You
—The Present—
“So let me get this straight,” Mysterious Hot Book Guy says. He leans in the bathroom doorway, hands braced on the top of the frame as you finish your makeup. It’s nearly time for your date, and you’ve finally told him what’s happening. “You’re going to get in a car with some random man you’ve never met.”
“Yep.”
“And this is what ladies do for fun these days.”
“Sometimes.”
“Andwhyexactly can’t I come with you?”
“Because.” You zip your makeup bag shut, turning toward him. “You don’t take another man with you on a date.”
“You do if it’s dangerous. And if said other man is bound by magic to protect you, even if youarean annoying human.”
“Thanks.”
“Hey, all humans are annoying. It’s nothing personal.”
“Sure,” you say, ducking under his arm and out into the rest of your tiny apartment. Then you stop, turning back. “Wait. How do you know what a car is, anyway? I thought you’ve been magically locked away since the 1800s.”
Hot Book Guy shrugs, leaning back against the wall beside the kitchen.
“I just do. Words come to me. For instance—” he thumbs behind him. “That there’s a fridge. And I know that thing is a microwave.”
“Wow. Okay, that’s actually a pretty cool skill to have. What else can you do?”
He smirks, taking a step toward you. “Lotsof things, little human.”
Before he can get closer, your phone buzzes.
Normally it’s on silent, but you set it to vibrate so you wouldn’t miss your date’s text when he arrives.
“He’s early,” you mutter as you check your notifications. Fortunately, you’re almost ready. “Okay,” you say to Mysterious Hot Guy, whose name you really ought to get sometime soon. “You be good while I’m gone. Try not to eat me out of house and home. And whatever you do,don’tleave the apartment.”
Hot Guy just grunts, folding his arms. Hopefully that was a grunt of agreement.
You leave your phone on the kitchen table beside your purse as you head to the bathroom for a last look in the mirror before you go.
You’ve got your hair done up and you’re wearing a little black dress and matching black heels that make your legs look fabulous—if you do say so yourself.
You’ve spent a long time getting ready for this date.
Hopefully this guy is worth it.
And though you don’t want to admit it, a part of you is excited just to show off in front of Hot Book Guy. Because heishot. Even if he’s also annoying.
But when you emerge from the bathroom, the apartment is empty.
He’s gone.
Mysterious Hot Book Dude is gone.
“What the heck…” you mutter, peering into the kitchen.Empty.
You even check inside the closet, in case he’s planning to jump out at you.
