by Mary Abshire
My sauce simmered while Dani watched the pasta boil and made sure the water didn't spill over the pot. Minutes later, the doorbell chimed. As Dani poured the pasta into the strainer, I placed the lid on the pot and shut off the heat for the burner. Then, I ran to the door to welcome our guests.
"Hi," Ashley said when I invited her and Jennifer entry to my home.
Jennifer held up a bottle of wine. "I brought over something to drink."
"Great." I gave an appreciative smile as I took the liquor from her. Free alcohol was a great way to start a friendship. A baby step start.
Dani appeared from the kitchen. "Hi, ladies," she said, sounding her happy-go-lucky self. "Please come in and have a seat at the table. Food is just about ready."
"We brought wine," Ashley said. She meandered through the living room and headed toward the kitchen table with Jennifer at her side.
I followed them, then set the bottle on the table. "I'll get the glasses and plates."
"How sweet of you to bring us wine," Dani said to our guests as I passed her and headed for the cabinets.
"We brought red, but if you prefer white, I can run next door and exchange it," Jennifer said. "We keep a supply of wine on hand at all times."
Dani gave a casual wave of her hand. "Red is fine. We're not picky."
We weren't picky, but we did have our preferences. One of the many things Dani and I had in common was our appeal for hard liquor. But we would never turn down free alcohol.
I gathered the plates from the cabinet while Dani dumped the pasta from the strainer into a large bowl. She grabbed two utensils, then stuck them in the pasta. After she finished, she poured the marinara sauce into another bowl. Dishes in hand, I headed for our guests. Dani was a step behind me.
"Need help with anything?" Jennifer asked as I set the plates on the table.
"I think we've got everything under control." I glanced at my roommate. She set the pasta and sauce in the center near the paper napkins. "Am I right?"
"We're fine," Dani said. "I'll get the forks."
While she retrieved the utensils, I collected four glasses from one of the cabinets. They weren't nice wine glasses by any means, but the tall square glasses would work just fine.
Dani was handing out forks when I returned to the table. Ashley had torn off the wrapper from the top on the bottle. She twisted the cap as I set the glasses down.
"I think we're ready now," Dani said, and we both sat.
Ashley poured the wine into the glasses. "It smells delicious."
I stared at the liquor and wondered how safe it was to drink. Could they have put some kind of spell on the wine? I shook the thought from my mind. They'd been kind so far. Maybe I should give them a chance. The idea was good, but I still was on guard.
"Dig in," Dani said.
"Thank you for inviting us over," Jennifer said, filling her plate.
"It's nice to have neighbors again. The apartment next door has been vacant for several months," Dani said.
"I thought you didn't like the last neighbors," I said.
Dani gave me a sour look. Then she turned to Ashley and Jennifer. "They had a loud dog that never shut up."
Ashley grinned as she scooped up pasta. "I assure you, we don't have a dog."
Dani fixed a plate full of food after Ashley, then I took a turn. For a minute or two, we all sat quietly and ate.
"So, what do you do for work?" Jennifer asked, directing the question toward me.
"Me?" I asked, and she nodded as she chewed on a mouthful. "Well, Dani and I work as data technicians for a mid-size firm downtown. We met at work." I took a bite of spaghetti.
"We're also part-time paranormal investigators," Dani added before she shoved food into her mouth.
"Oh, really?" Ashley asked. "That sounds very interesting." Her gaze jumped from Dani to me.
Dani sipped on her glass of wine, then set it down. "We finished an investigation a few days ago. We have another one coming up in a week or two."
"What do you do on your investigations?" Jennifer asked.
"We check for ghosts or any paranormal activity. We take cameras and record videos. Sometimes Jessie senses the spirits." Dani stuffed more food into her mouth.
I swallowed and nearly choked. Holding my fork in my hand, I glared at her. After our heated discussion at work, she still thought it was okay to share my personal business. Anger started to stir within me.
"Are you all right?" Jennifer asked in a soft voice.
