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I shake my head. There’s no point explaining. He knows what he’s doing, and I don’t want to get into it since I feel tears stinging in my eyes. If I talk about how I’m feeling, I’m going tofully melt down. “Just tell me what you expect me to do for thisjob.”
Eros sighs and leans back in his chair. “Dee, you need to?—”
Of course, the server chooses that moment to return for our food order. Sometimes it feels like servers have some strange ability to sense the worst time to interrupt. Although, maybe it’s the best time, since I worry I won’t like Eros’s answer.
The wine is opened, sampled, and poured, and we order our meals, even if I don’t really feel like eating anymore. However, I know my energy won’t hold out if I don’t eat soon.
Silence hovers over our table long after the server leaves.
Breaking the awkward moment, Eros lifts his wine glass. “To love.”
The toast seems innocuous enough, so I clink my glass to his, forced to stare him in the eye as per tradition. He grins in response, watching me closely over the tipped rim of his glass as we sip our wine.
“This is really good,” I say, surprised.
“I’m glad you like it.” Eros sets his glass down thoughtfully. “Since you are overwhelmed, maybe we can just get to know each other tonight instead of getting into what it means to be a matchmaker or any training.”
I want to resist his suggestion out of pure contrariness, but it’s a good idea. I don’t want to be overloaded with whatever my life is going to be. “Okay.”
“Why did you get into photography?” Eros asks.
I fidget with my skirt before answering. “When I was little, I loved art and creating things. For my eighth birthday, my parents got me an old-fashioned camera. They gave me a monthly allowance for film and developing the pictures. They said I could take pictures of whatever I wanted, but I should try to use my shots wisely since I could only take so many in a month. I became obsessed with finding the most beautiful shots.It didn’t matter if it was an interesting stain on the ground or a friend’s face or a sunset. I wanted it to be the best image I could capture. I hunted and searched my surroundings for beauty, for a dynamic angle. I studied everything I could about photography, art, composition, and design.”
I fidget with my silverware, feeling self-conscious under his attentive gaze. Carl doesn’t even look at me so intently when I talk. Come to think of it, Carl doesn’t make a lot of eye contact with me—at least not anymore.
I focus back on what I’m saying. “Growing up, I won a few awards. I put myself through college, studying photography and art, but after I graduated, I had a hard time making a living off my work as an artist. I’ve had a lot of part-time jobs to pay off my college debt, then I ended up picking up gigs for weddings and engagement photos. I like it since I can capture people’s inner personalities, the embodiment of their love, and their hope for a future. It’s silly, I suppose.”
“Not to me,” Eros says. “Maybe they can feel their love in those photos and remember it on the days when their affection isn’t as strong and reignite that passion.”
I blush, realizing he understands it better than I expected. “I hope I contribute positively.”
“You are a positive force. Your belief in true love called me to you.” Eros raises his eyebrows in question. “However, I don’t sense an actual bond with anyone.”
“No. I suppose you wouldn’t.” I sip my wine again to quell my stirring emotions. “And I’m not sure if I believe in true love anymore… or soulmates.”
“May I ask why?”
“I thought I found my soulmate, but… I was wrong.” I shrug. “I’d rather not talk about that right now.”
“All right, that can wait.” Eros takes another sip of wine. “Do you have a question for me?”
The food arrives, and it gives me a moment to think of something. I probably have a million questions, but I don’t know how much time I have with him and what he will answer.
As soon as we are alone, I ask, “So Death, Karma, and Cupid are actual entities. Does that mean all supernatural stuff is real? Other gods? Vampires? Wizards? Shapeshifters?”
“Simple answer? Mostly, yes.”
“In which way is it a no?” I ask.
“Not all gods actually exist, or, like me, they exist under a few names. Some gods have ceased to be when their worshippers died off.” Eros shrugs, then focuses on his meal, cutting his next bite. “Then some gods vanished because they grew tired of the role they had to play.”
I blink in surprise but consider his words. “I never thought about it. After a few millennia, I’m sure you might tire of being the same ole thing.”
“Mortals are lucky they have reincarnation…” A weary look in his eyes tells me he’s likely tiring of his own existence. “At least it keeps things fresh.”
“That’s real?” I yelp and draw attention to our table at my outburst, then everyone’s eyes are quickly drawn to his charming smile. All weariness has been washed away from his expression as he stares at me.
Eros lifts my left hand and gives my knuckles a soft brush with his lush lips. I notice a huge ruby ring on my ring finger.
