Page 90 of I Accidentally Summoned A Demon
“So, I don’t care for it, but I like the misfit song.” Kat sang the chorus.
Nex chuckled. “For fuck’s sake.”
“What?”
“Nothing.” He pulled her closer and kissed her temple. “You’re fucking adorable, that’s all.”
Turning away to hide the smile, Kat spotted a hot chocolate stand. “Do you want some cocoa?”
“Do you?” Nex asked. Kat nodded, and Nex stepped toward the stand. “I’ll get it for you. You don’t have to stop looking.”
Kat clung to his hand. “No, I’ll come with you.”
“I don’t think so, kitten.” He smirked down at her. “This isman’swork.”
Kat smacked his chest, but he caught her hand and tucked her close to his side. They stood in line, and Kat glanced back at Lucian and Marcus standing close by.
“Do you want some?” Kat inclined her head to the stand.
Their answers were lost in the start of a song. Memories flashed in Kat’s mind. The same song she used to dance around the Christmas tree to with her parents. The same song that played when the truck slammed into the car. Images of their smashed bodies and blood that had to be too much for two people flooded her mind like she was reliving it.
“Katherine.” Nex’s voice was distant but firm.
Kat blinked. Nex had her against a wall away from the crowd. He brushed the tears she didn’t notice were falling. She shook under his hands as he rubbed her arms.
“What happened?”
“I don’t know.” Kat squeezed her eyes shut and tried to stop the tears.
“Come here.” Nex pulled her into his chest, one hand cradling her head, the other around her back.
“I’m sor—”
“Don’t apologize.” He kissed her head. “It’s all right.”
Kat sunk into his arms and took deliberate breaths until the shaking stopped. Nex stroked her hair, and her body relaxed against him.
“What happened?” he asked. There weren’t any cars on the street since the whole thing was blocked for the display.What set her off?
“It’s stupid,” Kat mumbled, hiding in his chest.
“For fuck’s sake, Katherine. Stop saying that.” Nex guided her back so he could look at her. “Don’t minimize it. What happened?”
“A song.” Her lip trembled. “That was playing when . . .”
Nex pulled her back in and held her tighter. “I understand why you want to be here.” He glanced at the crowd. He actually didn’t understand why anyone wanted to be here, but he did understand she associated it with her parents. “But perhaps it’s a little much.” He tilted her chin up. “Is it too much?”
Kat pressed her lips together to contain the sob. She didn’t want to admit it was. She should be doing it to honor their memory. One glimpse at the displays had her body trembling and tears building faster. She nodded and avoided Nex’s gaze.
He kissed her forehead. “Then we won’t stay.”
“What about everyone else?”
“They’ll understand.” He laced his fingers with hers. “Let’s go watch that sexist movie and make fun of it.”
“That sounds fun.” Kat giggled, wiping her tears. He gave her a small smile, and her heart filled. She rubbed her thumb over his cheek. “Thank you.” She kissed the opposite cheek. “I don’t know what I’d do without you. I . . . I’m glad I accidentally summoned you.”
Words weren’t Nex’s strong point, so he kissed her and led her away from the crowds and bright lights. Passing her church on the way home, she was distracted, and Nex put all his energy into cheering her up. Neither of them noticed Gabriel in the window.
