Page 44 of Halluci-Dating A Demon
“I did, but I already knew it wasn’t possible.”
“Do you still get to see him while you’re here anyway?”
“Yeah, during cataplexy and REM episodes. I saw him for a short while I was on the plane and then at the baggage claim.
She gives me a dreamy look. “That’s so fucking cute.” I let out a yelp when she slaps my shoulder. “Like, really cute. Better than a Hallmark movie. He’s kind of the man of your dreams, in a sense.”
“You read way too many romance novels.” But I guess she’s not wrong about either of the above.
“Hey, at least they’re full of men who will never let me down.”
I chuckle, holding back a little, and I pinch the skin of my arm. Stay here. You can be like everyone else for at least for yourfamily. Stay here. The last thing I need is them worrying about me more.
“There’s always that,” I finally say. “As long as it only involves the kind who bring you HEAs.”
“And those are the only ones worth my time.” She spins around, moving back toward her bag, and pulls out five different outfits. This is going to take a while, isn’t it?
“And now for outfit number one,” she calls out, gathering all her clothes in her arms as she walks into the bathroom.
Looking at Arien’s last message again, my heart dances, and I lower myself onto the bed as my knees wobble.
“I think the boyfriend is up to no good, don’t you?” A sweet whisper enters my ear and then the door snicking open has me blinking my eyes rapidly.
Amy spins out of the bathroom in a red floral dress, reminding me a lot of my mother when she was younger. Her dark brown hair is braided down her back and she straightens the pearls at her neck. “What do you think?”
“I like it, but it’s a little too summery. Let’s see the next one.”
Her hands fall to her sides and she lets out a breath, rushing back into the bathroom and acting like she doesn’t love the extra attention. She steps back out and I tell her the second one is too formal. The next reminds me of something someone would wear on a hot date, so of course that’s the one she lands on.
Hours pass of us catching up and her showing me pictures of her work trip to Miami. My mom calls us down for lunch and we all sit at the table in silence before a knock comes, but the person at the door is in no way a pleasant surprise. Amy said he had to work.
“Brody. You were able to make it after all,” my mom exclaims.
“Yeah, and a little early too,” he sing-songs. “Didn’t want to miss out on your famous empanadas.”
Amy’s eyes slide back and forth as she mimics his words, shoving a bite of rice in her mouth, and I choke on a laugh.
“Well, come on in,” my dad says. “Come say hi to everyone.”
Brody steps inside, looking around. “Everyone. Did Amy bring a friend?” His eyes freeze on me and he slows his steps.
“No, Elias is here,” Mom says, closing the door and moving back toward the table.
“Hey,” he says, sounding like he has a crick in his throat.
“How’s it going?” I say back.
“Not bad. Managed to get the next few days off, which worked out perfectly since I wanted to be here for the party. I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t sure I’d be here either, but then I worked everything out with my employees.” I shuffle in my seat and Brody sits across from me.
“I’m glad to hear that. I know your parents really missed you.” He pauses. “I’m happy to see you’re doing good.”
“And I’m happy to know I’m doing good,” Amy says, playing hero, and I send her a silent thank you, clearing the rest of my plate.
Brody directs the convo to my dad about the new fence out front, and they go on, getting lost in conversation about other random topics, and Amy says more things that make my mom hold back from doing the sign of the cross.
Almost laughing too much, I excuse myself and wash my face in the bathroom sink. Face dripping and eyes fading, I lean on the counter and make myself laugh some more. It doesn’t work, though, so I think about Brody being here and anger sets in.
