Phoenix turned to Andy and looked him up and down. “You’re dying, aren’t you?”
Andy shot Phoenix a look. “You’re not helping.”
Phoenix smirked. “Sure I am. You kissed her on the lips, didn’t you?”
“I suppose I should thank you—for torturing me.”
“I’m not torturing you. You’re torturing yourself. You might as well loosen up and enjoy this while it lasts, you know.”
“You’re heartless.”
“So are you, technically. Physicality is just an illusion.”
“Go to Hell.”
“For what? Telling you the truth?”
“I don’t need you to tell me anything,” said Andy.
“You’re delusional,” said Phoenix, shaking his head. “I’m just trying to stop you from making a fool of yourself.”
Andy smiled sadly at his old friend. “Too late.”
29
Nancy Drew skittered to the front door as it swung wide to allow Andy and Erin inside.
Erin held the dress aloft to keep it out of reach of the dog. “I’ll put this away.” She slipped past the dog and the demon, and headed for her bedroom.
Andy knelt in the entryway. “Hello, old girl.” He patted the dog.
Nancy’s cloudy eyes focused on his face.
“You’re lucky your life is so uncomplicated,” he said, smoothing his hand over her ears.
Nancy Drew wagged her tail.
“Immortality isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”
Erin’s voice carried from the bedroom. “Andy, are you talking to the dog again?”
“Just a little,” called Andy. He gave the dog a final pat and stood up. “I’m glad you found a dress you liked.”
Erin walked out of the bedroom. “Me, too. I was beginning to think we’d run out of stores before I found one.”
“Are you hungry? Can I make you something?”
“I’m okay.” She ran her fingers over her hair. “On second thought, how about some cocoa?”
Andy followed her into the kitchen. “Where’s your cocoa?”
Erin pulled a red canister out of a cabinet. “I got it.”
Andy retrieved a small pot and brought it to the stove. “What else do we need?”
“Milk. Sugar and salt. And some vanilla.” Erin took the milk out of the refrigerator and poured it, without measuring, into the pot.
Andy rummaged in the pantry for the rest of the ingredients. “Sugar, salt, and vanilla.” He put each one on the counter within Erin’s reach.
