My hand slides against something hard, and I slowly open my eyes, wondering why I’m so warm and…calm. I never wake up calm—especially when there’s someone else sleeping with me, and Sage is way closer than I’m normally okay with. I can feel his hand pressed against my back, under my shirt, and our legs are tangled together—but I’m…calm.
Stifling a yawn, I let my eyes fall shut again before opening them and squinting at Sage, who’s still firmly asleep. He looks different when he’s sleeping—less refined. All of the grace is gone, leaving behind a guy that drools in his sleep and has somehow managed to turn his hair into a mess of tangles which covers most of my face. I can’t help but smile, and although it’s tempting to go back to sleep, I know I won’t be able to.
I carefully manoeuvre out of his hold and crawl out of the closet into the dim room. I glance back, half-expecting him to be staring back at me, but he hasn’t moved. Deep sleeper. Lucky.
The sky’s still dark—is it night-time? Can’t be. The sun’s probably not even up yet. I keep the lights off in the bathroom, wincing when I flush the toilet, because it’s way too loud for this early. Now that I’m alone, the constant thrum of anxiety is back. And the sound of the faucet, the tile beneath my foot is bringing back everything from last night.
Swallowing hard, I hurry out into the hallway, the memory of hands making my skin crawl. I should’ve fought back. Why didn’t I?
I roughly shake my head. Stupid to think about stuff like that. It’s over, it’s done, I’m fine. Just like always.
By the time I make it downstairs, I’ve pushed everything to back of my mind, which is helped by my distraction at the smell of coffee. I pause, one hand on the wall as I peer down the dark hallway. I cautiously head for the kitchen, listening for movement. Who would even be awake now? I don’t even think this counts as morning yet.
The kitchen is empty, but I can hear the faintest sound of voices. Maybe I should go back to bed, wait until Sage is awake before facing anyone else. I mean, if it’s Felix, okay, but with my luck…
I stare at the coffee pot for a long time, before finally sighing and going through the cupboards until I find a mug. A quarter of the mug is dedicated to coffee, while the rest is milk, and even as I remind myself that I (probably) won’t get in trouble for helping myself, I still feel guilty.
Taking a sip of the lukewarm coffee, I leave the kitchen and follow the voices. At the end of the dark hall, I see dim light beneath one of the doors. I hesitate. Should I…?
I am such a fucking coward.
The door pushes open with only the slightest creak, and I step into the living room before I can change my mind. If I’m interrupting a conversation, I’ll just leave.
It’s the TV, which is showing some kind of sports game. The light’s coming from the screen and a small lamp next to the couch where the room’s sole occupant is sitting. Judging by the hair, I’m gonna say Faolan.
Much better than Sei or Neve.
He peers over the couch at me as I slowly creep forward, my confidence waning. His expression doesn’t change, but his voice doesn’t hold any hostility when he says, “You’re up early. Is Sage still sleeping?”
Startled, I stare at him, which seems to prompt him to add, “You smell like him.”
Right. Were. Anyone else, and that would be the creepiest fucking sentence ever. So I just nod and sip at my coffee, feeling awkward. I can’t tell if he’s mad that Sage spent the night with me, and when I glance at him again, he’s looking down at something.
First step to building a relationship (I think): stop being such a coward. And so I walk forward, hardwood turning to thick rug beneath my feet, and make it to the couch. Faolan is typing on a thin laptop, and as soon as I stop, he pats the spot next to him without looking up. Wary as always, I slowly sit down next to him, my hands tight around my borrowed mug.
“Here.”
I jolt, coffee sloshing onto my hand, as the laptop is suddenly thrust in front of my face.
“It’s the registration for the GED programme.”
My head whips around hard enough to make my neck crack. “What?”
Faolan raises his eyebrows the slightest bit. “Sage told me you wanted to register. Was he wrong?”
Well, I hadn’t actually made a decision yet, but I’m more surprised that Faolan is just…going with it. Taking classes seems to make my position more…I dunno, permanent somehow.
