Still, she played it cool. They engaged in the type of easygoing conversation considered normal for people who hadn’t seen each other in months. She briefly mentioned work, not really wanting to think about Mtume or Fitzroy or Kent. Trevor had just finished a special podcast at his station looking at conjuring beliefs in the Americas. The audience numbers and metrics, through the roof. “People can’t get enough of this stuff right now,” he said. “We worked our asses off to get everything ready for the show for the past few weeks. I’m actually on vacation for, like, the next few days, hanging, chilling…”
“Right. Trev, I… I need to apologize,” she said. What had been gnawing away at Evelyn’s soul as the two of them stood there, gawking at each other. “I’m sorry for dropping the ball. For, um, not returning your texts.” Should she mention she’d been seeing someone?
“Evie, listen, you don’t owe me shit.” There it was, in his voice, thatearnest down-for-the-people warmth that captivated countless listeners. That did something to her whenever she heard him speak. Evelyn could admit that now. Why hadn’t she been honest with herself before? Why hadn’t she tuned in to his podcasts more?
“We were just talkin’, chillin’… keeping it casual,” he continued. “I figured I probably didn’t meet your standards. I see where you’re goin’, Evie, see how those corporate dudes be rockin’”
With the mention of “corporate dudes,” an image of Kent burst into Evelyn’s mind. For a moment, she thought she might vomit in her mouth.
“Trev, you meet my standards just fine. For real.”
He let forth a gigantic smile. She wanted to sweep him up into her arms again. “I just finished paying my tab,” he said. “I’m going to meet my sister for a concert that’s starting in thirty minutes over by Gallery Place. But if you ever want to hang out…” Trevor dipped his head down low and bunched his fists up in his pockets. His crooked grin, limned with mischief. “I’d love to take you out, to really catch up.”
Evelyn replied with no hesitation. “What are you doing tonight?”
The streets of Adams Morgan were eerily quiet. As they waited by an intersection, the light taking forever to change, Evelyn and Trevor watched a large-screen television in an open-air bar. A newscaster reported that two more demon eyes had been discovered. One in the district, another in Silver Spring. “Law enforcement has started to call this group of individuals the Afflicted,” the anchorman said, his demeanor pensive and serious. “The authorities are asking for everyone to remain calm, as no cause has been determined for the victims’ condition. Experts from the Centers for Disease Control, along with practitioners from so-called mystical communities…”
The newscaster’s voice slowly faded as she and Trevor crossed. When Evelyn had first seen clips of the red skies of New York’s Equinox, shebarely resisted the urge to scramble under her bed and hide until the coast was clear, until the world returned to some semblance of normalcy. But here she was, out on the streets with Trevor, couldn’t imagine being anywhere else, even with the unspoken question people now faced. Was the DMV on the verge of some sort of supernatural emergency? A mass demon possession, like this woman Hecuba Seraph declared on another show that morning? Something Evelyn couldn’t fathom.
They went to a small Italian spot they both loved, Evelyn in a brown leather jacket and the seashell Nordstrom dress she’d only worn at home. Trevor in a purple hoodie, baggy jeans, and boots. “Welcome,” the restaurant host said with a slight accent. “Table for two?” Her all-black outfit was accentuated by the amulet she wore around her neck, a small horn resting alongside a glass eye.
“It’s protection against the evil eye,” Trevor said after they’d been seated, clearly having noticed Evelyn staring at the amulet. “Stuff like this is popping up all over the place.” He leaned in, like he was ready to trade military secrets. “So I think that’s going to be my next big project. I plan to work on it with one of my colleagues, a special report on the significance of amulets and talismans in different cultures. The special-ward thing post Equinox is bananas.”
“It’s getting scary,” she said. “I… I had a falling out with my boss. He’s gung ho about having our company be in the mix with all of this spirit and ghost mess. But I just think… we need to be cautious, take a moment. I can’t even wrap my brain around what this could mean for DC…”
“I know.” Trevor took Evelyn’s hand, to comfort her. Let his fingers linger for a moment before he withdrew.
They each ordered a glass of Pinot. Trevor asked questions about how life had been, how she was progressing at work. Evelyn knew what the dance was supposed to be, that she was supposed to ask him more questions about podcast life, give that demure-yet-chipper energy she’d cultivated for yearsnow, which made her so likeable, which she thought might’ve reeled Trevor in when they’d first met. But she really couldn’t be bothered. She just wanted to take him in, to gaze upon this man she hadn’t seen in months.
Evelyn placed her hand on his forearm, gave it a small squeeze, and then held up her palm, waiting for him to place his hand there. He did so immediately. She heard herself speak in a husky voice she barely recognized. “I’m really happy to see you, Trev.”
“I missed you too, Evie.” The two said nothing more until the waiter served up their entrees.
After dinner, they walked for a while. The evening was cool, slightly breezy. They continued to hold hands as they strolled through a small park, the occasional firefly drifting by. The silence was eerie. People were freaked out by the news, opting to stay indoors. Nonetheless, Evelyn felt like she and Trevor had managed to find their own little slice of heaven in the district. Like the streets belonged to them.
Evelyn knew what she wanted.
“Let’s go to my place,” she said.
Though her romantic experiences were limited, Evelyn usually never slept with men until after the third date. And even then, she felt funny bringing them home, preferring to go to their place. As the two entered her unadorned studio, Evelyn didn’t offer Trevor a place to sit. Didn’t even offer him a cup of water.
“Nice place,” he said.
Right. She’d never invited him over, their nights together always at his apartment. And he was lying. There was nothing remotely interesting about her studio except its exposed brick walls and her decent taste in duvet covers. Didn’t matter. As soon as she locked the door, she pulled him into her place and kissed him. His lips had a peppermint, sweet taste. Evelyn ran her fingers through his soft beard as Trevor caressed her back.
This man. Why had she denied herself this man?
Trevor stepped back and gazed upon Evelyn with awe. He slowly, gingerly peeled off layers, a Cheshire cat grin fixed on his face. He pulled his T-shirt over his head. Revealed his massive cinnamon chest and nipples surrounded by a hint of curls.
“Is this okay, Evie?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Evelyn couldn’t nod quickly enough.
Trevor unlocked the belt to his jeans, which fell to his ankles before he stepped out of them, and then peeled off his socks and pulled down his boxer briefs. The last thing he took off was his watch, which he placed on the mound of clothes on the floor.
“Is this okay, Evie?” he asked again, and stood there as his arousal started to bob.
Evelyn came closer and leaned into Trevor’s minty breath as she kissed him. Her tongue entered his mouth. Her lips overtook his. She felt his hardness against her belly, a rock against the fabric of her dress.
She stepped back again and stared at Trevor naked. Sheneededto see him naked. To take her time, to fully take him in. She gazed upon his wavy fade and the navy Polynesian tattoo covering his right pec, at his big, glistening belly with a line down the middle, at his penis that rose to attention, at his chestnut feet with their perfectly manicured toes, round like grapes. His skin, so luminous it practically glowed. Was he covered in some sort of oil? Is that why the man always smelled so damn good?
