TWENTY EIGHT
Elodie
I’m not sure what to expect when I knock on Quinn’s door a little while later. Whatever it takes, though, I’m not giving up. I’m going to make sure they know how much I care.
After a rustling sound, when Quinn speaks, it’s obvious they’re standing right by the door. “Who is it?”
“It’s me. Let me in?”
After a pause, they say, “No.”
I smile to myself. I didn’t think this would be easy. “OK, well I guess I’ll just leave the presents out here then and go.”
Another pause. “That’s not fair, Dee. You know I love presents. But I’m not talking to you.”
I press a palm to the door, wishing I could see their face. “I know. I’m sorry. Truly. I’ve been a dick. I need you to forgive me.”
Quinn sighs. “What are the presents?”
“You’ll have to open the door to see.”
When the door opens, Quinn peers around it. Their face is clean of makeup and they have on their slippers and a fluffy headband. “I’m still mad at you.”
“But you’re going to let me in, aren’t you?” I hold up the shopping bags and wait.
Eventually, Quinn moves back from the door. “I guess you can put the presents inside. Then you can leave.”
I walk in through to the kitchen, and put the bags on the counter. Quinn follows, watching. Then I turn and open my arms. “I’m going to hug you now.”
“What? No. I don’t need a hug.” They dart away from me when I come toward them.
“Come on. Come here. Bring it in.”
“No!” They’re laughing, though, while they dodge my lunges.
Finally, I catch them, wrap my arms around their slim waist, and hold on tight.
“Dee. You don’t play fair.”
“I know.” My voice is muffled against their chest. “You needed this.”
Quinn relaxes and hugs me back. “I did.”
We stand there for a while. Quinn isn’t usually a hugger, and this might feel awkward if they weren’t clinging to me quite so hard. “Quinn?”
“Mhmm?”
“Wanna talk about it?”
They let out another long sigh. “Do we have to?”
“I think we do.” I pull back, releasing them, and search their face to gauge how they’re doing. OK, I think.
“But first, presents.” Quinn is already reaching for the bags on the counter, but when they see the logo on the outside they pause. “Elodie, this isn’t just a bottle of prosecco. How much did you spend?”
I wave it off. “It doesn’t matter. The point is I’m trying to tell you that you’re important. And I want you to feel special.”
They turn away and I know it’s to hide the tears in their eyes.
“I mean it, Quinn. You’re so special. Anyone who can’t see that is not worth worrying about.”
They nod, wiping at their eyes. “I know. I hate having to fight for it, though.”
“I’m glad you do, though. I just wanted you to know that I’m fighting in your corner, too.”
Quinn looks a little uncomfortable. “I probably was a bit harsh in the second store.”
When I say nothing, they scowl. “This is the part where you tell me I was perfectly justified.”
I laugh. “I am sorry you have to deal with that bullshit all the time. It really sucks.”
“But?”
“But... maybe you were a bit mean to that shop assistant who was really just trying to help.”
Quinn rolls their eyes.
“You weren’t too harsh on me, though. I deserved that.” I hang my head.
“Hey.” Quinn places a hand on my shoulder and gives me a squeeze. “Thank you. For being in my corner.”
“Always. You’re always in mine.”
We look at each other for a long moment. “Are we good?”
Quinn gives me a dramatic sigh. “I suppose so. Lucky you have good taste in clothes. So, when am I meeting your demon?”
“Maybe tomorrow? You’ve got your work function tonight, right?”
“Ugh. Don’t remind me. I had to gear myself up to go, and now I’m not sure I can do it. I don’t suppose you’d like to be my plus one?”
I grin. “I’d be honored.”
It’s really great having a demon boyfriend.
Azeroth magics me up a sexy little black dress for the function. Then I quickly do my makeup and catch a cab to meet Quinn. Azeroth would have sent me there by magic, too, but I’m starting to worry how much he’s using all the time on frivolous things for me. He said there was a cost every time, and even though I don’t know much about it, I worry. Not that he’s tricking me. The summoning is over. I don’t think he can take more of my soul without me offering. Even if he could, I don’t think he would.
But where is all the magic coming from?
Quinn grabs my hand when I get to the entrance of the conference center. “Don’t look now but it’s him.” They look amazing. They have on the biggest set of fake lashes I think I’ve ever seen, and the frilly blouse coupled with the tight pants. Their hair is slicked back in a sort of wet look with gel, and it makes them look stunning.