I looked away from my roommate. "I'm fine."
I drank some wine, then glanced at Dani. She refused to look at me. If she was trying to get back at me for making her angry, she'd succeeded.
Ashley rested her elbows on the table and folded her hands above her plate. "How do you sense spirits?"
I set my empty glass down. "Oh…I get a cold chill."
"That is interesting." Ashley grinned.
"You're a ghost detector." Dani chuckled. "That's a good way to put it."
"And do you have boyfriends or lovers?" Ashley asked.
"Jessie's boyfriend is out of the country. I'm in between lovers—"
I laughed and tried to make it sound like I was choking. They all looked at me.
"Sorry," I said.
Between lovers was a very mild statement from her. Accurate, but mild. Dani had several close male acquaintances. Whenever she felt horny, she called one and spent the night with them. I never considered my friend whorish, but settling down with one man just wasn't her style. She liked options.
Ashley picked up her fork. "And what does your boyfriend do, Jessie?"
I hesitated to respond. This woman was asking too many personal questions.
"Isn't he an investigator?" Dani asked.
I dropped my fork, and it clanked on my plate. "Excuse me, I think the wine rushed to my head. I need to lie down for a bit." I rose with my plate and headed for the kitchen.
Anger boiled within me. The more I stayed around Dani, the more I wanted to explode. She didn't know when to shut her mouth. I asked her not to give out personal information, yet she continued to do it. When would she stop?
I turned on the faucet and rinsed off my dish. Ashley strolled in with her plate. She stopped at my side.
"She doesn't know, does she?" Ashley asked in a soft voice.
I peered around her to Dani and Jennifer. They were engrossed in conversation.
"No, she doesn't."
"Do you think that is wise—keeping her in the dark?" She arched a brow.
I didn't want to answer. I didn't want our new neighbors, who were witches, to know my business. My life, my abilities, my relationship with Dani—none of that was their concern.
I set my plate in the sink, then faced Ashley. "I would appreciate if you didn't say anything to her."
The corner of her mouth curled into a crafty grin. "I'll consider it, if you tell me exactly what you are. I have never seen—"
"I'm half-demon," I said before she could say I've never seen an aura like yours. That line was old.
Her eyes lit up. "Interesting."
I hated admitting what I was to her, but if it kept her from talking to Dani about me, then my secret was worth sharing. Besides, it was better to tell her than for her to use a spell and find out.
Ashley put her hand on my shoulder. Particles of energy crawled down my arm. "You should consider telling her the truth. Friendship is everlasting." She removed her hand, then returned to the table.
While I didn't trust the witch, she had a valid point. Too many supernatural creatures were now part of my everyday life. They were also becoming a part of Dani's. Maybe the time had come to tell her the truth. But first, I needed to convince her to shut her mouth. If she couldn't keep quiet about what little she already knew, how could I trust her with even more personal information?
Instead of lying down as I said I would, I collected all the dirty dishes, then washed them while I listened to their conversation. They were curious abo
ut our investigations. Dani had plenty to say about them. At least she wasn't discussing anything about me.
Ashley and Jennifer stayed about an hour after dinner, then left. They claimed they had plenty of unpacking to do. Dani volunteered to help. Thankfully, they declined her offer. Once they were gone, I confronted Dani.
"I can't believe you brought up Drake," I said, anger lacing through my words. I crossed my arms and stood in the middle of the living room.
"What's the big deal?" She shrugged. "He's your boyfriend."
"We don't know these people." How could I make her see my point?
"What are they going to do? They're lesbians. Do you think they'll hit on us or something?"
Ire was building within me. Again, I sensed I wasn't getting through to her.
I lowered my arms. "Dani, how much clearer do I need to be? I don't want people knowing anything about me. I don't want details about my life broadcasted."
"You're being ridiculous." Her voice rose. "I didn't give out any private information."
My body temperature was rising. My checks felt warm.
"I don't want you to discuss my boyfriends or anything about me. You told them I sensed ghosts."
