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This is where part of today’s entry in Mattie’s journal comes in. “I really am sorry. But thinking sex work is okay doesn’t mean I would ever think cheating is. In fact, I recently discovered a new story about Mattie that you might like. I mean, it’s still sordid and full of innuendo, and I am never going to change that about how I lead the midnight tours. Or deny that I make a pretty hot boy in a dress. And a crop-top and thigh-high boots apparently.”
She almost smiles. “As I have said, repeatedly, your sexuality and identity have nothing to do with why I targeted Madame Mattie’s. Other than how you make a better blond that I do. That hair is natural, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.” I shrug. “You can still hate me a little if you want. I still kind of hate you. But I don’t want to. Honestly, it is exhausting hating anyone. Come to the tour again. If not tonight, then tomorrow. I think I can work this new story I want you to hear into the show. And if you don’t like it, I will let you keep your fliers on our windows for a week. Curves fliers, not the ones calling us evil.”
This is the part where I really need the gamble to pay off. It banks on Mrs. Sherman being decent deep down. Not everyone is, but I am one of those really foolish people who likes to believe everyone can be if given the chance.
Mrs. Sherman taps her long, manicured nails on her desk.
“Deal,” she says.
If I was feeling good during my walk from Fluid Fashion back to Madame Mattie’s, I feel ten times better strutting home from Curves.
Until I see Odai and am reminded that I haven’t solved everything yet.
I must have missed when Mr. B transitioned from the ten o’clock tour to the eleven, because there are a few people from the previous tour still mulling about, but no sign of Mr. B or the next crowd.
Odai is manning the checkout counter instead of Cas. No one would guess he is a secretly homicidal incubus simply by looking at him. He’s handsome, charming, professional. As I’m coming in through the back, I overhear him explaining some of the items under glass that I know I never briefed him on. Why would I need to? He was there. He knew the people who owned those items in the flesh. He is living, breathing history.
And dangerous.
He makes me feel happier than any boyfriend ever has.
And uneasier than any situation I’ve ever known.
I don’t want to lose him.
But I might have to no matter how hard I try to hold on.
Odai’s eyes meet mine as he’s still talking to the patron. He smiles—so sorrowfully—trapping me there between the office door and the storage room.
The drill Cas is using to build more shelves whirs with the volume of a turbine. Or at least it sounds that way when caught off guard by it. Seeing her in the storage room immediately makes me think of the last time she was in there using that drill.
Which is why it makes zero sense that I storm in behind her and shout over the noise, “Why the hell haven’t you proposed to SJ yet?”
“What?” She spins in place with the terrifying length of her drill pointed at me. Again.
“You heard me!” I stand my ground—with maybe a slight step backward. “She’d ask you if she wasn’t scared you’d backtrack like you did before moving in together. What are you waiting for? Do you know how lucky you are to have something that good, something stable, something real? Most people do not get that luxury, believe me, and you’re waiting for what? Put a ring on it already and lock that hot demigirl down!”
It has to be on purpose that Cas turns the drill off just as I yell that last part. She cocks an eyebrow at me, but thankfully lowers the drill. “Did SJ say something to you?”
“Only because I asked. I was going to apologize to you again for bringing the whole moving thing up the other day, which apparently led to a fight between you two, but you know, I’m not sorry. I’m not! Why wouldn’t SJ want to marry you? Live with you? Be with you? You’re great together. You know that. So, unless you want to lose her someday because you were too afraid to go all in, even if some things sometimes end, and you’d rather have one foot out the door to avoid getting hurt, maybe man up and do something about it. Woman up? Lesbian up?” I whisper.
Cas snorts.
“I just mean… not everyone gets it easy, and yeah, even when you do, sometimes things still end. Sometimes you can still lose what you have. So don’t lose it, okay?” I turn away before Cas can say anything, just a flounder with her mouth half-open like she had a comeback but realized it was bunk.
I’m kind of expecting a headlock and a noogie at some point for all that, as per pseudo-sibling law, but I’ll take it if it means Cas really thinks about what she has and what she wants. Call it an extra thank you for what SJ did for me today. So, it better work out!
I’m not sure my story can.
But as I meet up with Odai at the checkout counter, I still really, really want to try.
Odai
The last of the previous patrons heads out. The current ones are below and will be for some time. Whatever Jeffrey slipped into the storage room to say to Cas is apparently enough to give her pause, for the drilling does not continue right away, but she doesn’t leave the room either.
My compulsion to kill Mrs. Sherman has abated, which means Jeffrey somehow succeeded where I could not and neutralized her without violence. It is not that I always want to ensure wishes through violent means, but I eventually do, as the rest of my desires grow. Even my most villainous masters and mistresses soon knew I was too dangerous to keep free.
