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"Great!" exclaimed Simon, looking excited. He turned to Sarah and gave her a coaxing smile. "She needs someone there to defend her honor. You still game?"
Sarah laughed easily. "Of course. You know I love you, Simon." She narrowed her eyes. "As long as you stay in line."
Simon held up his hands in supplication, grinning. "I'll behave."
"Awesome!" Sarah squealed, starting to get excited. "This'll be so much fun!" She turned suddenly to Simon. "Grant is still going, right?"
Simon winked. "He wouldn't miss it for the world."
Sarah glowed at his words. I cleared my throat. "Well, now that that's settled, I have some homework to do." I looked meaningfully at Simon and he seemed to get the message.
"I'll let you ladies get back to-" Simon stopped himself, and I knew that he had been about to make a gibe about our secretiveness. "Whatever it was you were doing before I rudely interrupted you," he finished.
Simon showed himself out and gave me one last smile. "See you later."
"See you later," I echoed. Then he was gone.
Sarah exhaled when he left as if she had been holding her breath. "That was intense."
"No kidding."
"I'm so sorry for what I said."
"It's okay." It actually wasn't okay. I felt panicked by what Sarah had revealed. She hadn't really revealed much, had just alluded to things. But I had a feeling that Simon, perceptive Simon, wouldn't let any of it pass his notice and I'd be hearing about it again. I didn't want Sarah to feel bad though. It must be a burden to have to keep my secrets.
"I was just getting worried. You were getting so upset. I've never seen anyone get to you like that before." Sarah looked thoughtful. "He really does get to you, doesn't he?"
I sighed. "It doesn't matter. I can never pursue anything with Simon." But maybe if I were able to get rid of his vardoger... I shook off the thought. I had more important things to concentrate on than a romantic relationship with Simon. Like the end of the world.
Sarah looked as if she wanted to say more but she didn't. She was respecting my earlier request to allow me to tell her things in my own time. I didn't think she would look so calm if she knew the thoughts swirling in my head.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Thankfully, the next few days were relatively calm considering I was trying to come to grips with crazy shadows trying to kill people. I slept with the iridium charm every night. In fact, I never took it off. It made me feel safer during the day, even if it was a false security. And I had gratefully been vision-free.
I saw Simon a couple of times during the week. Once on Wednesday when everyone came over to our apartment for dinner. Simon was true to his word and didn't push. We fell back into our easy banter and it was a welcome reprieve. He showed up unexpectedly at my doorstep on Thursday again, remembering that I didn't have afternoon classes. He announced that he wanted to learn how to make meatballs and had bought all the ingredients. Typical Simon, assuming he would get his way.
Of course he did. We had gone over to his apartment and had a fun and carefree afternoon making meatballs and then eating way too much junk food.
Simon called everyone to come over and share in the Italian feast, but unfortunately I had to work at Colette's that night. His face fell when I told him the news but he insisted on walking me to Colette's when I refused a ride.
"Simon, it's only a few blocks away," I said with exasperation. "And it's still light outside. You should wait here since our friends are coming over. Remember? Our friends that you invited over for dinner?"
Simon waved his hand unconcernedly. "Like you said, it's only a few blocks away. I'll be back before anyone shows up."
I relented with a roll of my eyes, but Simon's small gestures to show that he cared warmed me. I wondered if this would be a recurring argument about whether it was necessary to walk me places. This implied that I thought we would be spending more time together in the future. While this made me happy, it also made the thoughts of vardogers inescapable. No future could be considered without contemplating their existence.
We talked about our trip to Connecticut on the walk over.
"We should take off at five since everyone is done with classes by then," Simon said. "It's a pretty long drive - about six hours."
"We'll get to your place late then." I paused before continuing. "Are you sure your parents are okay with you dragging so many friends home?"
"Of course," he replied easily. "My mom is 'the more the merrier' type. She loves having company over. And my dad doesn't really care one way or the other. As long as his dinner's on the table on time, a parade could go through the living room. Besides, my mom is excited to meet you."
"She is?" I asked, feeling trepidation. Why was she excited to meet me? What had Simon told her about me? I assumed that he had just told his mother he was bringing a couple of friends home for the weekend. Why would she be excited to meet me in particular?
"Of course," he replied with a wink.
