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Willow spoke with her back to us. “That’s great, because I put a lot of garlic in this.”
Mary sat next to me. “That seltzer has a lime. If you can’t taste it, that’s okay. And Willow does like her garlic.”
“Hey,” her wife laughed. “You can cook.”
“No, I can’t.” Mary shook her head. “I burn water. You know that.” They grinned at each other.
I hate this. Let’s leave.
I settled into my seat, happy to eat something.
“How long have you been without your demon?” Was it appropriate to ask? Was there social etiquette about demons I didn’t know?
“Two years now after being possessed for five years. How long have you been?” She drank her seltzer, so I did the same.
I thought about it, surprised to realize it was hard for me to remember. “Um, maybe three years? It could be a little bit less.”
She nodded. “It has to be so tiring, but you’re hanging on great.”
“Thank you.” I shrugged, uncomfortable with her words. I wasn’t doing anything. I had to think about what she had said before. “I don’t think my friend is judging me or anything. I assume he has to mean Ryker. Cruise met him today. I don’t have that many friends, so he must mean Ryker.”
Mary frowned. “Our parents died when we were young, killed by a possessed person. Then seven years ago, Jamie and I got possessed. Oh the sick irony, you know?”
That’s exactly what it was. My demon started laughing.I wonder who it was.
I didn’t care to hear any more about that so fortunately she stopped talking. “Did you feel…judged?”
“Oh absolutely. Most people did. If I’d met Willow back then, we wouldn’t be here now.”
Her wife turned off the heat on the stovetop. “I would’ve loved you anyway.”
“That’s sweet, and I would’ve wanted to love you, not that it would’ve mattered. They block us from real feelings. They stop us from tasting food, increase smell or take it away as they see fit. And year by year, month by month, they drive us to nothingness.”
A sound from the doorway alerted me seconds before Cruise appeared. “My apologies. I had something I had to do.” He was dressed very differently than earlier, his work suit replaced with casual Cruise. The gray slacks and black t-shirt clung to muscles I had only guessed at previously.
Like Mary, he was barefoot, so I again looked down at my sneakers. “Are you guys sure you don’t want me to take off my shoes?” A glance back proved Willow still wore shoes, too.
He waved his hand. “You’re good. Did Mary offer you some wine? We can do better than seltzer.”
“Cruise,” Mary sighed. “Remember?”
“Oh, that’s right. No alcohol. They like you guys to be fully conscious when they hurt you. Right.” His tone spoke of hostility. “Come on. Let’s eat.” He leaned over to kiss Willow’s cheek. “Thank you for dinner. You’re the best, even when I spring dinner guests on you.”
They shared a grin then jumped in together to serve food and otherwise chat like they missed one another. The scene struck me as bizarre—I’d never lived their kind of life, not even when my mom and Ryker’s dad were married. It was so domestic, I shuddered in horror.
Cruise was my boss, yet he served me chicken and pasta as if it was completely normal.
Mary said he did this because I needed someone to not judge me.
The three of them began eating almost simultaneously once they finished serving the food. Willow teased Cruise about his constant lateness, and he took her ribbing with a grin.
“I do apologize, Addalee. I’m terrible about being on time when I’m not working.” He sighed. “It’s rude. I get caught up in things, and I can’t seem to break away. Forgive me?”
I shook my head. “It’s nice to be here. No need to apologize.”
“Sure there is. I only had parents until I was ten, but I can remember my manners.” He took a bite of his pasta.
“No, he can’t.” Mary smirked. “He really can’t. No manners whatsoever. He’s ridiculously rude.”