“No, it’s fine,” I say, even though I wonder if I’ll regret agreeing to this later. “Just…forgot.” I finally put down my mug and wipe my hand dry on my jeans, before carefully accepting the laptop. Just as light as it looks. “I thought I’d have to go into the school to do this?”
“Sage doesn’t trust computers and prefers to do things face-to-face”
I look at the screen. Forms, it looks like—Faolan’s already filled in all the address info. “Why? This seems easier.”
I see Faolan shrug from the corner of my eye. “Empaths like physical contact.” He picks up the clicker and switches channels, another game appearing. I’ve never really seen the appeal of sports, outside of the players.
“So he’s an empath?” I comment, forcing myself to look away from the lean athletes running around on the TV. Instead, I focus on filling out my name and age, noticing that Faolan’s listed himself as my emergency contact. My stomach does a bit of a flip, but I ignore it. I get hung up on the stupidest things—it’s not like Faolan means anything by it.
“Yes,” he replies, and I glance at him, waiting for…I dunno, follow-up or something, but he just folds his hands on his stomach and watches the TV. Okay, then.
The sound of footsteps makes me look up from the laptop halfway through reading about proper classroom conduct (don’t be an asshole, basically), but after peering over the back of the couch, I quickly shrink down.
Sei.
Shit.
“Morning,” he says as he comes around the couch, trailing his fingers along Faolan’s shoulders with a tired smile. His hair’s tangled up into a loose bun, glasses pushed to the top of his head, and even though he’s wearing an old hoodie and plaid pyjama pants, I can’t help but want—
Fuck, how can I not be over this yet?
Faolan tilts his head back when Sei leans down for a quick kiss, his hand sliding against Faolan’s cheek. I quickly look away with a pang of…something and do my best to ignore them. My chest itches and my fingers tingle as I go back to the registration. Okay, attend class regularly, complete assignments…and classes start next week?
My nail picks at one of the keys as I chew on my lip. Can I really do that? I mean…a week. I haven’t done any school for, what, eight years?
“Almost done?”
Jerking in surprise, I pick up the laptop and shove it at Faolan. “Yeah, done.” My voice cracks, and I clear my throat, avoiding Faolan’s eyes. Instead, I meet Sei’s and stiffen.
Sei’s just watching me with a blank face, but his eyes are so damn cold, and if I don’t look away right now—
He turns his attention to the TV and sits on the other side of Faolan, and I slump against the back of the couch with a relieved gasp. My fingers push against my closed eyes until I see sparks. Too fucking early for this, seriously.
“Headache?”
Dropping my hands, I shake my head and force a smile when I look up at Faolan. “Nope, I’m fine.”
“What happened to your mouth?”
I frown. “My mouth…?”
“Yeah, remember getting punched in the face?” Sei drawls, stealing the clicker to start channel surfing. His feet are propped on the coffee table and one arm is lazily slung across Faolan’s shoulders, like nothing he’s bringing up actually matters. Maybe it doesn’t. Maybe this shit only matters to me, but why should it? Not like anything even happened. My face doesn’t even hurt anymore, although my lip feels puffy when I prod it.
I glance at the TV without seeing what Sei’s switched to. Nothing happened, but I still can’t forget what might have.
“Who did that?” The surprise in Faolan’s voice, so different from his usual calm tone, makes me look at him. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he almost looks worried.
My eyes flick to Sei, wondering (dreading) what he’ll say, because if Faolan doesn’t already know what happened, then I really don’t want anyone to tell him. But Sei continues flicking through channels, looking bored, so maybe…maybe he isn’t going to tell…
“We don’t keep secrets like that in this family,” he suddenly says without looking away from the TV, “so if you don’t tell him, I will.”
Nerves make me stiffen and press myself back into the couch with hunched shoulders. I rub my clammy palms against my jeans, mind racing. What can I say? Sei’s sitting right here, so I won’t get away with a lie, but I can’t tell the truth.
