Page 69 of See Me

I didn’t even believe that.

He cocks his head and studies me. “Either way, I shouldn’t have left like that.”

What’s he trying to do?

The shame and humiliation I felt that night washes over me in waves.

I roll my eyes. “Save it. I don’t need your apology.”

Two days ago was another story.

His nostrils flare as he blows out a long breath.

“The world feels like it’s tipped off its axis with you being… almost human. Let’s just put things back the way they were, yeah?”

His jaw clenches to the rhythm of my heart beating against my ribs. The air feels stale and the weight of it stifles me.

I walk to the fridge and grab a bottle of water, hoping he’ll take the hint and leave. But he’s still standing in the same place when I come back and I can feel his eyes follow my every move.

I look over and meet his eyes. “What? Why are you looking at me?”

He adjusts his hat and clenches his jaw. “Is that really how you feel?”

I rear my head back and laugh. “What does that matter? You never cared how I felt about any other thing that’s happened to me since the day we met. You get in my pants and all of a sudden it matters? You told me what it was before it happened and that’s all it was. End of story.”

He pulls his hat off, runs his hand through his hair and puts it back on. “Look, I’m trying to apologize here.”

Luca in a hat stirs the attention of downstairs kitty. I take a long drink of water to cool my face. “No, you’re not. You’re trying to make yourself feel better.”

Why’s he still standing there?

I push the plate away, not wanting anything from him. “Look, I’ve kept a record of all the wreckage in my life and this doesn’t even make the long list. I’m not some fragile flower with feelings you have to dance around. My mom used to kickme like a puppy over and over just to see if I would come back. I don’t need your sympathy, I don’t need your apologies, I don’t need anything, okay? I don’t have the time or energy to deal with this bullshit. I told you we’re all good. Can you just go?”

I put my head in my hands and hear the door slam a few seconds later. I take a bite of the sandwich and moan. Peas and rice that’s good.

Maybe I shouldn’t have chased him off.

They really should putmay manifest Mothman dreamswarning labels on cold medicine bottles. I woke several times throughout the night trying to fight off imaginary winged psycho killers.

I drag myself into work, mostly awake, and only resembling a human with the aid of makeup and hairspray. When I make my way out to the bar, I find Enzo rifling through boxes behind the bar. Tinsel, garland, and Santa hats are strewn around his legs as he tosses the contents of each box.

I catch a stuffed reindeer he tosses over his shoulder, who upon further inspection appears to be one reindeer mounting another reindeer. “What are you doing?”

He stands and gathers me into a smothering hug. “Blaze! I’m so glad you’re back.”

I laugh. “Thanks.”

He squeezes the hug tighter. “How are you feeling?”

I pull away. “I’m good. Tired, but good. What are you looking for?”

“The, uh,” he snaps his fingers, “pervert leaf.”

I blink several times making sure I heard that right. “Pervert leaf?”

“Yeah, you know,” he stuffs everything back into one box and starts tossing another, “the kissing garnish stuff.”

I stifle a laugh. “Mistletoe?”

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