“I do not require a prize,” I say as the echo of clapping fills the air.
“It’s part of the fun, Amazra. Just stick your hand in and pull out a paper. If you get the Just Baked gift certificate you donated, toss it back in and pull again.” Holding a decorated bag open, she uses head gestures to encourage my participation.
Denying her this simple joy would truly make me a monster. Holding her gaze, I insert my hand in the bag. There is no physical contact between us, yet my hellfire core flares as visions of sliding my fingers insideherflash through my mind. Everyday, every moment, my desire grows. It is torment. Yet I do not want it to end.
“What did you get?” Dauphine calls from her seat at the table.
Forcing my attention from Lilah, I unfold the crisp paper and read its contents aloud. “Dinner for two at Charming Bites.”
Many of the attendees applaud. Others verbally express their appreciation of the prize, and some, their envy. Charming Bites is a small restaurant that I have often heard my customers refer to as intimate and romantic.
Nodding, I descend the steps and return to the table.
“Awesome prize,” Lexi says as I resume my seat. Her black eyebrows wiggle above shining green eyes. “Make the most of it.”
I wait for Lilah to begin calling numbers before turning my full attention to the witch. “You used magic to manipulate the prize.” It is not a question.
Nor does she take it as one. “You’re welcome.”
“I did not request this. I would not.”
“Consider it a gift.” Leaning back, she subtly motions toward the other females at the table. “From all of us.”
“I do not understand.”
“Men. So thick in the head,” Lexi says, letting her head fall back, then tilting it to squint at me. “Demons especially.”
“It is how we were created. Solid.”
Beside the witch, Dauphine lowers her head, cradling it in both palms.
Next to her, Holly leans forward enough to draw my attention. “Just escort Lilah home after bingo ends, okay? She thinks I’m going to walk with her, but I’m going to bail so that you can step in. Then, before you say goodnight, I know she would love the prize that you won. She’ll be so happy, trust me.”
“I don’t think he gets it,” Lexi says, when I do not respond to the fox shifter. “Do you get it?” She continues staring at my motionless face. “The plan? The endgame?”
“Escort Lilah home. Bring her happiness with the prize I did not win fairly.”
Lexi nods, picks up her dabbing tool, then turns her attention to Lilah and the game, as do the other females. They are satisfied with my answer and comprehension of their plan. Though why they would believe it necessary to magically manipulate the circumstances of a game, rather than simply gift Lilah with a free meal or request I escort her home, I do not know.
LILAH
During the short intermission halfway through the inaugural bingo night, my friends did a switcheroo at their table. Amazra didn’t change seats. He didn’t even get up from his chair while everyone else stretched their legs and did a bit of socializing. No big surprise there, since his physiology doesn’t require any of the maintenance that mortal bodies do, and he’s not inclined to socialize with anyone but me. And that’s only because I’ve inserted myself into his life.
It’s honestly surprising he stuck around tonight. The intermission would’ve been an easy opportunity for him to duck out, either so he could go back to the bakery, where he puts in a lot of after-hours work, or simply to escape the onslaught of face time he’s had to endure, especially from Lexi.
Lexi is smart, quick-witted, outrageous, and hilarious, but also genuine and kind. I adore her and I’m so happy I get to call her a friend. However, I can see how her exuberance might beoverwhelming for a serious, solitary hell demon with more-basic emotions and minimal social experience.
So, I wasn’t surprised when my group of wonderful new friends changed their seating order after the break. For Amazra’s sake, because they’re all equally kind and they know this is a whole new environment for him. Though I would’ve expected Lexi to swap places with Dauphine, not Holly.
That was my thought process until a few minutes ago, when Holly won the second-to-last game of the evening. After pulling her prize from the draw bag, she instructed me to take a seat instead of calling the next game. She even asked the small crowd assembled if they agreed that I should get toplaythe last round, since I’d organized such a fun event for the town to enjoy.
The answer was a resounding yes, of course. Everyone here is so nice. So inclusive.
Maybe giving me an opportunity to play bingo was part of Holly’s reasoning. But only part.
In the short time I’ve known her, Holly has become the best best friend I’ve ever had. After the setup at the salmonberry patch, I’m without-a-doubt positive she sent me to the table so I could sit next to Amazra. Even if it was just for one game.
The same as every other time I’ve been near him, there’s no contact. Zero. After standing aside so I could wiggle through to Holly’s seat, he even shifted his chair farther away, closer to the outside aisle.
