Page 32 of Claiming a Demon

Letting out a heavy breath, I took a step back. “I know. You’re right. I’ll do my best to just focus on the friend thing for now. I think you guys are probably right, and it’s a little unfair of me to ask for a relationship from him right now.”

She flashed me an apologetic look. “I know that’s not what you want to hear, but–”

Waving her away, I took a few steps back. “You two are my best friends. It’s not your job to tell me what I want to hear. I’ll keep you updated, okay? And I want a text tomorrow morning so I know you didn’t explode yourself experimenting while drunk.”

She rolled her eyes. “Shut up. I love you, Zach.”

“Love you too. Give Ingrid a hug for me.”

She made a face, which made me cackle. She really wasn’t the hug it out type. Which made the earlier affection special. If I wanted cuddles, I went to Ingrid. But if Selene hugged me, it was to show that she cared.

Turning on my heel, I headed back to my apartment. I knew my friends were right. I was too attached to something so new and I was asking too much of Mal to treat me special right now. He needed a distraction and a friend who wasn’t pessimistic about his dad’s outcome. I could do that for him. I just had to put my feelings in a little box. It was the only way I could protect myself.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

MALAKAI

Zach was avoiding me. I noticed it after poker night. When I woke up the next morning, still reeling from the confrontation with my friends, Zach was more withdrawn than normal. He was still smiling and his voice was upbeat, but he wasn’t as affectionate as before and he seemed eager to leave when he said he had to go into work. Since I had a shift too, I let it go, but it was almost a week later and I’d barely heard from him.

Our original plan had been to go see my family on the weekend so we could talk to them about my dad’s treatment. Zach promised he’d go with and help me explain what I was thinking, but we both got busy and I couldn't get time off approved until the following week. Apparently, that famous chef visiting put us in the spotlight, and we kept getting special requests for other famous people in the area to come eat there. I couldn’t even ask my boss to get Zach a reservation because we were running full speed from the minute we opened until well after closing.

Zach said he was busy too, trying to get more regular clients since he’d lost me and that old woman from the other day. I was still mad at myself for causing him so much trouble, but he always brushed it off when I brought it up.

My next day off was the first time I saw Zach all week. We had a few phone calls here and there, but we both got off work exhausted and it never lasted long. I was excited to see him and hold him again. I thought about what my friends said about not relying on Zach, but when I realized how much I missed him, I decided they were wrong. Trusting Zach wasn’t a bad thing, and accepting support from my boyfriend was normal.

Since we had to take the transportation tunnel to the Other Realm, I told Zach I’d meet him at his place. He texted me that he was running behind, so it didn’t surprise me when he opened the door looking a little frazzled.

“Sorry, sorry. I had a walk-in right as I was heading out and I couldn’t turn it down. I wanted to get cleaned up before we left so I didn’t smell like the spa, but now I’m behind and–”

Putting my hands up, I fought off a smile. “You’re okay. We’ve got time.”

He huffed out a breath, his lips pursed to hide his frustration. “Yeah, but I hate being late. I was going to bring something for your family too, but I didn’t have time to go look.”

Before I could even close the apartment door behind me, he was off again, flitting between his bedroom and bathroom as he tried to get ready. He didn’t stop long enough for me to even kiss him hello. It took me a minute to figure out why he was acting that way.

“Are you nervous?”

He hesitated, his eyes locked on the mirror, where he was fiddling with his hair and fixing his makeup. A blush slowly stole up his face and when I came closer, he bit his lip.

“I guess maybe a little. I know I said I’d help and I absolutely will, but it feels a little weird. I want them to like me, but I also want them to listen to you. I’m not sure how to balance that.”

It was sweet that he was so worried. Taking his hands, I kissed his knuckles. “It’ll be fine. My family is a lot to deal with, but I know they’re going to like you.”

His brow furrowed. “Why do you think that?”

“Because I do.”

He sucked in a sharp breath, his bright blue eyes going wide. I didn’t get to tell him often how I felt, not with how crazy things were right now. It felt right to tell him now. His eyes searched mine, and his voice was a little hesitant when he replied.

“I… I like you too, Mal.”

Cupping his face, I drew him closer. I hadn’t kissed him in a week and I was craving it now. I barely felt his breath on my lips before a familiar smoke filled the room, making my blood run cold. I jerked back, my heart in my throat as I dug into my pocket.

“What is that?” Zach queried, eyeing the smoke.

Pulling out the little glass ball, I whispered my name to play the message. My sister’s voice filled the room, a sense of urgency in her tone.

“Malakai, you need to come home. It’s dad.”

---