But now Sei’s watching me, and it’s getting so hard to avoid looking at him, but what can I say? I really don’t want Faolan to hate me, not after he’s helped me and been, well…decent to me. And when I think about it, really let myself think about it, what difference is there between what I was doing and prostitution? Aside from the agreement that I’d be leaving with money.
Sei sighs loudly. “Fine, I’ll do it.” His eyes flick to Faolan. “Kit was at the club with Sage last night and ran into a guy he’d robbed, who was pissed and tried to rape him.” He looks back at me. “Sound about right?”
Betrayed, I can only stare back at him, just shy of meeting his eyes. My stomach hurts—I can almost taste the vomit that wants to come out. Why does he have to say it like that?
“What?” I flinch at the anger in Faolan’s voice, trying to make myself smaller. I knew this would happen. “Where is he now?”
“Hell if I know.” Sei almost sounds annoyed, although I don’t know why. “Kit wouldn’t let us call the cops.” The glare he shoots me is enough to make me wince, even though I made the right choice. He probably just wishes I’d been arrested.
Faolan looks at me again, mouth thin. “What’s his name?”
I stare back at him. “What? Why does that matter?”
There’s a flash of something in his eyes, something that makes me hunch my shoulders and reluctantly spit out, “I don’t know.” Alpha—that’s what it is. Fucking pack leader bullshit that really should not affect me, because I’ve had enough practise dealing with his type.
“You don’t know?”
Anxiety is fraying my nerves and letting my temper peek out, even though I’m obviously at a disadvantage. “No, okay? Fucking doesn’t really require introductions.” I jump off the couch, wanting to get away from his questions. “Why does it even matter?” I take a step backward, and then another.
“Is this how you handle all of your problems?” Sei asks, raising an eyebrow at me over the top of the couch. “Running away?”
His tone has a mocking edge that makes me grit my teeth and come to a stop. Before I can stop myself, I hiss, “Fuck off.” I’m supposed to be playing the mild and obedient husband, but I just can’t deal with him anymore.
“What exactly are you hiding, Kit?” he presses, twisting around with narrowed eyes. “Why steal from one-night stands?”
“Because I needed to survive!”
Without looking away from me, Sei slides off the couch and comes around the back with the terrifying grace of a predator. My foot slides back, but I can’t make myself turn around. “Y’know, I was wondering about that. Most people get jobs to survive. So what about you? Why didn’t you get a job?”
I take a rattling breath, endless reasons racing through my head. “I couldn’t,” I choke out as I watch him walk toward me.
“Why not?”
My mouth opens and shuts before I manage to say, “Cuz I didn’t do high school.”
He sneers, flashing a fang. “Bullshit. Y’know what I think?” He steps closer, voice lowering and eyes nearly meeting mine. “I think you weren’t allowed to work.” His sneer deepens. “Because who wants to hire a junkie?”
I feel the pit of my stomach drop as every breath becomes a struggle. I swallow thickly. “What are you talking about?”
“You think I didn’t notice?” One of his long fingers hooks in the neck of my shirt, tugging it down. I flinch. “I know what bite marks look like, no matter how faded they are.” His voice drops to barely a murmur. “I bet you’ve got them other places, too.”
I shove him back with a sharp gasp, nearly tripping over my feet. “Don’t touch me!”
The smile he gives me is decidedly cold. “I thought you wanted me inside you.” When I only manage to gape at him, he asks, “Robbing rich, horny guys – bet you got enough money to go to a nice bloodhouse, huh?”
I keep shaking my head as he talks, trying to ignore what he’s saying. “You’re wrong,” I hiss, my voice cracking. “I’ve…I’ve n-never gone to a bloodhouse.” But fuck if I haven’t been tempted. “I haven’t.”
Faolan’s voice is sharp and sudden. “Sei, stop it.”
“Why?” Sei snaps back, whirling around to face Faolan as he quickly walks over. “The kid’s a blood junkie.”
