Page 159 of Just One Little Bargain

“No. I don’t want to take her anywhere. I want to give her one night where she doesn’t have to make a single decision. She can sit still, and I’ll take care of everything.”

“Oh. That’s good, Milo. I’d help you shop, but a hiker who came through Birch Hollow contacted me. He won’t say what happened over the phone, so I’m meeting him. Apparently, whatever he saw rattled him.”

“That sounds like a terrible idea.”

“I’ll be fine. Maddie and Evie have my location.” A zipper rasps over the line, followed by the clatter of something hard being dropped into a bag. “Get a pen. I’ve got a list of what you need, and it’s not short.”

The top drawer sticks before giving way beneath a hard pull, revealing a graveyard of takeout menus and dead highlighters. I’m halfway to crouching down to check the floor when Marmalade lands on the counter with a soft thud. There’s a smear of dirt across one front paw, and he lifts it, tongue rasping over the fur.

Once, I would’ve dismissed his stare as ordinary feline contempt. I know better now. He speaks when he has a reason, interferes when it suits him, and leaves me to assemble the rest from whatever scraps he chooses to provide.

“I don’t trust you,” I tell him quietly, hand cupped over the mouthpiece.

He blinks, slow and insolent, and offers nothing back.

“Pen situation?” Daisy demands. “Milo, I only have a few minutes.”

“Ongoing.” I’m still refusing to blink first. Marmalade leans and swipes one paw sideways beneath the stack of guest registration cards near the computer. A ballpoint pen shoots out across the desk and rolls to a stop against my knuckles.

I stare at it.

He resumes cleaning his paw as though helping me find a pen has exhausted his interest in my problems.

“Thank you,” I mutter. Then I tell Daisy to go ahead with her list.

She launches into it, and I frantically scribble down a highly specific inventory of Evie’s comfort needs. There are instructions for her favorite dinner, something called a sheet mask, and three separate things I apparently need to buy despite having no idea what any of them are. She talks too fast for questions, so I write everything down and accept that some of it will require independent research.

“Milo. I need you to understand something.”

I cap the pen. “What’s that?”

“Nobody she’s ever dated has wanted to take care of her. Not like this, at least.” For once, she sounds completely serious. “You’re good for her. So whatever this is between you, I hope it lasts.”

Evie should have a life that doesn’t come with clauses, bargains, or the risk of Hell coming after the demon beside her. Even if I found a way to stay, I’d still be a demon. She deserves someone who can build a future beside her without wondering what it might cost. A man who can share decades with her, watch the seasons change, grow older at the same pace.

I want that life so badly I almost resent the guy who might someday have it. I’m falling for her, and I never thought I’d get to feel anything like this. Somehow, I found it with four days left.

I can’t give her the future Daisy is imagining for us. But I can give her tonight.

“I’ve got everything written down.” I swallow past the tightness in my throat.

“Perfect. Then I should probably—”

“Wait! How do I keep Evie busy today without ruining the surprise?”

“Oh, I’ll text Maddie. Between the two of us, we can manufacture a highly believable crisis. Don’t worry about it, we’re professionals.” A delighted cackle bursts through. “Good luck, Milo. Bye.”

The line clicks dead.

I set the receiver back on its cradle. Marmalade yawns, bored with my emotional crisis, and drops off the counter to go judge someone else.

Footsteps sound in the hallway. I shove the notepad into my back pocket as Evie walks in. She stops when she spots me behind the desk.

“What are you doing?”

Lying to her isn’t an option, but neither is telling her the truth.

“I need to borrow your car.”