Chapter 4 #2
“I didn’t mean only in the literal sense. You didn’t believe in ghosts or magic. You didn’t allow that part of your mind to see them. Now you’ve woken a new side of you.”
I mull his words over as we make the short drive to the party. There are still cars lining the driveway and lights and music coming from the backyard. I park near the street, not wanting to get boxed in and stalled from making a fast getaway if it becomes necessary.
Taking a minute to smooth out my hair, I get out and feel a little nervous.
I’ve never had a sense of community before, and these people seem to genuinely care for one another.
And with them coming over in the morning, it made me realize just how much they notice shit.
I can’t really blend into the shadows here like I did at my old place.
“Thanks for coming.” I lock the car and take Jac’s hand.
“Of course, Ace. I might be a thousand years older than you, but I want to do this right. From what I’ve seen and read, we’re supposed to go on dates.”
My heart melts a little in my chest, and I tighten my grip on his hand. “We are doing this right. Well, as right as a witch and a gargoyle can.”
“I’m only half gargoyle,” he says with a wink. “And you look beautiful tonight. I don’t think I told you yet.”
“You did, but I don’t mind hearing it again.” I’m wearing jeans and a tank top—nothing special—but I did my makeup and straightened my hair. I even put on earrings and a necklace.
Hand in hand, we go around the back of the house, finding the party on the patio. I scan the crowd for familiar faces, regretting coming here almost right away.
“This does look like a party from the movies,” Jac whispers, and my nerves are soothed.
“It’s bigger than I expected.” I spot Robert, but we’re separated by a pool that nobody is in. The whole setup out here is nice, with a pool and an outdoor bar. I’m guessing they opened their pool for the party, but the water is still cold and the spring air is way too chilly for swimming.
Turning back, I take a moment to watch Jac.
This is all new to him, and he’s fascinated.
I wonder what it’d be like to be in his shoes, and find the whole thing hard to fathom.
It’d basically be like me waking up a thousand years in the future and having to act like I’m cool with everything around me.
How the fuck are the guys so calm?
“Detective!” Keri calls, coming over with a drink in her hand. “You made it!”
“Call me Ace. And yeah, I’m here. Everything looks great.” I put my hand on Jac’s chest. “This is my boyfriend, Jac.”
He extends his hand like a perfect gentleman. “Hello, nice to meet you.”
“Ohhh, that accent!” Keri takes his hand, widening her eyes. Her drink is almost gone and I think it’s safe to say she’s a little drunk. “Don’t tell me, let me guess.” She closes her eyes for a second. “Say something else?”
Jacques laughs. “I’m not sure what you want me to say.”
“I’m usually good at placing accents.” She shakes her head, biting her lip, and examines Jac. “But I can’t place yours. I’m guessing British, right?”
“Mine is hard to place, if it makes you feel better,” Jac tells her. “I’m French but spent a decent amount of time in Jerusalem.”
I didn’t know that about him, and feel kind of like an asshole for not asking more about his past. And I don’t think anyone could easily place his accent since the way he speaks is a thousand years old. I assume things have changed a bit since then.
“You’re cultured, nice.” Keri sips her drink. “How did you two meet? You make a super cute couple.”
“Work,” I say with a smile. I didn’t go over any bullshit backstory with Jac, not thinking I’d need to. “And thanks. He’s a great guy.”
Jacques’s face lights up and he looks at me, big smile on his face. “I’m the lucky one.”
It’s a weird moment for us, but one that means so much. We’re out together, acting like a normal couple. And we’re far from it.
“Can I get you anything to drink? I’m on my third Skinny Bitch and I’m about to go fix another.”
“Skinny Bitch?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Vodka and lemon La Croix, because I’m basic.” Keri laughs. “It sounds gross, but it’s actually pretty good. Sweets and I don’t agree, and I can’t stand the taste of alcohol. Want one?”
“Uh, sure.”
“Great! Follow me. I’ll make you one.”
Keri goes inside, and as we walk into her house, I look around for the woman who said she’d lived here her whole life. I didn’t commit her name to memory, but I’ll recognize her face if I see it.
“Have you been in the States long, Jac?” Keri asks, grabbing a bottle of vodka off the counter in her kitchen. Her house is neat, bright, and tidy.
“No,” he answers, eyes darting to mine. “I came here on an assignment, and after meeting Ace, I couldn’t leave.”
I work hard to keep a neutral face. He’s doing better at this than I expected.
“That’s the sweetest. So you two have been together a while then? Do you live with—sorry, that’s rude.” She finishes her drink and starts making three more.
