CHAPTER2
ZOE
Why did Bryan have to stop by at dinner?
I tried to push it out of my mind as we ate our main course. The multiple courses at dinner would be something I’d missed when we returned home.
“How’s the salmon?” Lucas turned to me.
He’d slicked back his blond hair into a low ponytail, revealing his cheekbones.
“Delicious.” I smiled. “Your steak?”
“Perfection.” Lucas brought his fingers to his lips and made a kissing sound. “Even Sebastian would agree.”
That stirred Diego up again, and he complained in good nature about Sebastian.
Nova laughed and then said, “I should have seen that coming.”
I pushed my food around my plate while they continued the conversation. I shouldn’t have been evasive when Lucas asked if we were friends, but I didn’t want to get into the particulars of our relationship. If I told Lucas that the elf who broke my heart was the same one on our cruise, our vacation could end on a sour note. How would I feel if I learned that someone Lucas had dated was on the ship? I wouldn’t be thrilled, that was for sure. And I didn’t want this perfect week to end, especially like that.
Since I’d run into Bryan earlier, memories slithered through my mind. It had been a dark period in my life. I’d seen my father killed by demons and fighting evil had turned into an obsession.
Unfortunately, I’d neglected other parts of my life, including my relationship with Bryan. He’d cheated on me and then blamed me for not giving him enough attention. Although I wouldn’t take the blame for him straying, I’d admit I wasn’t an ideal partner. Relationships took work, consideration, and being there for one another. We’d both failed in that area.
I vowed not to let my workaholic nature screw up my relationship with Lucas. He was one-of-a-kind, so good-natured and high-spirited. He was good to me and made me feel good about myself. When I became too focused on a case, neglecting self-care, he ensured that I step away and decompress. I wouldn’t take this relationship for granted and was determined not to screw it up.
But now that he’d mentioned the sprites, I couldn’t help but be cautious. After all, I’d promised to leave work behind me for the week. Running into Bryan was another jolt about what could happen if I broke that promise and focused on work above our relationship. Bryan sought affection elsewhere. If Lucas did the same, I couldn’t bear it. I didn’t want to lose him.
I exhaled and ran my hands over the napkin on my lap. The sprites didn’t do anything other than give Lucas a small bump on the nose. All I knew about sprites was that they had a reputation for being fond of mischief. That could be speculation, which was often tossed about for supernaturals. A species was rarely all good or bad in the way that they were cast. When it came to elves, we weren’t all the same. We had a wide variety of temperaments, just like humans. Gianna wasn’t like the terrible sirens who’d come to Salem. I’d even heard of decent demons, not that I’d met any.
Then again, the sprites were far from us, and we were increasing the distance every minute.
“Zoe?” Lucas stared at me from questioning blue eyes.
“What?”
“I asked if you wanted to go to a comedy show tonight.”
I shook my head. “Oh. Sorry. Yes.”
He slanted his gaze. “Everything okay?”
“I was lost in my thoughts for a minute.” I smiled. “Comedy sounds like a perfect way to end the night.”
He motioned to my leg. “Besides, it will help you stay off your feet.”
What was I doing? I had to snap out of my head and focus on who I was with. Lucas wasn’t worrying about sprites, and he was the one who’d ran into them. I should follow his lead and not worry about something that wasn’t an issue.
“Good idea.” My ankle was much better but still a bit sore. I took a sip of my wine.
I had shaken off my qualms about Bryan and sprites by the time we’d finished dessert and headed to a stand-up comedy show. Lucas guffawed at the jokes with infectious laughter, which made the show all the more enjoyable.
After the show, Lucas slung his arm around me. “That was great. How’s the leg?”
“Good as new. I don’t feel a thing.”
“Laughter is the best medicine,” Lucas pointed out with a knowing grin. “Want to head into one of the clubs for a drink?”
