I cackled to myself.
The banquet hall bustled with excitement. This time it wasn't just a small rehearsal dinner—this was the real deal. Miguel's entire extended family was here, chatting and laughing and filling the hall with an air of infectious merriment. It reminded me of why I loved humans so much, and why I was so glad to have one as my fated mate. No matter what hardships they went through, they always bounced back. They always found a way to celebrate something. So sweet.
"Heads up," Miguel muttered, nudging me with his elbow. "It's not holy water you've gotta worry about. It's Aunt Missy."
"MIGUEL!"
The woman I assumed was Aunt Missy barrelled past the crowd and crushed Miguel in a bone-shattering hug. I tried to stifle my amusement as she pawed over him like an overeager child with a new doll.
"Hi, Aunt Missy," Miguel squeaked. Then, in what I assumed was a desperate attempt to get her attention onto someone else, he asked, "Have you met my boyfriend?"
Aunt Missy dropped him with a dramatic gasp. "No. You're not talking aboutthisutterly gorgeous Greek god of a man, are you? You're lying, Miguel. You're literally lying to my face right now. I know your mother didn't raise you this way."
He coughed, trying to regain his breath. "No, Aunt Missy, it's true. This is Daemen, my boyfriend.DoctorDaemen."
I offered my hand. I was happy to soak up the attention while protecting Miguel's delicate lungs. After all, this was what I'd agreed to when I offered to be Miguel's "fake" boyfriend.
"Pleasure to meet you," I said, putting on my best smile.
Aunt Missy shrieked like she was being killed, but it was obviously a happy sound. She shook my hand with fervor.
"A doctor! My little Miguel is finally dating someone, and better yet, he's dating adoctor!I knew that psychic was wrong! What a waste of money. Hang on, love, I'm going to call her right now and complain. Oh, you two are gorgeous together, look at you."
Aunt Missy continued her mix of complimenting us and complaining about her psychic as she wandered off, phone in hand. Miguel let out a sigh of relief when she was gone.
"One down, a million other relatives to go," he said.
My brows shot up. "There's more?"
Miguel shot me a smugI-told-you-solook. "You didn't believe me when I said my family was crazy, did you?"
"I thought you were exaggerating a bit," I teased, then kissed him. "Don't you worry about me. Demonsthriveon attention."
Miguel smirked. "Good. Because here comes another one."
The next pair, Aunt Susan and Uncle Tommy, descended upon us with drinks in hand.
"Miguel, I'm surprised to see you here, considering how much you hate attention!" Aunt Susan crowed. Her teasing was a mix of playfulness and impatience. "When are you having your own wedding, eh? But you need a partner for that first!" She barked a laugh.
Miguel shot me a weary glance from the corner of his eye. I felt a stab of sympathy for him, knowing he'd likely dealt with this kind of remark for at least the past decade. Now I understood why he'd sought out a fake boyfriend so desperately.
Good thing he didn't need to fake it anymore.
"Now who’s this fellow?" Uncle Tommy asked, nodding at me. Aunt Susan whipped around as if noticing me for the first time. Apparently, she'd been too laser focused on shaming Miguel that she hadn't seen me.
"Good question," Aunt Susan said, raising a brow and whistling. "Someone brought a hot date!"
Miguel let out a small, embarrassed groan, but I didn't mind being objectified. Demons are vain.
"Yes, someone did," I said, putting my arm around Miguel and pulling him against me. "And would you look at that? He's standing right here."
Aunt Susan gawked. For a moment she was at a loss for words. Then she blurted out, "No way! I don't believe it. Our little Miguel finally has adate?You're pulling my leg!"
"Not just a date," I told her. "We're boyfriends. And as soon as he says the word, I'm ready to put a ring on his finger."
Everyone's jaw dropped—including Miguel.
"Daemen," he murmured, staring up at me with wide, wet eyes. "Are you serious?"