"It's nothing to be ashamed of."
"I'm not. I just don't want people to know. Can't you understand that?"
She pressed her lips together. Her face was tight with tension.
"Dani, if you can't keep your mouth shut, I'll—" I shook my head.
Her face turned pink. "Keep my mouth shut?"
"Maybe I used the wrong words. I just need you not to say anything about me."
"Oh, don't worry," she said. "I'll keep my mouth shut from now on." She stormed away. Seconds later, she slammed her bedroom door.
I sighed heavily, unhappy with our conversation. Frustration and regret dominated my emotions. My intentions weren't to make her mad again, but I had to yell at her. She needed to understand my position, and clearly, I wasn't getting through her thick head otherwise.
I dropped onto the sofa and stretched out my legs. My day had been beyond crap. It definitely ranked in the top five worst days, number one being the day of my mother's death. I doubted tomorrow would be any better.
The ache in my head returned as I considered my options. Telling her the truth had pros and cons. I still wasn't sure it was the best choice. Then, I considered moving out. But even if I did, I would still see Dani at work. Moving out was not a solution to the problem.
Head throbbing, I headed for my bedroom. My getaway weekend with Jeremy was looking more appealing by the second.
Chapter Eight
The delicious aroma of hazelnut coffee relaxed me while I stood third in line from the airline ticket counter. The smell drifted from one of the shops beyond the check-in area. I loved the scent. I could breathe it in all day and never tire of it. My one black piece of luggage stood upright on two wheels beside me. Arms crossed, and with my purse hanging on my shoulder, I glanced around the new international airport. The high ceiling made the airport seem bigger, and light from the outside shined in through the glass front, adding a sense of warmth and openness. For once, the city had spent my tax dollars appropriately.
"Next," a woman called out, and I shifted my attention toward the counter. "Next, please."
Recognizing it was my turn, I quickly snatched my bag and wheeled it over.
"Hi. I have a ticket on hold," I said as I dug my wallet out from my purse.
"I'll need your ID, please," the uniformed woman said.
I removed my driver's license from my billfold and handed it to her. The nametag on her blue shirt showed Sharon. She smiled as she took my identification. I watched and waited patiently as she typed on the computer.
"Here is your ID, Ms. Garrett," Sharon said, and I took it from her hand. "I'm printing your ticket now. How many bags will you be checking in with us today?"
"Just one." I slid my license back into my wallet.
"Go ahead and place it on the side. I'll tag it."
I handed over my luggage as she instructed. She wrapped a thin piece of sticky paper around the handle, then hefted my suitcase onto the conveyer belt behind the counter. Smiling, she handed me a paper ticket and informed me of my gate number. With my initial check-in completed and ticket in hand, I headed for the security checkpoint.
Smiling couples and families passed by me as I strolled through the spacious airport. Seeing their happiness instilled an overwhelming sense of loneliness within me. I missed Drake. I even missed my nosy roommate.
While standing in line for security, my thoughts focused on Dani. She hadn't spoken to me since our argument. During my last day at work, she avoided me as if I reeked of sewage. By the time I woke up this morning, she had already left for work. She didn't leave a goodbye note. Maybe I had hurt her feelings this time. I deeply missed her wicked jokes and fun-loving personality. I hated leaving on bad terms. The more I pondered about it, the more I thought it was time to come clean with her. If I told her the truth and explained my situation, maybe she would understand me and support my requests for secrecy. After all, she was a dear friend. I knew in my heart she wouldn't hurt me. And if she didn't accept me, I'd have to move out and possibly start over somewhere. I hated the idea of it, especially losing her as a friend, but I'd survive.
Moving forward in line at a snail's pace, I dug in my purse and pulled out my cell phone. Finding Dani's number, I sent her a text message: Let's talk when I return.
Screw it, I thought. I'd tell her the truth about me. Somehow, someway, I'd have to make her understand she couldn't blab to everyone. We could work this out. If she truly cared for me as I did her, we could get over this issue.
