I snickered.
Me: I would love to see you again.
Jack: What about your brother?I mean, he seemed like a nice guy.But I generally prefer to keep my dates to myself.
I quietly chuckled.He was fishing, trying to suss out who Rathiel was and what he meant to me.
Me: Tell ya what.Next time we go out, I’ll make sure it’s just the two of us.
Jack: Ah, good to hear.Your dad probably shouldn’t be out that late at night anyway.Guys his age need more sleep than us younger studs.
I laughed aloud at that, a sound I quickly masked behind a cough.My apartment was small, and we angels—fallen or otherwise—tended to have sharper hearing than humans.I didn’t want Rathiel overhearing me.
Me: You think highly of yourself.
Jack: Just checking.I mean, I know he’s your uncle and all, but really, he isn’t invited.
I slowly shook my head, my cheeks starting to burn from smiling so much.
Me: I’ll make sure he doesn’t bother us again.
Jack: Great!How about dinner for two at La Ronde?Sunday night?
My eyes widened.La Ronde?Wow.Jack was pulling out all the stops.I considered my schedule.I had a double shift again tomorrow, but Sunday, all I had was the coffee shop, which would give me time to buy another dress before the date.Twenty bucks said Jazz insisted on tagging along again.I only hoped Rathiel wouldn’t.I didn’t want him anywhere near Jazz again.
Me: Sunday night sounds great.
Jack: Wonderful, I’ll make dinner reservations for seven o’clock.Can I pick you up this time?
I considered my options.If I bussed, Rathiel would likely follow me again.And I really didn’t want that.If Jack picked me up, he’d know where I lived.But that didn’t bother me.I simply needed to meet Jack downstairs, so he didn’t see Rathiel literallyinmy apartment.Couldn’t imagine that conversation going over well.
Consenting, I quickly typed out my address before signing off with Jack and plugging my phone in for the night.
I marvelled over the fact that my small conversation with Jack had chilled me right out.Then I stripped off my dress, hung it up, and climbed into a set of comfy pajamas with a shirt that read:I’ll get over it, I just need to be dramatic first.
I cracked my bedroom door open and peeked out into the hallway.From this angle, I could see one corner of the couch, and the top of Rathiel’s head.With a deep breath, I scurried into the bathroom and took care of all my needs before returning to my room, where Purrgatory and Vol waited.
Smiling, I crawled into bed and let Vol’s soft snores lull me to sleep.
* * *
I woketo the sound of something crashing in the living room.My heart skipped a beat, and I shot up in bed.I’d almost forgotten about last night, forgotten that I’d let Rathiel camp out on my couch.But everything came rushing back, and I sighed, rubbing my eyes.I made myself promise that, at the very least, I would be kind to Rathiel today.I reminded myself that it wouldn’t be polite for me to storm out there and light a fire under his ass—no matter how much I wanted to.
Another crash echoed in the living room, followed by a hiss and a low growl.I threw back the covers and stumbled out of bed, my feet tangling in the sheets as I tried to move too quickly.Whatever was happening out there, I needed to get a handle on it before my neighbours called the cops.
I opened the door and padded down the hallway, still groggy from sleep.The sight that greeted me in the living room nearly had me doubling over in laughter.
Purrgatory and Vol appeared to be in the middle of an epic showdown—right on top of Rathiel.He stared at the ceiling as though afraid to move, lest my kitty’s claws found their way to a more sensitive area.Purrgatory, his ginger fur puffed up like a dandelion, stood perched on Rathiel’s chest, swiping a paw at Vol.The little imp, not to be outdone, stood on Rathiel’s shoulder and held fast to his hair, hissing right back at the cat.
“Get off, you flea-ridden furball!”Vol screeched, his tiny voice full of outrage as he crouched lower.“I’ll skin you alive and use your pelt as a bathmat!”
Purrgatory, clearly unfazed, responded with another hiss, swiping at Vol with lethal precision.Rathiel’s quick reflexes were the only thing that saved his face from the cat’s sharp claws.
“Enough,” Rathiel growled, sitting up so abruptly that Purrgatory toppled off his chest with an indignant yowl.Vol, however, clung to his shoulder like a stubborn burr, still glaring at the cat.“I swear, I’ll roast you alive!”
I couldn’t help it.I started laughing, the sound spilling out of me before I could stop it.Rathiel turned his head toward me, his eyes narrowing, but there was a hint of exasperated amusement in his expression.
“Is this your idea of a wake-up call?”he asked, his voice dry.