“I am not!” I yell, louder than I usually let myself be. “Why the fuck would you even think that?!”
Sei barely glances over his shoulder at me, eyes slitted. “Only a junkie acts the way you did in my room.” Before I can say anything else, he looks back at Faolan. “It all adds up, and I don’t want to deal with that shit.”
“You don’t want to deal with it?!” Against all survival instincts, I stalk forward and grab Sei’s arm, wrenching him around. Anger slices through me. “Fuck. You.”
He moves faster than I can follow, but the words are barely out before I’m pinned to the wall. Sei looms over me, fingers digging into my biceps as he holds me there. My rage barely eclipses my fear, so although I’m trembling, I manage to snarl at him. Sei’s response is to lean in with bared teeth, everything about him screaming predator.
“You think you can lie to me?” he growls, face mere inches from mine. I can’t pull my eyes away from his mouth, each flash of fang making me shiver. I can already feel myself slipping. “I know what a junkie looks like, Kit.”
I swallow hard, nails digging into the wall, and shake my head with a shuddering breath. If…if he gets any closer…i-if he— “Stop,” I choke, eyes suddenly prickling, even though I know he won’t. No one ever does.
But he freezes, dark eyes fixed on my face—searching. I don’t know what he finds, but he suddenly steps back with a word I don’t understand, grip loosening on my arms. I stay still, afraid to set him off, but he keeps looking at me with an expression I can’t figure out. Should I run? Can I even get away?
One hand slips down and wraps around my wrist, and any hope of escape disappears as he pulls me away from the wall. “I think we need to talk,” he mutters, finally looking away, but I can’t feel any relief, because he’s dragging me toward the doorway.
“Wait!” But he’s not listening or stopping, so I whip my head around to look at Faolan, hoping he’ll do something. As I watch, he gives a quick nod and turns back to the laptop. My stomach clenches—he doesn’t care, after all.
***
Sei brings me to his room, and it’s only the knowledge that he can outrun me that keeps me from trying. When he shuts the door behind us, I feel like I’m going to throw up.
“You changed your mind about fucking me, after all?” I spit, trying to sound brave. The shaking in my voice ruins the effect.
He looks at me, before shaking his head with a snort. “Hell no—I only brought you here to talk.” He gestures toward the desk chair. “You can sit there.”
Instinct tells me not to believe him, that I’ve been told that before, but…I think he’s telling the truth. So I cross the room and glance at the chair, but climb onto the desk instead, letting my legs dangle. “So talk.” No tremble in my voice, after years of practise. He’s got the size advantage, but now I’ve got the height advantage. At least it’s something.
The briefest flicker of surprise crosses his face, but he just shrugs and takes the chair himself. He tosses his glasses onto the desk next to me, and then leans back with crossed arms and a frown. I stare back at him, waiting. Finally, he sighs and rubs his face.
“Okay, look: there’s no point lying to me about being a junkie. I know.” I open my mouth, but he glares hard enough to keep me from talking. “You still a junkie?”
I stare at him for a long time, lips pressed together. My nails dig into the desk. Finally, slowly, I shake my head. Sei exhales loudly and nods. “Fine. Wish you’d said that from the beginning.”
I scowl and look away, shoulders hunching. “Not exactly something I like to talk about.”
“So you thought lying was a better idea?”
“It’s in the past, so why the hell should I say anything at all?” I retort, wishing he would just fucking drop it.
The look Sei gives me is distinctly unimpressed. “Because it’s kind of important to tell the vampire you’re suddenly married to that you have an addiction?”
“Had,” I quickly correct, my voice low. Have I ever admitted this out loud? Probably not, and Sei is definitely the worst person I could be talking to about this.
Sei shrugs like it doesn’t matter. “Either way, I don’t want to be responsible for your relapse.”
I instantly bare my teeth with a hiss and snap, “I’m not going to fucking relapse.” I worked too fucking hard to slide right back into it, and as long as Sei keeps his fangs to himself, then everything will be just fine.