Upon reaching the security checkpoint, I placed my shoes and purse in one of the many gray containers. After I slid the square tub onto the conveyor belt, I passed through the door- sized security machine with high confidence. Hearing no alarm, I grabbed my items and left for the gate where I'd meet Jeremy.
While strolling down the aisle to the terminals, I felt a small vibration from my purse. I fished inside for my phone, then dug it out. The screen showed a message from Dani: Have a nice trip. Seeing the message brightened my mood and gave me hope that we could work through our problem.
I stopped and checked for Jeremy's flight on one of the arrival monitors. Beside his flight number, the word "delayed" flashed in red. Fortunately, I had my books on my iPhone to read. Once I located his gate, I found a seat next to the door, then retrieved my phone.
Twenty minutes later, a pair of toddlers close by captured my attention. An adorable little girl with her wavy blonde hair and yellow sundress whined as she pulled on her older brother's hand. At least, I assumed he was the girl's older brother. The cute boy had the same blond hair and blue eyes and wore a baby blue, button-down shirt with khaki shorts. The girl looked maybe two years old while he appeared to be four. Smiling, I wondered if I'd ever be lucky enough to find someone to settle down with and have kids. If I stayed with Drake, I'd never have children. But he offered a lifetime of love. My mood dove into a pool of melancholy, so I pushed the thought of children aside and returned to reading on my phone.
A short time later, the increased chatter of voices broke my concentration. I looked up as smiling men and women, dressed in summer attire, strode through the opened terminal door. I closed the application on my phone, then slid it into my purse. Since Jeremy would be walking out soon, I rose and slowly walked toward the line of people coming from the gate.
Jeremy was easy to spot from the crowd. He was taller and had a robust frame. He looked like an athlete, which he was. I ambled to the edge of the aisle and my heart picked up a few beats. I was either excited or dreading our weekend together. I couldn't decide which.
Smiling, he strode toward me. He wore a plain white t-shirt hanging over loose-fitting, khaki shorts. If he'd had a tan, he would've looked like a big surfer dude.
Catching me by surprise, he wrapped his arms around my w
aist and lifted me off the ground. A gasp of air escaped me as he squeezed my body to his.
"I would be a very happy man if I saw you waiting for me every time I stepped off a plane."
The heat of his body warmed me, and I wriggled to get free. "Don't hold your breath."
He set me down. His smile remained despite my rejection of his fantasy. "Been waiting long?"
"Not too long. I was reading a book to kill the time." We walked away from the gate. "Our flight departs from 42B, across the walkway." I pointed.
Stretching his arm behind my back, he rested his hand on my hip. I gently pushed it away. The man never stopped trying to get his way with me.
"I spoke with Ryan this morning," he said. "He told me his pack leader wants to have dinner with us tonight."
"I hope it's not somewhere fancy. I didn't pack anything special to wear."
His gaze traveled up my bare legs and lingered a little longer over my chest. "What you have on is more than fine." He gave a whimsical grin.
"Great." Knowing his thoughts were beyond my skirt and blouse, I looked away from him. He was such a naughty demon.
We stopped in the waiting area in front of our gate. Jeremy withdrew his cell phone from his pocket.
"We should be boarding soon," I said as he studied his phone. "But I think you have time to eat if you're hungry."
"I'm fine," he said, sliding his phone back into his pocket. "Shall we?" He gestured to the nearby seats.
I sat down and held my purse in my lap. Jeremy sat to my right. The seat next to me was vacant.
"Are you feeling any better?" he asked.
"Feeling better?" I narrowed my gaze at him, wondering why he would ask such a question. Then I recalled the last time we spoke. I was at work and had argued with Dani. "Oh. Yeah. I'm fine. I was having a really bad day."
Kind eyes stared back at me. "Want to talk about it?"
Well, that was a first. His caring and genuine interest stunned me. I almost didn't know how to respond.
"A new guy started at work. He's a warlock. Of course, nobody knows except me."
