Chapter 24 Sagitta
Sagitta
It was the dawn of our final day together. At least, in terms of my grace period.
My eyes opened blearily to the sight of Chase’s sleeping form. I’d gotten far too used to sleeping beside him, and his warmth and comfort was something I never wanted to give up.
Shutting my eyes for another wink of sleep, I snuggled closer to him. With a soft grunt, Chase lifted his muscular arm and curled it around my shoulders, pulling me against his chest. I relaxed and sighed wistfully.
As I floated off, I thought about how he’d asked me the same question many times. Now, I finally knew the answer.
I knew exactly what I wanted.
“I’m going to quit my exorcist job,” I told Chase over breakfast.
He gawked at me over the table. We were in a cute cafe close to his apartment, and he was two bites into a feta omelette when I dropped the bombshell.
“You—what?” he asked, blue eyes wide.
I took a sip of my coffee, then repeated, “I’m going to quit my exorcist job.”
Chase put his utensils down and leaned forward, whispering over the hustle and bustle. “You can’t do that!”
“Why not?” I challenged.
His mouth remained open, ready to shoot a comeback, but one never came. He sat back in his seat as he mulled it over.
“That’s a good question.” Frowning, he asked, “You’re not quitting because of Faust, are you? Because Hartford said you couldn’t have exorcised him, no matter what you did.”
I shook my head. “It has nothing to do with Faust.”
Chase looked relieved, though still confused. “Why then?”
“Because I want to be a co-owner of the aquarium shop with you.”
For a few seconds, Chase didn’t react. He barely breathed. Then he sat up straighter, a serious expression spreading across his face. He reached across the table and placed his hands on top of mine. I felt a warm spark as his skin touched mine.
“You’re serious,” he said. A statement, not a question.
“I am serious,” I confirmed. “I crunched the numbers again this morning, just in case we missed something, but everything looks good. It’s a great location, there’s a local demand, and most importantly, we have the passion.”
Chase fidgeted in his seat. He was brimming with excitement, but still wouldn’t let it spill over. There was something still holding him back, and I was certain I knew what it was.
“You’re still worried about the rent money, aren’t you?” I asked.
He snorted. “I got fired from a part-time job at the mall. I’m not exactly swimming in it. And it’s not cool of me to ask for it from you, no matter how liquid you are.”
He was too fair and kind for his own good.
“I thought you’d say that,” I remarked, reaching down for my briefcase.
Chase cocked his head like a curious dog as I flicked my case open and pulled out a stapled stack of documents. I handed it to him silently. His brow knit together as he looked it over. He was reading in earnest, not skimming.
After a few minutes, Chase lowered the documents.
“Seriously?” he breathed.
I nodded. “My father bought the unit a few months before he passed. As his oldest, it was passed down to me.”
“But... the for-lease sign?” Chase asked incredulously.
“Just for show. Otherwise, a unit that’s been empty for years looks suspicious. The sign makes it seem like the right offer hasn’t come along yet.” I smirked. “Which was true.”
Chase pushed his hair back as he stared at the documents in disbelief. “Wow,” he breathed. “Wow.”
“I told you my father used to have an aquarium shop in Thailand, right?” I asked.
Without taking his eyes off me, Chase nodded.
I smiled. “You’ll never guess what he bought this unit for.”
Chase visibly shuddered and rubbed his arms. “Sheesh, I just got chills.” He laughed, and there were stars in his eyes. “That’s crazy.”
I found his hand and squeezed it. “If you accept, you’d be making his dream come true. Don’t give up on your dream, Chase. If nothing else, think of it as an investment in our future.”
He swallowed. “Our...?”
I shot him a knowing look. “I said what I said.”
Chase looked like he might cry, but it was swept away as he laughed instead. “I’m, like, crazy in love with you, you know that?”
My heart swelled, full and warm. “I am, too.”
“I’ve never been so glad to get possessed by a demon lord at my own birthday party. Because I got to meet you.”
I chuckled. “And I’ve never been so glad to suck at my career. Because now I have an amazing boyfriend.”
His cheeks flushed. “Not as amazing as mine.”
“Is this our first argument as a couple?”
“Probably. Can you pass the cream?”
Chase wriggled his eyebrows and I instantly regretted my word choice. I also may have gotten a bit hard under the table.
After we left the cafe, I walked two steps before something brushed my fingers.
It was Chase’s hand. He playfully nudged the side of my palm, then hooked our fingers together.
The gesture was so small and innocent, but it made my heart race. It felt like a big step, a neon sign declaring our relationship to the world.
Chase mistook my surprised joy as hesitation. “You good? We don’t have to, if you don’t—”
I clenched his fingers harder. Maybe too hard.
“Ow, okay, I get the point,” he said through a laugh.
“You need to teach me all these things,” I mumbled, a bit defensively. “I’ve never been in a relationship before, remember?”
“It’s cool. We’ll take it at our own pace.” He smiled. “You can start by, uh, not pinching me like a crab.”
“Sorry.”
I stopped clenching his hand. Somewhat. I didn’t want to let him go. I’d never felt this way about anybody before, and it would’ve frightened me if it didn’t feel so good.
Chase’s companionship was natural and easy. I’d always heard that love was difficult, and that it took work, but I never experienced that with Chase. We had a couple annoyances here and there, mostly at the beginning, but he made me feel safe and comfortable. Cared for. Loved.
I probably didn’t tell him that I loved him enough.
“I love you,” I said abruptly.
Chase was mid-step on the sidewalk when I’d blurted that out. He halted. His blue eyes rounded and his cheeks flushed pink.
“I—I love you, too. Obviously,” he added.
As if unable to stop himself, his mouth broke out into an ear-to-ear, puppy dog grin. That was another thing I liked about him. It was so easy for him to show his affection, which made me feel secure. I never doubted how he felt about me.
I cleared my throat. “It felt right to tell you.”
He chuckled. “Thanks. It’s nice to hear.”
The pad of his thumb caressed the back of my hand, reminding me he was there, and we were linked.
A warm layer of calm settled over my heart. The future felt inviting instead of frightening. All because Chase was with me.
I gripped his hand a bit tighter. Not crab-tight, but enough to transmit the gushy, romantic feelings I couldn’t express out loud.
I’d get there. One day.