“Twice now I could’ve bitten you,” he points out, posture relaxed, but eyes hard. “And you would’ve let me.”
Although I want to argue that, I really can’t. If he hadn’t stopped himself…
And no matter how much I tried to fight it, I still would have liked it—that’s what scares me the most. I don’t want to like it. I guess, technically, I don’t, but…my body does. Even now, I can’t help but wonder what it would feel like to have his teeth in me.
My stomach turns again—I thought I was in control.
“Why did you stop?” I ask, looking down at my knees. “You could’ve done whatever you wanted.”
“Maybe because I’m not a rapist?” Sei says, voice thick with disgust. When I glance up, the tone is mirrored on his face. A bit comforting, I guess, but he could just be a really good actor. Wouldn’t be a surprise.
“Right.”
Sei crosses his arms with an annoyed twist to his lips. “Fine. Why should I believe you aren’t a junkie anymore?”
“Why should I believe you aren’t going to rape me?” I snap back.
I can see him stiffen, and his lip curls. “If I were going to, don’t you think I would’ve done it last time?”
I shrug, toes curling at the memory. “Could be waiting until I feel like I’m safe. Wouldn’t be the first time.” My mouth feels dry no matter how many times I swallow, so I give up.
It isn’t until I see the look on Sei’s face that I realise what I just admitted. Shit.
He leans forward, watching me. “Is that why you’re a junkie?”
“Was,” I correct automatically, before realising what he’s implying. My mouth thins. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“The way you were talking, I’m guessing you were forced into it.”
I can only stare at him, wondering how the hell he came to that conclusion. “I’m not telling you anything about my past.” Straightening my legs, I slide off the desk. “We done?”
Since he doesn’t answer in the two seconds I give him, I walk past him to the door. Surprisingly, he doesn’t stop me.
But as soon as I step outside, I realise I’ve fucked up.
I stand outside of Sei’s door, sudden nerves making me queasy. Sei now knows I was a junkie. And that’s really not good.
Why the hell can’t I keep a hold on my temper? How many times have I gotten in trouble for it? If I don’t do some serious damage control, I’ll be out on the street, and then it’ll just be a matter of time until I’m found.
I look over my shoulder at the door. I have to go back in and fix this. Before I can change my mind, I spin around and knock.
No answer.
Swallowing hard, I grab the doorknob and let myself in. Sei’s sprawled on the bed, tapping something out on his phone. As soon as I step inside, his eyes are fixed on me. He sits up, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed, and demands, “What do you want?”
I clear my throat and lean back against the closed door. “I’ve thought about it and…I decided I should tell you what happened…”
Sei stares at me for a long time, and then snorts. “Really.” He stands up and shuffles over, crossing his arms when he’s only a few feet away. I swallow hard, but do my best not to flinch.
“Yeah. I mean, if we’re married…I shouldn’t keep secrets.” I take a deep breath and look up. “I wasn’t lying when I said I’m not a junkie anymore. I haven’t done that for years.”
“But?”
I really don’t want to admit this, and it takes me a solid minute to work up the nerve, but finally, finally, I mutter, “You were right. About…why I started…”
Sei doesn’t reply for awhile, but then he steps back. “Wanna sit down?”
“Okay.”
I take the desk chair that Sei rolls over to the bed while he sits on the edge of the mattress. The chair’s surprisingly comfortable, and I curl myself into it easily. I glance up at him, then look down again.
“So.”
I nod, taking a deep breath. “Yeah.” Licking my lips, I rub my palms against my legs. “When I was in, um…middle school… My last year. That summer, I guess I…fell in with the wrong crowd?” I shrug awkwardly with a grimace. “It’s not really much of a story.”
“Is that why you didn’t go to high school?”
