Page 69 of I Accidentally Hired a Shadow Walker
Hormones quelled, I marched to the door, Raymond following behind me. When my hand touched the doorknob, I took a deep calming breath then opened it. Just as I expected, Jackie stood there, a goofy smile plastered on her face. Behind her, Miguel’s face looked flushed. He was a short guy but had a powerful build and a great smile beneath a head of loose curls.
He was also Jackie’s shadow and secretly in love with her, though she pretended not to notice. It was the best thing for their working relationship. They were monster hunters and often in tight situations. Mixing business with pleasure could mean risking their lives…literally.
It wasn’t bad enough that he had cheeks as red as my favorite rosy lip tint, but then painfully, his lips lifted into the most awkwardly forced smile I’d ever seen on a grown man. It looked like his face hurt!
How embarrassing. She definitely told him everything. Big mouth ass!
“Food acquired!” Jackie lifted the bags, and Miguel mimicked her, lifting trays of coffee. “Wasn’t sure how you liked your coffee, Raymond, so I got black and had them throw in creamers and flavors on the side so you can make your own concoction.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you. Thank you.” Raymond reached around me to grab the bags. “Miguel, right? Let’s go in and set this up. Give the women time to talk about us.”
“Sounds good to me.” Miguel shot me a nervous glance and then stepped around to enter the house.
“He seems a lot friendlier today than yesterday.” Jackie stuck her tongue out at me when the guys were out of view. “You put it on him, didn’t you? Got that mood adjustment.” She swirled her hips then humped the air with mimed thrusts.
“Hush!” I pushed her back and stepped out onto the porch, closing the door behind me.
“What’s with you?” Jackie laughed. “Since when are you so uptight, Jericha?”
“Jackie, this is already a difficult scenario. Please. And did you have to tell Miguel everything? I can see by that stupid look on his face that you did. Usually, he tries to look all debonair, but now, he just looks like he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. I can’t take this. It's too—”
“Yo! Chill out!” Jackie grabbed my hands, which were flailing as I spoke, and pinned them to my side. “This isn’t the woman I know. Why are you all over the place?”
“I…” I took a deep breath. “Girl, I don’t know. This man, that demon. He’s all up in my head, and I can’t get him out.”
“Damn. I was just teasing you, but this is serious.” She sucked her teeth. “I have never known any man to get under your skin. You’re the prototype for all my hype woman shit. Who am I going to tell my people to model themselves after if you start falling apart now?”
“Thanks for adding the pressure here. And yes, it is serious, which is why I’m so annoyed you told Miguel.”
“Girl, I didn’t tell that man anything.” She rolled her eyes at me. “He saw Raymond. The man ain’t blind. And he is smart enough to put two and two together. You guys were in your pajamas looking all disheveled. Anyone with half a sense would come to the same conclusion. Boots were knocking.”
“We didn’t have sex.” I told what couldn’t officially be called a lie. No sex was had—I mean, Raymond had a feast, but there was no penetration…by his dick.
“Either way, he doesn’t care. And neither do I…” she said. “I see how you look at Raymond. And now that I see how you’re physically responding to the man… Look, as long as he doesn’t hurt you…”
“Stop it.” I held my hand up. “Don’t give the protective sister speech. This ain’t that.”
“Tell yourself whatever you need.” She let my hands go and rolled her eyes. “I don’t understand why people choose to cling to their delusions.”
“Because they’re safer than reality.” I offered her the only explanation I could think of.
“Yeah, whatever. Now, can we get in there before my eggs get cold?” she fussed. “I hate reheated eggs!”
Fifteen minutes later, we all sat around the table with food in front of us. Awkward sounds of forks scraping against plates, glasses clinking, and chewing noises filled the kitchen. I avoided looking directly at anyone in the room by becoming overly concerned with my plants. The succulents looked a little wimpy. They definitely needed some love. How hadn’t I noticed?
“So…demons. Those are real, and they’re attacking. Wild, huh?” Miguel held up a piece of toast like it was a microphone.
Jackie elbowed him in the side. “Great ice breaker.”
“Hey, it's better than sitting here listening to everyone chew.” Miguel dropped his toast. “I’m sorry, but there is an enormous elephant sitting in this room, and I feel like its ass is in my face.”
“Not the imagery I need in my head right now.” Raymond looked at Miguel over the brimof his cup.
“He could have been less vulgar, but he’s right.” Jackie leaned back in her seat. “As delicious as all this is, we’re here for more than breakfast. What’s the plan?”
“We talked it over last night.” I glanced at Raymond. “I’m going to set up Natalie so she can handle things for the company while I’m away, and then I’ll go with Raymond to…hell.”
“You’re setting up a training plan?” Jackie smirked. “Really? Is this the time for that?”
