Page 102 of Forbidden! Exorcist Roommate
“Faust?” I asked, then scoffed. “What, he didn’t like that French toast I made this morning? That’s plenty sweet enough.”
Chase paused, and I knew he was listening to the demon. It didn’t seem to affect Chase’s behavior, so I stopped scolding him about it.
“Actually, he liked it a lot. He told me to tell you that your French toast was excellent,” Chase relayed. “Like, in the top ten things he’s eaten.”
I frowned in surprise. After hesitating, I asked, “Really?”
I shouldn’t have asked, because it didn’t matter. It was a demon’s opinion, for god’s sake. It should’ve been insulting. But the compliment felt strangely good, more than it had any business feeling.
I was at a loss for words. Since I’d never received a compliment from a demon before, I didn’t know how to respond.
“Well, I’m glad he liked it,” I mumbled. “Anyway, we’re not here for donuts.”
Chase rubbed his temple like he had a headache. After a second, he said, “It’s fine. He’s throwing a tantrum, but he’ll get over it. Keep talking.”
I rolled my eyes, though internally, I admired Chase’s resilience. He was much better at handling demonic fits than I initially gave him credit for. I couldn’t imagine putting up with a grating voice in my head. I already had my own, and that was bad enough.
Taking Chase’s wrist, I walked deliberately past the donut shop and stopped in front of the building adjacent to it.
“As I was saying...” I gestured to the door. “Look at this.”
Chase blinked as he examined the unit. It was dark and empty inside. A for-lease sign hung in the front window.
“I don’t get it,” he admitted.
But as I let him sit with the question for a few beats, a different expression emerged on his face. He examined the sign, then peered into the dark windows. The unit was narrow but spacious. It had potential.
“I bet the rent’s through the roof,” he pointed out, guarded.
“I looked into it. It’s typical for the area,” I replied.
That wasn’t quite the truth. But Chase didn’t need to know that yet. I held onto my cards, wanting to see Chase’s reaction first. Right now, he seemed too nervous to be hopeful.
He frowned. “That’s still not cheap.”
“It’s within your means.”
He snorted. “I think you’re overestimating my bank account, dude.”
“I have the money,” I said.
Startled, Chase’s eyes blew wide open. “What? No, no. No way.”
He started to back away, but I grabbed his wrist and held him firmly in place.
“Sagitta,” he said, sounding like he was about to argue.
I cut in before he could start. “If you could have any job in the world, Chase, what would that be?”
His mouth hung open for a second before he closed it. He glanced back at the empty unit. Finally, he heaved a sigh.
“I mean... I’ve always wanted to own an aquarium shop,” he admitted. “But that’s not feasible, man. The startup costs, the overhead, therentalone—”
“Is not an issue,” I interjected.
Chase stared at me. Disbelief was written all over his face.
“I can’t let you do that for me,” he stated.