“Yeah, I guess…” Sighing, I run my hand back through my hair. “I mean, there’s not really much to say? I made the wrong friends. I started going to clubs and whatever with them, and then one night…” Trailing off, I shake my head. “They introduced me to some of their vampire friends, and things just spiralled from there.” My eyes squeeze shut—that’s an understatement. “A lot of it’s a blur. It was…it was really bad.”
“How did you stop?” Sei asked quietly.
“I just…had to. I mean, it was ruining my life. I never wanted to do any of it.” My voice cracks, and I clear my throat again. “As soon as I could get away, I did.” After a moment, I look up, almost meeting his eyes. “So, yeah…that’s pretty much it.”
Sei’s expression isn’t giving away anything. Does he believe me? If he doesn’t, I don’t really know how to convince him.
Suddenly, he says, “My best friend went through something similar.”
Surprised, I look up at him. He’s frowning, eyes fixed on the floor, but after a second, he meets my eyes. I nervously look away. I can’t think of anything to say, except a soft “oh”.
The silence that falls over the room is uncomfortable, and I shift in my seat, wondering what else to say.
“Thanks for telling me,” he finally says.
I nod, chewing my lip. “Do you…have to tell everyone?”
“Yeah.” My heart sinks. “But it’s fine. They’ll understand.”
I’m not so sure of that. “If you say so.” It’s supposed to come out lighthearted, but ends up grim. I don’t trust any of them—the closest I come to that is maybe Felix and Sage. But I know better than to be taken in so quickly.
Sei’s hand suddenly comes down on my shoulder, and I jump up, the chair rolling back. He stares at me, hand hovering in the air for a second before falling. Shame rises up to choke me, and I squeeze my eyes shut.
“S-sorry.” I open my eyes, looking everywhere but at him.
“Don’t worry,” he says, sounding way gentler than usual. He stands up, and I step back, but he doesn’t comment. “Wanna go back upstairs?”
I nod, relieved, and follow him out of the room.
***
The newspaper crinkles in my hand as I circle an ad looking for an assistant for…something. Not entirely sure what the job is, but it apparently doesn’t require any experience or a high school diploma, which is all I’m really looking for. So far, those kinds of ads have been scarce. This is why I don’t really use the newspaper when job hunting—it’s way easier to walk around and find the sketchy places that don’t care about your background. Those places don’t tend to use the classifieds.
Sighing, I review my prospects—they’re all pretty vague and likely to end in murder.
I hate job hunting.
I roll onto my side under the coffee table, resting my head on my bent arm. Maybe I’ll go out later and see if there’s anything. Too bad I live so far away from my old place now—it was in the perfect neighbourhood for my type of lifestyle.
Finished with the classifieds, I flip through the pages, idly scanning news stories. Usual petty crimes, feel good fluff, and city hall corruption. I start to close the paper—but I freeze when I reach the front page of the international section.
Standing a step behind the Great Leader, the man looks into the distance with a bored expression. Unlike the Great Leader, he’s—beautiful. Even in print, every feature is perfect. With a shaking finger, I trace the small silver horn that spirals from the centre of his forehead, a few shades darker than his eyes. His cold, cold eyes…
“Kit?” I gasp in surprise, dropping the newspaper, and nearly hit my head on the bottom of the coffee table. “What are you doing down there?”
Swearing under my breath, I peer out from under the table and blink up at Felix, who’s watching me with a raised eyebrow. He’s still wearing the same clothes from last night…so I guess he’s just getting back home now?
I clear my throat and crawl out, straightening my clothes as I stand. “Just reading the newspaper.” I nudge it with my bare foot, shrugging awkwardly. “Where have you been?”
Felix makes a face and rubs his forehead. “Work stuff. Took longer than I expected.” He reaches for my hand and gently tugs me forward, nothing demanding in the gesture. I smile and lean in for a kiss, nipping at his lips to turn the chaste peck into something deeper. Staying true to what I know of him, Felix presses closer and welcomes my tongue with a low groan. I squeeze his hips, wondering if I can get him out of his pants. Something about him is just…
I tilt my head, relaxing against him. Fuck, he feels good.
