My mind betrayed me and went straight to the pits of hell, spiraling toward the dark angel ruling its depths.
I’d worked hard to keep Luci from my thoughts since that night. Joe obliterated all efforts with a single question. He’d given me one hell of a night, but it wasn’t the time spent in his bed I’d never forget.
“Enjoy your humble morning as nothing more than a fleeting memory in time.”
Lucifer’s voice wrapped around my senses like a songbird in mourning, the sound leaving an ache where my soul used to be.
How was it possible to yearn for someone you hated down to your marrow?
That naggy little voice in my shriveled heart whispered,“Do you hate him, Dany..?”
“Dany? Hello?”
I hadn’t noticed that we’d stopped walking. Joe’s face appeared across my vision, once again pulling me away from Lucifer.
“I’m sorry,” I said with a slight shake of my head. “What was the question?”
For the first time since I’d known him, Joe looked agitated. The muscles in his jaw jumped, and his eyes darted away before he answered, “Nothing. Let’s just go.”
“I’m sorry Joe. I’m a little off tonight–“
“Yeah, I’d say so,” he threw back. “Do you know how that felt, Dany?”
“I– I didn’t mean to–“
Joe spun back around to face me, and we were nose to nose within the span of a breath.
“Didn’t mean to what?” His fists clenched at his sides as every warning bell pitched inside my brain. “Leave me high and dry after a night I thought was special?”
“Joe,” I tried again. “Itwasspecial. It’s just, I just don’t…” I scrambled for words, anything that would place the blame on my shoulders rather than his. “I’m not the kind of girl you–”
“Just forget it.” Joe turned around again, trying to hide the silver lining his eyes. He hadn’t been quick enough, though, and the sight of his tears threatening to spill melted me into a puddle of guilt and defeat.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “You deserved more than that. Shit.” The huff of laughter that followed my words was tinged with self-depreciation and for the first time in over a decade, I let a sliver of true emotion show. “You deserve more, period. I’m not good, Batman. You should run while you’ve still got the chance.”
He didn’t speak for a long time and, when he did, it wasn’t what I expected.
Joe shuffled around in his pants pocket, producing a leather wallet and from it, a twenty dollar bill.
“Take this. I need some space, but I’d still like to pay for your dinner.”
I tried to protest. He wasn’t having any of it. Joe slipped the bill into the pocket of my sweatpants, planted a slow, tender kiss on my cheek, and squeezed my hand before walking away.
He didn’t say anything, rather left me standing in stunned silence. I watchedhim walk away.
My phone buzzed in my pocket followed by the chorus of Purple Rain by Prince. I watched Joe walk away for another second before shaking it off and looking at the screen. I didn't remember setting that song as a ringtone–
The screen still glowed and everything in the fucking universe stopped.
One missed call.
Luci.
The phone buzzed again, this time with a text message.
Hello, dearest Dany.
Against my best wishes, I’ve followed your advice and secured a telephone. You’ll find that I’ve personalized my ringtone, the way you seem to like it. I was unkind when last we met. Allow me to make amends this evening. The mortals are gearing up to celebrate the namesake of your cat’s fake birth. Perhaps we should decorate.
