Page 53 of A Cursed Heart
“Yeah, I am,” I relented. I took a sip of my coffee and sighed. “After yesterday, it felt natural to make the next move. I didn’t want to miss out on anything with him.”
Lydia nodded. “Smart, especially with the Salvatore shit going down. Are you sure you won’t let me take Freya for the night? Then Mal can go with you if you get called to his office again.”
While I knew she was thinking of both mine and Freya’s safety, I didn’t think she appreciated how clingy Freya could be to me, or rather, to Mal these days.
I looked her dead in the eye, giving her my most serious tone, wishing she would understand that we weren’t rejecting her or her help. My daughter just wasn’t able to go so long without me yet.
“She won’t go, Lydia. You didn’t see her. She just isn’t ready. I think we should do a practice run where Mal takes you to your place, though.”
“Ry, I’m scared something will happen to her. To any of you, really.”
“Even Mal?” I teased.
“Especially Mal, with how much you and Freya love him.” I nearly choked on the next sip of my coffee. “Get a grip, Ry, you are in love with that… man, demon, whatever. Just be careful, okay?”
My phone buzzed with a text. I glanced down at the screen to see it was Salvatore. Hurriedly, I picked up the device to read it properly.
SS
With the information you have finally given me, I find myself too busy to entertain you this weekend. I expect to see you in my office at our usual time on Monday.
The sense of relief was staggering. Our plan to distract him had bought me two days!
“Everything okay?” Mal asked, coming into the kitchen holding Freya’s hand. He’d given her two neat French braidsrather than the Rumi singular style she’d been sporting recently. I guess since he had long hair as well, it was easier for him to do her hair. It had looked a lot better since he had come into our lives.
Mal, wearing his long hair in a high ponytail, which had no right to look so sexy, came to my side. He looked torn about whether signs of affection were appropriate. I kissed his cheek, earning myself a bashful smile.
“Daddy, are you boyfriends with Mal now?”
I glanced at the demon by my side, who looked like he wanted the answer just as much as Freya did.
“Ooh, I also want to know this,” my sister butted in.
“Yes, Mal is my boyfriend. Is that okay?”
