”
He gives me a boyish grin that makes me think of the young boy he must’ve been at one point. Mischievous with dark eyes full of life and wild hair. Few get to see this side of him. It’s rare enough for me to feel honored, regardless of the fact that we’re on the outs. “How worried should I be about what you have to tell me today?”
“I thought we weren’t talking about it.”
“You know I hate surprises.”
“I do, which is why I’ll break the rules and put you at ease. It’s minor. A tedious bit of business that won’t require much effort. Now, no more.”
I’ve missed his brand of over the top. I could never deny him much. When the drink is half empty, I place it on the cocktail table. “I’m ready.”
The smile he delivers is blinding white and takes the centuries from his face. I’m standing on quicksand. Every moment I spend in his presence reminds me of the good times we had. When you block out everything and the walls come down, you have to relive it all. I’m not sure where that’ll leave me when it’s all said and done.
When I open the box and find two small black pillows with the outline of cats ears and the word meow in the center, I know I’m screwed.
“Did you choose this on your own?” I ask shakily. I’ve been collecting them and black cats so long I can’t pinpoint when the obsession began. It’s left every place I’ve called home looking Halloween ready. It touches me that he’s remembered things in such detail.
“Even after all this time, I know you, my heart. I did not give my heart lightly or invoke the bond without preparing to honor it.”
“Silver-tongued devil. I’ve changed. I’m not the same girl.”
“People are always changing. It’s nothing we can’t learn and adapt to. Every girl turns into a woman over time. You needed to grow and mature. Perhaps it wasn’t a transformation you could do with me. All I care about is that you’re back.” He hands me another box like an olive branch. I accept it. We find our footing among the gray paper and bows. From the black cat cookie jar to the pumpkin kitchen set, from wall borders to tea towels and beyond were carefully chosen and just right for my taste.
“Last two.”
I carefully unwrap the rectangular square and reveal a white box I know so well.
“What are you up to?”
“Open it.”
The black sequined cocktail dress has a sheer swath of material that reminds me of an arrow pointed upward.
“It’s beautiful, but when would I wear—”
“We had an unexpected visitors arrive tonight.” He sighs. Weariness bleeds through, disrupting the arrogant expression he wears like a shield. “ Which means w have to entertain.”“Who?”
“The New Orleans Lord, Blazh and his witch.” His shoulder slump.
“There’s no way that’s a coincidence,” I whisper quietly. Separated by only a few stairs, we’re put at eyelevel. He’s letting me see the man behind the glamour. Tired, hopeful, and unsure, he’s impossible to resist. This is the echo of the man I feel in love with. He’s still there, hidden behind vibrato, responsibility, and smokescreens. “No. They’re here to test us, poke at the shiny new toy, see how it works, and if it can be broken.”