CHAPTER 13 MANNY #2
I jerked my head back. “Um, Arch asked about me being a healer, and his tone is, I don’t know, aggressive. I wasn’t planning on keeping it from him forever, just until we got to know each other better, but I’m feeling pretty attacked right now.”
Arch bristled, but he didn’t say anything. Oz pointed at his phone, then pointed at Arch, who crossed his arms. “I want to make sure Manny’s safe.”
Oz typed some more. Manny, have you had any security threats?
I shook my head. “No.” I resisted the urge to stick my tongue out at Arch.
Arch sat up straighter, opened his mouth and shut it again. Oz made a Go on gesture at him, but all Arch did was run his hand over his head.
I snorted. “What’s the matter? Can’t think of anything to say that isn’t second-guessing my life choices?”
Arch whipped his head around, opening his mouth to respond, but Oz stuck his hand in front of Arch’s face. Arch subsided, and Oz typed on his phone before holding it out.
Are we still on a date?
Fuck. I collapsed back in my seat and put my hands over my face. “Shit.”
“I’m sorry.” Arch’s tone was dejected. “I didn’t come over here intending to berate you.”
I dropped my hands. “I guess we’re still good at pushing each other’s buttons.” I looked up at Oz. “Thanks, big guy. That was going south fast.”
He held up his phone. Hug.
Arch stood up and held out a hand to me and one to Oz. “All three of us.”
Oz smiled as I got out of my seat and joined them in an embrace.
“So Ms. Jackson and I went with the Hunters to where they thought the auction was being held, but it was all a diversion Randolph Chamberlain and Rory’s Uncle Hugo cooked up.
While we were all waiting for the auction to start, Chamberlain and Hugo took a bunch of goons to Shane’s house.
” I waved a hand around, indicating my living room.
“They wanted Pia. She got a text out to us, and we all raced back here. The Hunters”—I gestured at Arch—"took out the goons posted outside the house, and Ms. Jackson got in through a window and came back out with Pia. Rory’s ghost friends helped take down everyone else.
” I pointed at the ceiling. “I only had to patch over a few bullet holes before I moved in.”
Oz shook his head at me. “I feel like you left a lot out of that story.”
I shrugged. “You can get Rory or Ellis to tell you about the rest. They were inside where the action was. I was mostly sitting around waiting.”
Arch groaned, leaning back on his hands.
We were all sitting on the floor around the coffee table, having just finished dinner.
“And thank fuck for that.” He made a face.
“I was freaked out enough knowing Ellis was in the house with all those guns and thugs. I didn’t need to worry about you as well. ”
Oz smirked. “So you did like Manny back then.”
He didn’t answer, just took a sip of his wine.
We’d decided to have our dinner delivered so we could relax and speak freely.
The Cuban food had been delicious, and I’d been well on my way to decompressing, but that comment had me turning in my seat to fully face Arch.
“Well? Did you? Is that why you kept complaining and criticizing me? Trying to hide your attraction?”
His cheeks darkened. “Yes.” He gulped more wine as I crowed in triumph.
I leaned forward and kissed him on the jaw. “I thought you were attractive too.”
He looked up, eyebrows raised. “Really?”
I grinned. “Well, sure. You might have been acting like an ass, but you’re still hot. It took Oz pointing it out for me to realize there could actually be something between us.”
Oz gave us a pleased smile, and Arch saluted him with his wine glass. “Thanks, Oz, but please don’t let us make you our mediator all the time.”
His smile dropped. “Agreed. I don’t enjoy it, but it’s better than listening to you two argue. That ramps up my anxiety badly.”
I frowned at him, feeling guilty. I hoped he wouldn’t have a nightmare tonight. “I’m sorry, Oz. I’ll try to be more mindful of how we’re talking to each other, especially when you’re around.”
He held up a finger. “No. You both need to be more mindful of how you talk to each other at all times. Speak gently and assume positive intent. If you don’t, I’ll set up an appointment with Elton for you.”
Arch rubbed his hand over his head. “Yeah, message received.”
“Thank you.” Oz drained his water glass and set it on the coffee table.
He took the hem of his shirt in both hands and pulled it over his head.
He looked between me and Arch, smiling lasciviously.
“I think I’ve earned a reward for all my work getting you two to talk to each other in a civilized manner. ”
I put my wine glass on the table. “But, Oz, we haven’t done the final test to see whether Arch is a good fit for us.” I cackled at the suspicion on Arch’s face. Look, I might’ve promised to be more careful in how I spoke to him, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t tease.
Oz’s face brightened in understanding. “Yes, you’re right. The final test.”
Arch frowned. “Do the two of you have some sort of telepathy thing I need to know about?”
I waved this away. “No. We’re better than you at nonverbal communication is all. You’ll catch up eventually.”
Oz wrinkled his nose. “I’m not trying to speed things along, because we haven’t had that conversation, but the couch or the bed would be a lot more comfortable than the floor.”
I wrinkled my nose as well. “You’re right about needing the conversation, but can we please do the final test first?” I put a piteous whine in my voice.
He nodded solemnly. “Yes, I think that would be best. But let’s at least move to the couch.
” He stood up, and I scrambled to get to my feet as well.
Arch and I had only had a couple of glasses of wine over the time it’d taken to consume appetizers and dinner, so we were all sober enough for consenting.
Extending our hands to Arch, Oz and I pulled him to his feet. His expression was wary. “This had better be going where I hope it is.”