Page 56 of A Cursed Heart
This was also a sign that Ryan truly wanted a relationship with me. Though the city he lived in wasn’t small, there was still a chance we could run into people he knew. From stories on theinternet, I’d read horror stories of men hiding their partners while coming to terms with their sexuality.
“I would like that. Are you not worried about people seeing us?”
“Mal, people already know you’re my boyfriend. I don’t care what people think. I put something on the bed for you to wear.”
He had obviously planned this, I realized when I entered the bedroom to find pants, a shirt similar to Ryan’s and new shoes waiting for me. Using a touch of magic, I dressed quickly and braided my hair back.
“Do you think,” I asked as I walked into the living room while putting the finishing touches to my hair, “that I should cut my—“
“No, don’t cut your hair unless you really want to. I love it like it is.”
“Okay.” I shrugged. “People tend to stare at me.”
“Trust me, it’s not the hair. Everything about you is hot. The hair would still attract attention because of the color.”
“Then should I change—”
“Mal, just be you, okay? Now come on, we need to get lunch.”
“Wait! I need to set up some protections around the apartment. I don’t feel good about leaving it when it is clear we are being followed.”
Ryan sighed. “Fuck, yeah, I never thought about that. Will it take long?”
It took me only a few minutes to walk the apartment, sending magic into the walls, the door, the floor and ceiling. Anywhere that was vulnerable to attack was protected. “There,” I announced, “done.”
We left the apartment holding hands. I led Ryan to where I had left the car, and he drove us to a restaurant on the other side of the city.
“This place is great,” he told me as he led me by the hand into the small, well-kept building. It wasn’t all that far from SalvatoreHoldings, which left me slightly uneasy. Still, I had plenty of magic to protect Ryan should I need it.
After only a moment, we were seated at a private table in the back. The tablecloth was starched white, the napkins folded into fan shapes, and the glassware gleamed in the sunlight filtering through the floor to ceiling windows near us. A small vase holding a pink rose sat between me and Ryan.
A look at the menu had my mouth watering. There were so many options!
“The food is great here. Order whatever you like.”
“It’s difficult to choose.”
“Right? Why don’t we order a bunch of appetizers and share them? We can always order a main course after, if you’re still hungry.”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
An hour later, I could not stomach the idea of more food. The servings had been generous, and we had ordered far too much. I shared a look with Ryan. “I don’t think—“”
“Nah, me neither. It was good, though, right?”
“Absolutely. The company was excellent, too.”
Ryan blushed. “I’m glad we could have this. I know with Freya around—”
“Don’t.” I had to stop him. Deep down, I knew he didn’t regret having his daughter in his life. His other partners before me had made her an issue. A mistake I would not make. I loved that little girl as much as I did her father. “You wouldn’t be you without her. Ryan… I think that without Freya, I wouldn’t be… I’m falling in love with you.”
“Same.” He coughed, clearing his throat, looking awkward. “We wouldn’t have met if it wasn’t for Freya because I wouldn’t have been in Jasmine’s life. Mal… I… what we have is so fucking important to me. You’ve changed my life and made everything better. I dunno what I’d do without you.”
Baby steps. I could hardly expect a full love confession immediately. Ryan had only just admitted to being attracted to me. Deeper feelings would develop over time.
Our date was a perfect little escape from our lives for a moment, but I couldn’t help feeling relieved when we returned to the apartment and the gem. Its pull was still there, though it held less of a hold on me, perhaps because of my tight bond with Ryan.
I paused when we got to the door. The magic, it was… damaged.
“Someone tried to get in.”
