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11
Sage
Sage felt as though a weight had been lifted from her chest as the funeral service came to a conclusion. She’d even managed to get through her eulogy without crying excessively or blundering over the words. Her only source of embarrassment came as she was leaving the stage and broke the heel off of her shoe, causing her to yelp and almost topple over.
People filtered out of the chapel, bidding Sage and Harper farewell. Condolences were given, as well as casseroles. Sage was happy to accept both. Once all the guests had gone, Cameron approached Sage, offering to pack up all of the items belonging to Mark that she’d displayed in the visitation room.
“I’m sure you both must be drained,” he said. “Allow me to gather everything up for you. Feel free to drop by tomorrow or later this week. The items will be boxed and ready for you.”
Sage was appreciative of everything Cameron had done, despite the mix-up with Irving. It occurred to her as she made her way to the exit that she hadn’t technically held up her end of the bargain. The contract she’d signed had stated that Mark’s service would be free, so long as she continued to date Irving according to his program’s schedule. Of course, she’d agreed to these terms without the understanding that Irving was a vampire.
“Wait!” a voice cried out just as Sage was in the midst of opening the door. It was Irving. Sage felt her heart flutter. There had been a part of her that had they would at least run into each other. “Might I have a moment of your time?” he asked.
Sage swallowed, uncertainly. She could feel Irving’s eyes tracing her. No one had ever looked at her the way he did.
Upon noticing Harper, Irving introduced himself to her in a flustered state. “I’m, erm, the owner here. That is, my name is Irving.”
Harper rolled her eyes. “Why are you so nervous?”
As much as Sage enjoyed basking in the glory of Irving’s adorably anxious habits-- the hair smoothing and throat clearing were especially endearing-- she decided to put an end to Harper’s rude line of questioning. “Why don’t you go on ahead to the car,” Sage told her, handing over the keys. “I’ll only be a minute.”
“Whatever,” Harper muttered. Under normal circumstances, Sage would have chagrined Harper for her attitude, but given the fact that she’d just endured her father’s funeral, Sage let it slide.
Irving pulled her into the arrangement office. His grip on her wrist was frigid and firm. It was there--the place where Mark had presumptuously pre-planned his funeral--that Irving made a heartwarming confession. “I’m in love with you,” he blurted.
Sage blinked in surprise. “You are?”
“Yes,” Irving confirmed. “I’ve never felt anything like this. You’re all I can think about, save for doors, lights, and a certain unmentionable number. I know it must have come as a shock to find out I’m… well, not exactly human, but you must understand, I don’t fit in as a vampire. Truth be told, I’ve never felt like I belonged until I met you.” The sincerity in Irving’s words moved Sage. She felt a warmth within her.
“I was watching you play,” Sage admitted. “I had no idea you were such a talented musician.”
Irving brushed off the compliment. “I’ve had centuries to learn,” he said, modestly. A smile snuck across his face. “You were watching me?”
Sage nodded. “Admiring, more like.”
Irving took her hands. “I understand if my vampirism serves as an undesirable trait,” he said. “I also understand if my prevalent compulsions deter you. All I want is the truth. You’re the most remarkable woman I’ve ever met. Please, tell me if you’re willing to give this relationship another attempt.”
Sage found herself nodding. She couldn’t help herself despite her reservations. “Yes,” she answered. “So long as we take things slowly, I’d love to see you again.”
Overjoyed, Irving’s piercing eyes fixed on her lips. He moved one hand to her hair, but hesitated before leaning in too closely. Sage longed for his kiss. It charmed her to see him pausing for permission. “May I--”
Before he could ask, Sage pressed her lips against his. The chill that emanated throughout her body was arousing and had nothing to do with the fact that his lips were cold. She wanted to lose control with him, but she knew the timing was wrong. “I have to get back to my daughter,” she said breathlessly, pulling away. “If I don’t, she’ll grow impatient and drive home without me.”
“Of course,” Irving said. He then added, “I hate to be indelicate, but are you interested in continuing with our act of intimacy at a later date?”
Sage laughed. “Most definitely.”
The atmosphere between Sage and Harper was tense in the car. “What was all that about?” Harper asked.
Sage paused before answering. She didn’t want to drop the bomb of hooking up with another man right after saying good-bye to her former husband. “The funeral director was just going over some details relating to the closing of your father’s estate,” she replied. Sage didn’t like lying to Harper, but she knew the reaction she’d get from her daughter if she told her the truth about her relationship with Irving would be devastating, especially since the two of them weren’t on the best of terms. Add the fact that Irving was a vampire and Harper would for sure think Sage had lost her mind.
It was while they were quietly nibbling on leftover pizza that Harper made a declaration. “I’m switching majors again.”
“Seriously?” Sage regarded her daughter with concern. “Harper, I can’t afford to keep paying for your tuition. Why not just follow through with your current major and get a degree?”
“Because I hate it!” Harper proclaimed. She stared angrily at her pizza, which she’d barely touched.
Sage sighed. She could feel a headache brewing behind her eyes. Harper had already changed from history to science. The last time she’d switched majors she’d said she was thinking of going into the health industry. Naturally, Mark had been all for her being a doctor, even though that wasn’t exactly what Harper had said she wanted. Sage still remembered what Mark had said when Harper had announced her decision. “Nothing would make me prouder than to know I helped raise a successful doctor.”
