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Can you come by tonight?
Maybe some would play it cool, leave him hanging for an hour or so, but I wasn’t cool. Why would I wait? This was the male I was in love with, with every fiber of my being.
Still, I managed to find some self-control and instead of writing back and saying, OMG! Can you believe we freaking kissed last night? It was the best kiss I’ve ever had. I love you so much I think I might die.
I went with: Sure thing. What time?
Ren: I finish work at six. Any time after then
Again I reined it in and replied with a very cool: See you then
I scanned our messages, nearly vibrating with excitement and happiness. It was happening. It was actually happening between us.
I shoved my phone away and went back to my client. Somehow, I had to get through the rest of my appointments without self-combusting.
The day went way too slow, but at five fifteen I was blowing out my candles and packing everything away. I grabbed my bag, stuffing my demon book back in, locked up the small room I rented for work, and took the narrow stairs to the street. I waved to Beth in the shop below through the window of her flower shop and headed to my car.
My phone beeped as I climbed in, and I slid it from my back pocket so fast I almost dropped it. Not Ren this time. It was a number I didn’t recognize.
Have you thought anymore about dinner?
Xavier, it had to be. I wasn’t the kind of person to string someone along, not that I’d been in the position to string anyone along before, but still. There was only one person I wanted to have dinner with.
Sorry, Xavier, I’m kind of seeing someone. It’s new.
His reply came a minute later.
My loss. If I think of anything to help you with your missing souls, I’ll be in touch.
Me: Thank you.
Brushing my hands over my hips and smoothing out the fabric of my dress, I tried to steady my nerves when I headed for Ren’s place. The sun had set, and I could see lights shining from inside. Taking a steadying breath and gripping the bottle of wine I’d swiped from the cupboard, I walked up to the door and knocked.
I could see his shadow moving behind the door’s frosted glass. He stilled for a moment, hovering there. My smile slipped a little when he didn’t instantly open up. I stared at his silhouette, and he was obviously staring at mine. Was he going to leave me standing out here? Cold dread washed through my veins, and I gripped my bottle of wine tighter.
Please. Please open it. Please let me in.
He moved suddenly, and the door swung open.
His gaze sliced down my front, hit the wine in my hand, then came back up. His gaze stayed on mine a moment, then he looked away and opened the door wider. “Come in, Jaz.”
The rest of the good feelings that I’d been floating on all day splintered at his tone, at the look on his face. Something was wrong. No. You’re imagining it. Stay positive. Everything’s fine. That kiss meant something to him as well, it did.
We walked to the couch, and he motioned for me to sit. “We should talk.”
No. A voice in my head screamed. NO. Please no. I stupidly ignored that, too, not ready to believe what every cell in my body was telling me, not ready to let the energy rolling off Ren to penetrate.
“Have you had any trouble now that the sigils are all done? Felt any souls around you at all?” I asked, stalling, desperate to not have this conversation.
He shook his head. “Everything’s stopped, like you said it would. Thank you for that, Jaz, truly.” He shoved his fingers through his hair. “But that’s not why I asked you over.”
I held up the bottle of wine. “Would you like a glass?” I stood and headed for the small kitchen. Ren watched me as I took down two glasses, my hands shaking. I opened his kitchen drawers, searching for a corkscrew, but there wasn’t one.
Ren strode over and slipped the bottle from my hands, setting it aside. “Jasmine, we need to talk—”
I spun on him. “No, we don’t.”
A look crossed his face, telling me he’d rather be anywhere but here.
