Page 110 of How Not to Date an Angel

Rami stayed with Melissa the whole time, and Julian paced in the kitchen while he waited.

Julian didn’t know what had happened, but he didn’t need details to know it was foul.

This must be what Rami meant when they’d said that humans went through so much. Melissa, one of Rami’s clients, was being abused by the person who was supposed to love her. Her spouse.

It wasn’t right.

Julian worked himself up into a mood about the whole thing, anger simmering beneath the surface.

About a half hour passed before headlights washed through the window, and Rami trailed out of the office. Julian wasn’t the only one affected by all this. Rami looked downright distraught, but despite it all, Julian was relieved to see them, and some of the spiky anger faded at the sight of them.

Julian was at the door, holding it open by the time the officers made it to the step.

“Good evening,” one of them greeted. “We heard there’s a report that needs to be made.”

“Yes. Melissa is this way,” Rami said, and motioned them inside.

“And who are you in relation to the victim?” the officer asked. His little notebook was already out.

“I’m Rami Light, Melissa’s therapist. This is…” Rami trailed off, gaze falling to Julian.

Julian saw a chance to make Rami feel a little better, just for a moment. He could tease them in front of the police, ruffle their feathers. Claim to be their partner, watch their cheeks glow in soft embarrassment and softer fondness as they went back and forth. Then, once the police were gone, he’d poke fun at them for that obvious last name.

But now didn’t feel like the time for such levity. So instead, “I’m just a friend,” Julian said quietly, and stepped back to welcome the officersin.

“Right this way, sir,” Rami told him, and led the officers through the living room.

Rami knocked gently, then poked their head in and spoke softly to Melissa before allowing the officers entry. Rami nodded before leaving one of the doors open and making their way to the kitchen.

The officer’s and Melissa’s voices carried, but not loud enough to make out any of the words.

Rami looked… sad.

Julian hated it.

“She’ll be okay,” he offered, because it was all he really could offer.

“It’ll take some time, but I know,” Rami said, leaning against the kitchen counter.

“You did a good thing, helping her,” Julian said. He glanced down at his crossed fingers on the counter, practically twiddling his thumbs in the face of these uncomfortable, serious emotions.

“But am I really even doing anything?” Rami sighed. “I just want her to be safe,” they said, lips pursed in an unhappy twist.

“She will be. We’ll make sure of it, yeah?” Julian told him. He bumped his shoulder into Rami’s and the angel returned the movement, a small smile curling their lips.

“You’re right. We will.”

Julian rubbed a hand over Rami’s back and waited with them. They tidied the kitchen, though there wasn’t much tidying to do in the first place. They paced and chatted, but not about anything of substance.

It wasn’t even that long before the police were exiting the office.

Rami directed them to the back door and after bidding them good evening, returned to the office.

Julian stayed back, trying not to overhear but hearing anyway.

“How did it go?”

Melissa cleared her throat. “I don’t want to press charges, so there’s not much they can do besides keep the report on file for the courts. I’m going to file for a restraining order, though.”

---