Felix eventually pulls back, face flushed and pupils blown. I can’t help but grin. “Man, you’re easy.”
“You’re a good kisser,” he replies, grinning back.
Winding my arms around his waist, I brush my lips against his ear. “I’m good at more than just that.” The words slip out from habit, I’ll admit it, but I’m being honest with him. Probably.
But rather than let me get him naked, he pulls back with a crooked smile and says, “Forgetting the agreement already?”
Staring at him, I scowl and step back. “Right.” That sting isn’t hurt—just annoyance. Am I supposed to just never have sex again? Cuz after getting fucked so frequently for so long, I can’t exactly just suddenly stop and be okay with it. And I know Felix is attracted to me, so…
I shake my head and bend down to pick up the paper, folding it to hide the front page of the international section. The classifieds slip from between the pages and flutter to the floor, and Felix snatches them up. He starts to hand them back to me, but he pauses, eyes flicking across the page.
“Job hunting?”
I shrug and take them from his hand. “I can’t just stay here and be useless. I’ve gotta have some purpose.”
Felix sighs, looking at me with a small frown. “You’re not useless.” He takes the paper back from me before I can stop him. After studying the listings for a moment, he says, “These look pretty sketchy.”
Crossing my arms, I reply, “‘S the kind of jobs I’ve always had.”
“Yeah, but you don’t need to go for them anymore. We’ll take care of you—”
“No.” I drop the folded newspaper on the coffee table, shaking my head. “I’m not some…some pet, okay?”
“Kit, I never said that,” Felix says, a flicker of annoyance ruining the gentle tone he was obviously attempting. “You’re allowed to rely on the people you’re married to.”
I can’t help but laugh at that. “Seriously? You’re all strangers, no matter what you keep telling yourself. And you’re the only one that actually seems to want me here. So, no, I can’t rely on people I married by accident.” Bitterness that I thought I’d gotten over tightens my jaw, and I turn away to leave the room. When did I get so bad at hiding my ugly side?
“Kit, wait.” A hand latches onto my arm, pulling me to a stop. “I didn’t mean to piss you off. I just don’t want you stressing about this.”
“Too late.”
I start to pull away, but he catches me with an arm around my shoulders. “Just stay here a sec. Look, if you really want a job, then how about at my office?”
I stop trying to slip away, peering at him over my shoulder. He looks sincere. “I don’t need pity work.”
He rolls his eyes with an exasperated sigh. “I need a receptionist, cuz the last one is now a junior detective. You’d be paid the same salary as anyone else with the job.”
I squint at him. “So…actual work?” The last thing I want is Felix to just humour me like some dumb kid.
“Well, yeah. Can you use a computer? Answer phones? File?”
Pondering the question, I slowly nod. “I only know really basic stuff on computers, though.”
“You don’t need to know much.”
“And what if I suck as a receptionist?”
The corner of Felix’s mouth lifts, his green eyes amused. “Then I fire you, same as anyone else.”
I think about it, leaning back against his chest. Receptionist would be a respectable job for once. And I’d be in a PI office. And if the marriage thing falls apart and I get kicked out, I’ll have some new skills. Maybe I’ll be able to get more office jobs and start making a decent living.
“Let me think about,” I finally say, although my mind’s pretty much made up. I like the feeling of independence that comes with not immediately agreeing. I’ve always had a rebellious streak.
Felix squeezes my shoulder before letting his arm fall. “Sure.” When I look at him again, he’s smiling brightly as usual. His moods shift faster than mine. “Well, I’m gonna go shower and sleep for a bit. Long night.” As if to emphasis the point, his mouth opens in a wide yawn, quickly stifled by his hand.
“Mkay.” I flick my fingers in a lazy wave and watch him shuffle away. And even if I’m sort of still annoyed with him for meddling, no one can blame me for staring at his ass as he leaves the room.