Page 72 of The Magic of Destiny
I watched Gran’s face pale at his words, and she squeaked out a small, “Oh.” She was acting weird.
Rick reached for her, pulling her against his body. “It’s okay, Bette baby. We’re reunited now—that’s what matters.”
We talked for a little while longer before we all began to get hungry. Kai made me some homemade pico de gallo and guacamole, so I enjoyed the hell out of that before the other guys got their chance. There wouldn’t be a chip left in sight by the time they were done.
I felt for Rick, I did. And Gran. I couldn’t imagine the heartbreak each of them had gone through. Just thinking about it made my own heart hurt.
When the guys started destroying the chips and dip, I slipped away to call Miranda. The last time I'd seen her, she’d been in such pain and despair over Annie, and I was curious about how both of them were doing now.
“Saige?” Annie's little voice answered, and my eyes prickled with tears.
“Hey, sweetie! How are you?” I replied, putting a clamp on my emotions.
“I'm great! Mom took me to play with Rebecca and Jess at the park today. It was a lot of fun until Rebecca wouldn't stop talking about a boy in class named Tyler. Ugh,” Annie groaned, and I could just picture her putting her little hand to her forehead in a dramatic fashion.
“Ugh, indeed. Boys are the worst.”
“Except your boys, Aunt Saige. Oh, and Scruffy. He looks grumpy, but he's not really,” Annie rambled, and I heard Miranda in the background asking who she was talking to. “It's Aunt Saige. Yeah. Okay. Saige? I gotta go. Here's Mom.”
I heard a shuffling sound and then a chuckle from Miranda. “Hi.”
“Girls her age are already talking about boys? Did we do that?” I asked her, thinking back to when we were little girls.
“Well, we didn't, but Cat did. Remember?”
“Oh my gods, I forgot all about that. The secret admirer notes. And then that boy resealed them and stuck them in Mr. Welch's desk!” I was full-blown laughing now, recalling the way he’d opened the notes in class, his face turning redder and redder.
“Good times.” She laughed with me, and then we were both quiet.
“How's everything?”
“Lots better. With Annie back safe, I feel like I can breathe again and be somewhat normal. I'm having a harder time than ever sleeping though. I've been sleeping in her bedroom with her. I don't want her out of my sight, Saige. I can't go through that again,” she whispered, urgency and a hint of panic underlying her tone.
“Aww, babe, I know. I can't imagine…” I trailed off, thinking of the fact that now I had two lives that I was responsible for, and that I'd do anything to keep them safe.
“Khol has been incredible, by the way. I'm not sure why—I was pretty horrible to him, said awful things. Tried to kick him in the balls.”
My eyes bugged out. “You what?”
“Yeah girl, it wasn't a good time. I don't recommend trying to do that to a demon, by the way. It wasn't appreciated,” she said seriously, and I snorted.
“I don't think any man would appreciate that,” I retorted. “I'm glad you found someone you can depend on.”
“He's been very protective of both of us. And he cooks.Cooks.It's like... who is this man? We haven't slept together yet, but I want to.”
“Ugh. He's my father. You can’t tell me that!”
“What?” she asked indignantly. “You're my bestie. Who else can I talk about this with?”
I pinched my nose. She had a point.
“Okay, so why haven't you... ya know?”
“Well, I was off my rocker for a little while there without Annie. Before that, I didn't know him enough, though I wanted to know more. I just didn't want to muddle it with sex. And now, it's like the man is doing all of these household chores and taking care of us... it's like slow burn, simmering foreplay,” Miranda gushed, her voice taking on a breathy feel.
“Men who do chores are the ultimate needle in the haystack. Gods, when Kai cooks and wears that apron, I just want to maul him,” I added, in complete agreement.
“Right? Like, ‘oh yusss, wash those clothes, big man. Grill that steak, baby. Mash them potatoes!’”