Of course, I look around frantically trying to work out what they’re talking about. “Who?”
“Shh, he’ll hear. Don’t monsters have super good hearing?” they whisper.
I spot the tigron standing across the entry from us, talking on the phone. He has broad shoulders and a thick muscular torso. His orange and black stripes stand out against the black of his formal suit. Behind him, a long striped tail flicks slightly as he looks around.
“Wait, is this the guy you’ve been chatting to online?”
Quinn nods.
“You never told me he worked for IT Solutions.”
“That’s how we met.”
“Go say hello.”
“No!” Quinn looks aghast. “I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
They look sheepishly at their feet for a moment. “What if he doesn’t like me in person?”
“Are you kidding?” I stare at Quinn. I’ve never seen them like this. Shy and insecure. It reminds me of what I almost forgot today. Behind the veneer of confidence, there’s a really sensitive person there. “Quinn, you're amazing. And you must have exchanged pictures, right? You knew what he looked like.”
“We did. But you know I’m a lot in person. Maybe it would be different being seen with me in public. And if he reacts that way, I don’t want to deal with that. Not today. I think I’d rather keep imagining him as the perfect guy in my head, and not face reality.”
I squeeze their hand. “No. You knew he’d be here tonight, didn’t you? Is that why you wanted to dress up?”
“Maybe.”
“Then we’re not wasting this opportunity. If you don’t go over there, I will.” Just as I say this, the tigron ends his call and slips his phone back into the pocket of his dark dress pants. “Come on.”
Quinn squeaks when I tug them across the foyer, but they follow. When we make it over, he looks around. His eyes widen and his mouth drops open when he sees Quinn. I have a moment of vicarious, giddy excitement watching the two of them together.
“Hi,” I say, when neither of them speaks. “I’m Elodie. My friend Quinn thinks they know you, and I wanted to come over and say hi.”
The tigron holds out a huge paw slowly to Quinn as if he’s afraid Quinn might run away. “Hi.” He’s not even looking at me. He clearly doesn’t have eyes for anyone but Quinn.
“Hi.” Quinn withdraws their hand after a brief handshake. “Um, Elodie, this is Arrol. Well, Arrol, it was nice meeting in person.” Quinn grabs my arm. “We should probably go in.”
What are they doing? I stop them. “Hey, Quinn, would your friend like to sit with us? I’m sure we can find room at our table right? Or work something out.”
“I’d love that.” Arrol’s voice is deep and gruff, and he gives me a grateful smile.
“Well, come on. Let’s find our table.” I take both of them by the arm, and we all go in together. The ballroom is huge and filled with round tables where little cards have been set. There’s a seating plan on a poster at the front of the room where we enter. “Look, there we are.” I point to Quinn’s name. “Where’s your table?” I ask Arrol.
He points sadly to a table at the far side of the room.
“Where’s your plus one?”
He shrugs. “I didn’t bring anyone. I’m traveling.”
“Well, then. Why don’t we swap seats?”
“Dee, you don’t have to do that.” Quinn gives me a wide-eyed look.
I smile. “I don’t mind. We can catch up another time, but your friend is only in town for a little while, right?”
The big tigron nods. “But I’d hate to get in the way.”
“It’s fine. Really.” I give Quinn a meaningful look. “I’m gone already. Have a fabulous night.”
I hurry across to Arrol’s table before Quinn can stop me, hoping I’ve made the right move. When I pull out my phone, there’s already two messages from Quinn.
Quinn: bitch! Y would you desert me like that?
Quinn: p.s. Thank you!! OMG I’m dying. He’s so hot. I don’t know what to say.
I laugh and take my seat.
Elodie: Just be your amazing self and enjoy. Catch up with you tomorrow?
Quinn: yes! U owe me brunch. Don’t be late!
I look around the table at the other couples. Most of them are older and dressed conservatively. The lady next to me makes polite small talk for a while, but everyone else seems to know each other.
After a while, I message Azeroth.
Elodie: change of plans for tomorrow. What about Monday night?
When there is no response, I figure he’s busy doing something.
After almost an hour, I get a reply.
Azeroth: That's fine. Might be for the best anyway
I stare at the message, wondering what he means. Is he angry or hurt? I can’t tell. I’m in the middle of typing another, when the lights go down and dramatic music introduces the MC for the night and they begin presenting the awards. I’m distracted for a moment, but even by the time I respond, it hasn’t been that long.
Elodie: Is everything OK?
No reply comes from Azeroth all evening.