Page 32 of It's In His Hiss

Verity nods. “Let her in, Gordy. Letthemin. If she’s part hunter and part witch, your snakes won’t trust her until they feel she belongs.”

I glance at Alice, into her beautiful eyes. “Yeah,” I whisper. “She belongs.”

Not only to them but to me.

I brush a lock of hair from her face. “We’re both new to this. It’s not every day you find out your girlfriend’s genes are your kryptonite.”

Alice snorts, her face alive with…life. “And it’s not every day your boyfriend needs a ‘Do Not Pet’ sign for his head.”

“True,” I concede.

The mood lightens a fraction before her expression shifts. There’s fear there, real, palpable fear, and it slices through me sharper than any blade.

“I need to shower,” she says suddenly, pulling away from me with an urgency that stings. “And change my clothes. At my apartment.”

“Sure,” I reply, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice. “I’ve washed your clothes and put them in the bathroom.”

She nods, a quick, jerky motion, and darts toward the bathroom to dress, her movements as skittish as a deer caught in headlights. As she disappears inside, my heart clenches tight.

“Gordon,” Gideon says, a hint of sympathy in his tone, “she’ll need time.”

“Time, huh?” I watch the closed door, the weight of my snakes resting heavily on my shoulders. “Guess I’m pretty good at turning things to stone, including relationships.”

“Give her space, but be there,” Gideon advises with the wisdom of someone who’s walked a rocky path or two. “She’s scared, but she’s here. That’s what counts.”

“Right,” I mutter, uncertain if I’m trying to convince him or myself. “Here.”

Gideon claps a hand on my shoulder, and I can tell by the weight of his gaze that he’s about to drop some heavy wisdom. “Gordon, before we head out, think long and hard about this. Your road with Alice is going to be full of potholes.”

“Thanks for the pep talk,” I reply, keeping the sarcasm light. Can’t let the guy see how much I’m freaking out.

Verity smiles, the kind of smile that says she knows exactly what’s happening in my head. “Gordy, love isn’t easy. Trust me, I’ve been a statue. It gives you plenty of time to think.”

“About what?” I ask, genuinely curious despite myself.

“About how Gideon’s cooking is worth coming back to life for,” she teases, her eyes twinkling as they meet his.

He grins back at her, and I suddenly feel like I’m watching a silent conversation made up of inside jokes and shared moments.

When Gideon’s gaze returns to mine, his expression sobers. “Remember, I turned Verity to stone once, just like you did with Alice. Accidents happen when you’re more serpent than saint. But look at us now.”

“Still together,” Verity chimes in, her hand finding Gideon’s.

“See? It’s doable. Tough, but doable.” Gideon’s words are meant to be reassuring, but they echo like a challenge in my ears.

“Easy for you to say,” I mutter, running a hand through my snake-ridden hair, careful not to rouse them. “Your lady love didn’t sprint for the hills.”

“She did, actually,” Verity says, giving Gideon a soft look. “Before she knew the true core of him. Give her time,” she adds gently, looking at me again. “She’s overwhelmed, not repulsed. Big difference.”

“Right.” I nod, trying to believe it. “Time.”

“Think about what you both want, and communicate,” Gideon adds, giving my shoulder a final squeeze before he and Verityturn to leave. “Remember, you’re not alone. If you ever need to talk or wrangle snakes, give me a call.”

“Thanks, man.” I watch them walk away, their shoulders brushing occasionally, a picture of monstrous harmony.

They disappear down the street, leaving me to wrestle with my tangle of thoughts and serpents. I head to the kitchen, hopeful and terrified in equal measure. Maybe there’s a way for Alice and me, too. After all, if Gideon and Verity can make it work, why can’t we?

“Okay, team,” I whisper to my slithering headmates. “We’ve got some serious groveling to do.”

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