Page 35 of Demure
Sierra glanced around before leaning in. “Being forced to be my friend because of Aodhan?”
Kaye tossed her head back and laughed. “Any friend of Aodhan’s is automatically a friend of mine. Plus, Aodhan knows I also struggle to find friends here, so this is as much for me as it is for you, I think.”
Sierra tilted her head in confusion. “I thought you were from here?”
“Oh no.” Kaye placed her hands on the table. “I’m from up north, closer to The Hills.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s not like I expected Aodhan to mention it.”
“So, you came down here for Braan then?” Sierra noticed that Aodhan was almost at the register.
“Yes and no. Dating someone who is…different…can be hard, even here in Ireland.” Sierra’s mind backtracked to Aodhan’s nonchalant explanation from the day before. “My parents have no idea that I’m with a Fae, and they’re a bit traditional, so Braan and I don’t feel comfortable telling them.”
Sierra hadn’t thought about the challenges that came with dating someone different, nor had she thought of the challenges of explaining to your parents that you were dating someone of a different species. As quick as the thought came, she pushed it away because she knew thinking of her own family right now would only stress her out. Instead, she asked Kaye, “So, what do they think you are doing then?”
Kaye sighed. “Well, they think I’m working as a travel psychologist. I travel home from time to time, without Braan, of course.”
“And you don’t video call or anything?”
Kaye smiled again, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Yes, but I call from different rooms of the house, pretending that it’s a different hotel.”
“Hm.” Sierra rested her head on her hand as Aodhan made his way over, sandwiches piled precariously in his hands. “Does it bother you?”
Kaye shook her head. “My parents are much too religious to accept the idea that I love Braan no matter what he is—or isn’t. And honestly, I don’t get along with them well anyway, so at least this way I can control when I see them.”
Something Kaye said resonated with Sierra. Her own relationship with her mother and siblings were so strained she wondered if a situation like Kaye’s would be better for her in the future. At least then she would be able to control when she saw her parents, and not feel like she was spiraling out of control when they randomly just showed up in her life, wanting her to solve their problems.
She didn’t say anything as Aodhan sat at the table, handing them their sandwiches. Sierra looked at the label, noticing he had chosen her a vegetarian cheese sandwich. She assumed he had chosen the same thing for himself, and maybe Kaye as well.
Sierra unwrapped her sandwich and took a bite. They ate in silence for a few moments until Sierra decided to break it. “Thanks for lunch, Aodhan.”
“You are welcome,” he answered, his sandwich already devoured, hands occupied with unwrapping a second. “Can’t have you going hungry.”
Sierra rolled her eyes. She knew he had orchestrated this whole thing just so she could spend time with Kaye, but she enjoyed the sentiment regardless.
The trio spoke of the weather, and something about The Hills, which Sierra didn’t quite understand as Kaye and Sierra finished eating. Even though she wasn’t able to chime in about all the subjects, Sierra enjoyed sharing her lunchtime with others instead of keeping herself sequestered as she normally did.
As Aodhan gathered the trash to throw away, Kaye waited until he walked away from the table to say something to Sierra under her breath. “I like you, Sierra, and I hope things work out for you and Aodhan.” She gave Sierra an awkward hug over the surface of the table. “And I meant what I said, you are welcome at our home anytime.”
Sierra could only nod as Kaye pulled away and stood, giving Aodhan a wave before heading out the door.
Once he was back at her side, he placed a hand on her lower back and guided her out of the café. “What are you doing after work?” he asked, as they made their way back to the library, thefall breeze causing Sierra to pull her coat more tightly across her body.
Sierra felt like being a little coy. “Hm, I’m not sure. I might have a date.”
Aodhan, who was likely picking up on her emotions, played back. “Oh, really now. With who?”
“Oh.” Sierra tucked her hair behind her ear. “You don’t know him.”
“I don’t?” Aodhan appeared to be second-guessing their game for a moment, and Sierra could see his jealousy rising like it had that morning in the library.
“Nope, but I’d like to introduce you to him. Maybe you can come to my place after work.” Sierra kept a smile on her face as she invited him over, and to her relief, he smiled back.
“I guess I can set aside time for that.”
He gave her another quick kiss on the lips, before opening the door and holding it for her.