“We do live together,” I say. “And it hasn’t been that long but it feels like I’ve known him my whole life.” I look into Jac’s eyes as I talk, meaning every word I’m saying.
“I love a good love story.” She pours way too much vodka in each cup. “Y’all are going to have such beautiful babies someday.”
I swallow hard. Babies are out of the question. I don’t even think it’s possible for any of the guys to knock me up.
“Someday,” Jac echoes. Keri cracks open a can of sparkling lemon water and pours it into each cup, then slides two over. I pick up mine and sip it.
“You’re right. It is pretty good.”
Jac’s face makes me laugh, and I almost spit out my drink on the floor. “I’m assuming this is an acquired taste.”
Keri laughs too, bringing her own cup up to her lips for another quick drink. “The Real Housewives drink this. I’m guessing it’s not a popular choice in France, am I right?”
“No. But I’m willing to try it.” He takes another sip and cringes. “This is awful.”
“Hey now.” Keri laughs. She goes back to her fridge and pulls out a bottle of red wine. “Is this more your style? I’m not much of a wine drinker, but Robert loves this stuff.”
“Speaking of accents,” I start, and take another drink. “Are you from the south?”
“I am. Savannah born and raised. I came up this way for college, fell madly in love with Robert the moment I saw him, got knocked up my sophomore year, and have been a northerner ever since.”
The sliding glass door opens and one of the women who was at my house this morning comes in.
“Hey, lady!” she says, putting her empty cup on the counter. Is everyone at this party drunk? I assumed this would be a lame party but I think I misjudged everyone.
“Coming in for a refill?” Keri unscrews the lid on the bottle of vodka.
“You know it! I almost feel healthy drinking this skinny shit.” She wobbles a bit and puts her hands on the counter. “Oh, hey, Detective! Glad you made it!”
“Please, call me Ace.” I smile and remember that her name is Tiana…the one who said she’s liked my house her whole life. “And me too.”
Keri puts three times the vodka in Tiana’s drink that she should, and fills the rest of the cup with sparkling water.
It bubbles over and spills onto the counter, and both women laugh like it’s the funniest thing in the world.
Jac puts his arm around me, and I sidestep closer to him, waiting for Tiana to wipe her cup dry and take a drink.
She does and then notices Jacques. Her eyes widen and she makes no effort to hide what she’s thinking.
“Wow, you are gorgeous.” She eyes him up and down.
Jacques is a good-looking man, with dark features that make him almost exotic, but there’s something else about him—about all the guys—that pulls you in.
I know it’s the magic, the fact that he’s standing here looking human when he’s not at all.
But to everyone else around him, he has a weird, addictive aura that’s hard to resist.
“Tee!” Keri scolds with a laugh. “Excuse her. She’s drunk.”
“Not any drunker than you.” Tiana laughs. “And he is.”
“I agree with you there,” I say, splaying my fingers on Jac’s chest. “This is my boyfriend Jac.”
“He has an accent,” Keri whisper-talks.
Jac laughs and I look up at his face, hoping he’s not uncomfortable.
I didn’t warn him about the oversharing and liberal use of compliments that come from drunk women.
But he’s smiling, eating this all up. I’m sure he was seen as good-looking back in his time too, but times have changed.
He was a priest then as well, totally off the market.
He’s off the market again since he’s mine, but I have no issue with him enjoying being hit on and flirted with. We all do.
“It’s nice to meet you,” he says to Tiana.
“Damn, Ace, you’re lucky. He could read me the phone book and I’d—” She cuts off when Keri shoots her a shut the fuck up glare. Tiana clears her throat. “It’s nice to meet you too.”
“So, you said you’ve lived in the area your whole life?” I bring my cup to my lips and take another drink.
“I have.” Tiana gulps hers down. “I grew up just one field over.”
“Did you ever talk to my great aunt Mary? She lived in the house before me.”
“Oh yeah, a bunch of times.” Tiana takes another drink.
“Really?”
She nods, swallowing another gulp of her drink. “She was really involved in the community. She hosted charity events in that big house of yours. I was only allowed to go to one since I was a kid.”
“What was it like?” I blurt, knowing she’s drunk enough to tell me pretty much anything right now.
“Boring, since I was eight. But, uh, neat. Though she was a little obsessed with cherubs. The whole house was decorated with them. I’m glad to see it’s not anymore.”
I laugh. “What kind of charity events?”
Tiana shakes her head. “I don’t really remember. My parents were on some sort of board or something and they donated monthly. The one I went to was for hungry children, I think.”