Page 30 of Devils and the Dead
She led us to the back corner booth where I liked to unwind after my shift with a burger and cup of coffee, and watch the patrons. Hades slid into the seat across from me, and picked up the laminated menu.
“I’ll admit I was a bit worried.” He flipped the menu over, eyeing the selection. “I wasn’t around for much of the disco craze and I couldn’t remember if there were specific foods or not.”
“Like Hamburger Helper and those Snack Pack chocolate puddings?” I laughed at his horrified expression. “Not that I know what either of those tastes like. I wasn’t even born during the disco craze. This place has always fascinated me, though. The food is great, and it all reminds me of old pictures of my mom and dad.”
Suddenly my good mood evaporated. Pictures were all I had. Faded photos of my parents in their ’70s clothing, smiling and looking so much in love. I’d never known Dad. I didn’t remember Mom. It was the first time I’d made the connection between this place and them. I’d always loved it here. Maybe that was because I liked disco. Maybe I was trying to connect with a part of my past that had been all too fleeting. I’d need to think more about that, but what I hoped was the first of many nights out with Hades wasn’t the right time to be delving into the depressing thoughts of my nonexistent relationship with my parents.
“What do you usually get when you’re here?” he asked, pulling me out of the dark hole of memories.
“Burger and fries. Coffee.” I eyed the menu. “Their breakfasts are really good, too. French toast with toasted coconut and whipped cream is also a favorite of mine. And the milkshakes are phenomenal.”
We ordered, both of us opting for the French toast with coffee. Then we fell into a companionable, easy conversation about food, work, friends, books, and music. By the time we’d finished eating, I was even more convinced I wanted to see this guy again. He walked me out to my car, and I considered inviting him home, but I didn’t want to rush this. I’d rushed things with Cameron, falling too far too fast, and that had ended badly. I didn’t want whatever this was with Hades to end badly.
And there was one other issue with inviting him home—my roommate. He seemed pretty chill with my magic, but nothing put the kibosh on sexy times like a zombie roommate.
“What are you doing tomorrow night?” I asked instead. “My family does this big Sunday dinner every week. It’s at our childhood home and the whole crew gathers together.”
Months of dating Cameron and I’d never even thought to invite him to a family function or to introduce him to my sisters, but with Hades, this felt so right. He already knew Xavier. I wanted him to meet my family. I wanted him to see that side of me.
“Cassie isn’t the best cook in the world, but she’s good at our old favorites,” I babbled, suddenly nervous. “And one of my sisters is a professional chef. She always brings something amazing to eat. You’ll know people there as well. My sister Cassie is dating Lucien, Bronwyn is dating Hadur, Ophilia is dating Nash—he’s a reaper—Sylvie is dating Eshu, Glenda is dating Xavier, and Adrienne is dating Typhon.”
His eyes widened. “You have six sisters? Are they all necromancers?”
“No, just me. They’re all witches, though. Perkins witches. I mean, our last name is Perkins. Sometimes my cousin Aaron comes to dinner as well.” I twisted my hands together, anxious that he’d say no. Throwing him smack in the middle of family dinner with my rowdy siblings and their boyfriends probably wasn’t the best idea for a second date. It would be more like trial by fire. If he could make it through Sunday without running away, then I’d feel free to let my heart ease into his hands.
Second date? Or would tomorrow night be a first date? Did tonight count?
“Goodness, how bigisyour childhood home? That’s a lot of people. You must have a twenty-foot dining room table.”
He had a teasing little smile as he said it—one that crinkled up the corners of his dark eyes. My heart skipped a beat.
“It’s a problem,” I confessed. “We added all the leaves into the table, but some people have to eat in the kitchen. Lucien has been talking about knocking out the wall and making it all just one big open space, but Cassie says it’ll mean there won’t be enough cabinets or countertop space in the kitchen to do any real sort of cooking.”
I was nattering away, nervous and worried that he wasn’t as interested in me as I was in him. I could tell he’d had a good time tonight, and that he’d enjoyed my company, but that didn’t mean he’d want to see me again. Maybe he didn’t feel the same chemistry, same attraction toward me that I was feeling toward him. Maybe he thought I was a nice, although weird, girl—but not sexy, not worth actually dating.
He reached out and took my hand. It was an oddly formal gesture, but it still sent butterflies flitting around my chest. He had the long fingers of an artist. I immediately envisioned him wielding a paint brush, executing a complicated riff on a guitar, playing a melody across my skin.
“I’d love to join you and your family for dinner, as long as it’s okay with the sister who is hosting. Cassie, you said her name was? I wouldn’t want to intrude.” Those long fingers rubbed the back of my hand before entwining with mine.
“Oh, it’ll be fine.” I was all breathless, my voice raspy. I cleared my throat, trying to pull myself together and not come across as a lovestruck teen. “When there’s already fourteen people for dinner, one more doesn’t cause a problem.”
And they’d be thrilled to have me bring a date to meet them. It had been a very long time, and I thought they’d like Hades just as much as I did. Heck, he was a friend of Xavier’s. That already made him pretty close to family.
“I’ve got a lot to get done in the next few days, but I absolutely will make time to see you again.” His smile was warm. “And to meet your family. Yes, I’d love to join your for dinner tomorrow night.”
“That redesign in hell?” I asked him. “And you said something about changes to the welcoming area? Are the deadlines for those coming up?”
He sighed. “Those are definitely keeping me busy, but this is something else. I don’t know how I got saddled with this, but there’s a project I’ve been assigned that has nothing whatsoever to do with architecture or design. The only reason I can think of for Lucifer to put me on this project is because it involves hell, purgatory, and heaven, and most of those people won’t even agree to be in the same room with each other. Eshu is the messenger between all three, but I can see why Lucifer might not want him to handle this project solo. It’s got the potential to escalate into an outright war if discretion isn’t used.”
I grimaced, knowing that discretion wasn’t a word in Eshu’s vocabulary. I adored the guy, and I loved how cute he and Sylvie were together, but he was pretty much chaos on two legs.
“What happened that involves heaven, hell, and purgatory?” I winced. “It’s okay if you can’t tell me. Lucien is always working on top secret stuff, so I get it.”
“I trust you to keep a secret.” He laughed. “I know, I just met you, but I trust you. Strange, isn’t it?”
My fingers gripped his. “Yes, it is strange. I trust you as well.”
He smiled down at me. “This project is actually what brought me to you. I was annoyed and resentful at having it thrust on me, but now I see it as a blessing. Well, it would be a blessing if I managed to avoid a war, that is.”
