Déjà’s phone vibrated on the coffee table. She picked it up and pressed it to her generous bosom, then blew out a slow breath and looked at the screen. Her face contorted, eyes filling with tears, and Cosmo hoped Micah didn’t make another satanic cult joke because it wasn’t going to be funny this time around.
Her breath ratcheted, and she snatched a tissue from the box.
Cosmo sighed. She’d been there for him so many times when it had been him furiously pressing tissues to his face, but seeing her in pain hurt almost as much.
He started to pull her close, but she said, “Rye says they’re a mess without me. That they think about me every day.”
“Aww!” Happy tears, then. That was so much better. When Cosmo had met Micah at the soda shop after their argument, he wasn’t sure if their relationship still had a chance. Micah had said as much on the phone. But he’d fidgeted and blushed and had looked like he’d melt sooner than the milkshakes, so Cosmo was grateful he’d been overt in trying to get Micah back. It didn’t seem like Déjà would need to do much to repair things either.
She scrolled up on her phone’s screen, then snorted and dabbed her eyes. “Rye says they desperately wish I’d been around to tell them not to make the punch red at the party because Kevin just spilled it all over the carpet.”
Cosmo headed into the kitchen and rummaged through the fridge. He handed Déjà a can of club soda. “This might help. Now go. Get your beloved back. Micah and I will be just fine here alone. Won’t we?”
Micah nodded, but he pressed his hand beneath the coffee table where he’d taped his knife. Was he still not convinced Zedd was gone for good?
Déjà flicked her hair over her shoulder, pushed up her cleavage, then headed for the door. “Wish me luck.”
“I don’t think you need it, but good luck, darling.”
“Let me walk you to your car,” Micah said.
She frowned, her hand on the doorknob. “It’s only twenty feet away.”
“And you can’t run from Jason Voorhees in stilettos.”
Maybe Cosmo needed to change the TV to something more wholesome. “Those are wedge heels, Micah.”
“Oh. My mistake. You’re fine, then.” He opened the door and ushered Déjà out. “But just in case.”
Cosmo went back to finish dinner – he hadn’t even chopped the shallots yet – and eyed Zedd’s note on the counter. Micah was being paranoid, and Cosmo wouldn’t hold it against the poor love since he had history with being attacked in his home, but every second Micah was outside was dialing up Cosmo’s doubt. He needed to convince Micah everything was fine otherwise they’dbothbe reaching for that knife under the coffee table.
21
MY HEART GOES BANG (GET ME TO THE DOCTOR)
Micah - Snagged Thread
The night air smelled heavily of damp leaves and pot as Déjà climbed into her car. It was too dark out here, the silence so thick Micah was aware of his breathing and heartbeat. He glanced back at the warm glow coming from behind Cosmo’s curtains, which looked like an invitation to be singled out among all the other darkened windows. Zedd had conceded, but it felt like a trick. Something was wrong with this situation, and it was frustrating that Micah couldn’t figure out what it was.
He startled as Déjà turned on her car. She rolled down the window and leaned her elbow on the sill. “Thanks, white knight, but I don’t think we’re going to have to run from Jason or Pinhead tonight.”
“Who said I wanted to run from Pinhead? He’s kinda hot.”
“It’s the leather, huh?” She flipped down the sun visor and stared into the mirror, applying a fresh coat of red-hot lipstick.
“Everyone looks good in leather. Suits. Lingerie.”
“Gonna disagree simply because I don’t want to see Pinhead in a babydoll and heels, but Cosmo has all kinds of outfits that I’m sure he’d wear for you if you were interested.”
Oh, now that was an image. He realized Déjà was saying his name. “Sorry. I went somewhere for a moment.”
“Clearly.” She grinned. “You’re good for each other. He makes you want to live again.”
The statement took Micah aback. His eyes watered, a sudden lump in his throat. “What? Why would you presume–”
“I’m not presuming. And I don’t mean that love has magically cured your mental health. That’s would cheapen what you’ve struggled with. I’m sure it’s been a hard road to recovery. But Cosmo is motivating you. All that murky red and black in your magnetic field is being drowned out with ribbons of bright green and orange. And Cosmo’s magenta aura is the supernova it’s always been.”
Micah glanced at Cosmo’s apartment. “What does magenta mean?”
