Page 35 of My Demon Neighbor
Ness nodded, then cupped my elbow, tugging me to face her.
"I know you're scared, sweetie, but to me, that doesn't sound like a man who would demand more from you than you feel comfortable giving. If your heart wants him, I think you should go for it."
"But what if I fuck up and lose him as a friend too?"
"You won't fuck up," she assured me, which did nothing to assuage my fears.
I was glad Pythor was off at the center right then because the thought of him overhearing any part of this conversation was downright mortifying.
"How about this? Let's call him over for dinner. You don't have to do or say anything to him about your feelings, but I'd like to properly meet him as your friend rather than your trainer."
I pursed my lips for a long moment, then relented with a nod, mostly because I did want the two most important adults in my life to meet.
"I'll text him."
"You do that. Then can you check on Alia while I finish up here?"
"Sure."
Me: Would you like to come over for dinner with Nessa and her daughter?
Pythor: I'd love to! What should I bring?
Me: You don't need to bring anything. Say 6 p.m.?
Pythor: I'll be there.
Sliding my phone into my pocket, I went to the studio, where I found Alia still busy with her painting while Hella slept at her feet.
"May I see it?" I asked as she glanced up, her eyes flicking from me to the canvas she was working on.
"I'm almost done. Give me two minutes."
"Okay."
Exactly two minutes later, she put her brush away and grinned. "Done!"
I walked around to her side, peering at the canvas and smiling widely. She'd done a portrait, with a pink-haired woman, a man clad in an oversized coat, and a sweet girl standing between them with a big, blobby, black dog sleeping at her feet.
"Aww, it's us!"
"Do you like it?"
"I love it. I just might display it in the living room. Unless you want to take it home?"
She shook her head, giving me a sweet smile. She looked so much like her mom, though her hair was a natural, warm brown color. "Nope. This is for you."
"Thanks, kiddo. I'll treasure it."
"You better."
"Would you like to come have a snack? Your mom's back."
Her eyes lit up, but because she was a good girl, she washed the brushes and palette she'd used first, then took off toward the kitchen as soon as I'd removed her apron, shouting, "Mom!"
I chuckled, then hung up the apron before following her, leaving Hella to continue her nap.
When I came into the kitchen, Alia was halfway through describing her new painting while Nessa listened intently, and the scene made me smile. While I rarely made portraits—and never professionally—I was tempted to paint this moment, just like I'd been tempted to paint Pythor's demon form. I hadn't gotten to see it again, since I felt weird asking him to shift, and he hadn't done it himself yet.
Once she was done, Nessa promised she'd take a look at it as soon as she was done there, then told her about Pythor, and that they'd be meeting him tonight.
Alia turned to me with wide eyes. "You made a new friend, Uncle Codie?"
"You don't have to soundthatsurprised," I muttered dramatically, making her giggle. The sweet sound warmed my chest, and I wished I could protect her from all the shit in this world.
I was glad she wasn't my kid, because I had a feeling I'd have turned into one of those paranoid parents who didn't let their kids leave the house at all and destroyed their lives because of their own fears. I tried not to think about all the dangers Alia faced every time she went out, because I already had too much fear to deal with, and I didn't think I'd be able to function if I thought too deeply about it.
