Page 41 of The Duplicity of Thieves

After my reconnection with Josie, I tried not to think about her, despite the fact that I have spent years secretly dreaming about her. She’s somehow more than I remember. Witty and charming without trying. She commands a room without even thinking about it. Who is she?

Josie admitted she isn’t from here, but she didn’t divulge where she originates from. I do know the most important person to her is Vivian. That’s her sister without relation, and she said that they’ve been through things together. That could point in any direction. Usually when I hear that sort of sentiment it means that they’ve just been through routine everyday life together or that they were roommates, but the way she said it was haunted. She doesn’t strike me as shallow. I mean, she bashed a man’s face in because he bothered her.

The way she had posted up on her side of the booth said that she was confident. She challenged everything I said, which tells me she’s speculative. Her frustrating demeanor only attracts me that much more, like a fly caught on a web. I just want to see her again and prove to myself that I’ve been building up this girl in my head. She can’t rival a version of herself that she doesn’t know exists.

I recall that Hermes’ boyfriend, David, introduced Vivian as his coworker. If I go to the clinic, I can ask about her sister, track Josie down, and move on from it all. I can focus back on work and continue filling my bed with thoughtless women. If Josie can’t be the woman I imagined her to be, then I can realize that doesn’t exist, and find some woman that will fulfill the basic role of being my future wife. My future wife can do whatever it is she wants, and I can go about my own business.

Sounds fucking miserable.

By the time I look up from my engrossing thoughts, I’m in front of the clinic where David works, with Hermes. I was here the day we opened it. It was meant to help the citizens of Asphodel. Had I seen Vivian there at the opening? Was Josie only one person away all this time, and I am so arrogant that I never spoke to someone I couldn’t sleep with? How many times have I passed off the job of checking in and dropping off funding to Hermes?

I run around in circles thinking and thinking, even as we open the door and the cool air conditioning blasts me in the face. These sorts of places are always so fucking cold.

People are scattered around the waiting room. Some are severely injured and others look ill, doubled over in pain. I follow Hermes up to the desk where he begins chatting with the receptionist. Not chatting, but flirting. I roll my eyes already tired of his bullshit.

“Is Vivian here?” I interrupt too eagerly.

The redhead behind the desk looks at me, her eyes lighting up. “Oh my gosh, Hermes, who do we have here?” she asks in a nasally voice.

I’m already tired of this interaction.

“This is Aedonaeus. He’s just dropping off the check with me.” Hermes cocks an eyebrow, asking me what the fuck I’m doing.

“Vivian?” I repeat to the woman. “...and David.” I add, trying to throw him off my trail.

“Oh, yeah. They’re about to go on lunch,” the receptionist continues, now ignoring Hermes entirely.

“Lucky me,” Hermes grumbles to himself.

“Since they’re heading out, I can probably help you with whatever it is you need, handsome.” The receptionist winks.

“Not likely,” I say more to myself than to her.

From two swinging doors off to the side, David and Vivian, dressed in burgundy scrubs, emerge with messenger bags slung over their shoulders. They’re in deep conversation. From the way they have their heads together whispering and giggling, I think it may be gossip. Vivian steals a quick glance at the receptionist and mid-whisper her eyes land on me. The two of them straighten up and David bounds over, throwing his arms around Hermes' neck. Hermes grimaces over his shoulder.

“Oh my gosh, Hermes!” David plants a kiss on Hermes’ mouth.

He shifts uncomfortably. “Thought I would surprise you.”

David looks me over, lingering on an area that isn’t my face. “This is a surprise. And you brought the handsome one.”

“We’re going to take you to lunch.” Hermes tries to rope me in. I deserve that, but I’m not going to indulge him.

“Shit, I just remembered that I have to bring some paperwork that I left at home to the treasury.” I pretend I’m disappointed, and Hermes glares at me.

“Next time. What about you, Vivi? Are you coming with us? Hermes always takes me to this little place around the corner, and their saki is to die for,” David gushes.

She shakes her head no, eyeing me again. “Oh, I couldn’t intrude. I’ve got lunch in my bag.”

“Ugh, please. We both know you have, like, three granola bars and an apple.”

She sticks her tongue out at him. “I like my granola bars.”

“It’s your funeral.” David shrugs, but as Hermes leads him away, he turns around and whispers. “I’ll bring you something back.”

She gives him a polite grin before he disappears out of the door.

“I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but I’m only interested in women,” Vivian says jokingly, but there’s an underlying curiosity.

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