Seven

Arien

Kyvian drags me inside the book shop, not stopping until we’re in a small office in the back. “Okay, what was that all about back there?”

Blowing out a breath, I fold my arms in front of me, my nails digging into my skin. “He’s my new patient. The reason I’m here on a work visa.”

Kyvian’s eyebrows shoot up and he leans against the nearest wall, stroking his chin. “Are you sure that’s all, because your tail was doing that curl thing it does whenever you like someone.”

I roll my eyes, my hands pressing harder into my arms. No doubt they’ll leave behind fingerprints. I hate how well Kyvian knows me sometimes and how observant he can be. “Yes. Our relationship is strictly work related, and that’s all.”

“Mhm,” he says, not sounding convinced.

“It is,” I shout, shoving at his chest.

A short, high-pitched laugh spurts from his lips. “Okay, okay.” He raises his hands in the air. “If you say that’s all it is then I believe you.”

“Do you?”

“Not really, but I’m trying to be a supportive friend here.”

“Okay, so I think the guy is kinda cute.”

“Only kinda, huh?” he teases. “Don’t forget I’m an incubus. I can see lust.”

I lift my eyes. “Fine. He’s hot. Like super-hot. And he has this other side to him that I was fortunate enough to get a glimpse of and it’s hard to not want to see more.”

“There. Was that so hard to admit?” He lowers his face, holding my stare.

“A little bit. Okay, a lotta bit. I’m supposed to be professional here.”

“He’s your first patient. Go easy on yourself. It’s not like you’ve acted on anything.”

“Yeah, and I can’t either. I can’t let my silly attraction to him get in the way.” At least, I hope that’s all it is. I’ve almost gotten him to smile more than once, and I just know it’ll take my breath away when he finally does. I just know I’ll want to press my mouth to his so I can feel it too. Son of Squibble bug. How did I get here, and how in the world do I find my way back to rationality?

“How long is this treatment or trial period?”

“Six months.” I wiggle my toes in my shoes. Getting used to the confinement around my feet hasn’t been easy, and years of wearing shoes has helped much either. They’re the first things to go the moment I walk through the portal, and then when I’m inside my tiny duplex, I toss off my clothes. I didn’t wear any of it when I lived outside the gates, but humans really do like covering themselves as much as they can.

“I’m sure that’ll go faster than you realize. Then, when it’s all over and you’ve moved on to working with someone new, you can finally break that no-touching rule with Elias.” He smiles smugly and I shove my hand to his chest again.

“And this is why I didn’t want to say anything.”

Kyvian’s eyes soften, and he lays a hand on my shoulder. “You know I’m only ever real with you. It’s my job as your friend. Also, I always root for a blooming romance when I see one, and he definitely looked like he was interested in you back.”

My heart experiences a light jolt. “You think so?”

“I do.”

I roll the bottom of my shirt between my fingers. “I think he’s just in need of a friend right now.” Someone who doesn’t see him as the bad person he thinks he is. Someone to help bring him closer to reaching for dreams again.

“You might be right. He is alone every time I see him, but who knows, maybe he does have friends or family close by and I just haven’t seen them yet.”

“I’m not so sure, but I hope you’re right.” I don’t think he is, though. Elias’s relationships with other people seemed to have fallen apart after Adam died. He and his sister continue to keep in regular contact but he’s not as honest with her as he should be. It’s kind of hard to be there for someone when they keep pushing you away.

“I’m sure. I am. And if not, you’ll be there to keep him company in six months.” He winks and we both erupt into laughter. I’m thankful when his new employee walks in and the subject is changed. They start talking about a new book shipment and I walk around, browsing the shelves. I stumble upon a few books about grief and read several chapters in three different ones. When it’s almost time for my visit to end, I make my final decision on what I want to purchase and set everything next to the register.

Kyvian scans both items and places them in medium sized bags as I slide my card into the machine.

“You’ll be back again soon, right?”

“Yeah. Hopefully tomorrow. It all depends how much he sleeps during my work hours.”

“I can always stop by your job and bring you coffee or tea during your break. You get one of those, right?”

“Yeah.” I smile, clutching the bag to my side. “I just don’t always know when they’ll be. I should know his schedule better within the next week or so, though.”

“Well, I’m glad I got to see you today and that you aren’t so far away anymore.”

“Me too.” I hug my friend goodbye after seeing that my ride’s outside, and wave goodbye to Zyn on my way out of the shop.

“I hope you don’t need to go anywhere else today,” the driver grinds out. “We’re already behind as it is.”

“Nope. I’m ready to go home.” I slip into the back, laying the bag of books on my lap. Looking out the window, I smile at the setting sun and sigh in contentment against the cool glass. The whole way home I swear up and down I haven’t seen anything more beautiful, then just as I walk through my door and feel a pull toward a drifting Elias, the view of his dark-brown eyes peering up at me are more mesmerizing than any fiery colors painted in the sky. They’re filled with so much potential to be even brighter too.

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