Who simply laughed. “I’m a demon, not the Devil. My currency isn’t souls. I am known to trade favours for pie, though, so if it’s as good as you say it is, how ’bout I get us both a slice?”
Curious as to what favours he’d trade, Drew managed to nod. “Sure, um, thanks.”
“What would you suggest? Cherry? Blueberry?”
He shook his head. “Nope, it’s the banana cream pie for the win here.”
Zach did his sexy eyebrow thingagain, and Drew was starting to wonder if his eyebrows had a mind of their own. “Bold choice, Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off.”
That sent Drew spluttering but he couldn’t find the words.
Zach laughed. A deep, rumbling sort of laugh that caused Drew’s stomach to flutter. “Your face is so cute when it’s shocked,” he said. “After all you’ve learned about me tonight, are you still surprised I know movie references?”
“I haven’t learnedthatmuch about you,” Drew protested.
“But you’ve learned enough to know that my pop-culture knowledge shouldn’t shock you.” Zach’s eyes seemed to twinkle as he regarded Drew.“Ihowever am shocked thatyougot the reference. How old were you whenDodgeballwas released?”
“That’s not the point!” Drew protested, not wanting to admit the movie was actually older than he was and draw even more attention to his youth.
“I really think it is,” Zach said, laughing again. He flagged down the waitress once more and ordered two slices of the pie, and she topped up his coffee while she was there. “So, you’re at university, yes?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Drew replied, nodding. “Vancouver Island University.”
“What are you studying?”
“Masters of Business Administration.”
Zach nodded as if he found this acceptable. “But no electives in witchcraft?”
“Strangely enough, VIU doesn’t offer those,” Drew drawled.
“And here I thought universities these days had standards,” Zach said with mock disappointment.
“I’m so sorry to be the bearer of such terrible news.”
Zach waved a hand magnanimously. “I won’t hold it personally against you.”
“You’re too kind,” Drew said.
“I’m really not,” Zach replied with a wink. If Drew tried to wink at someone he either looked like a creep or like he had bad allergies, but as with everything else, Zach just looked suave and sexy doing it.
“So, do I really um . . . really need a . . . aspellto send you home?” Drew asked, suddenly serious. He toyed with his napkin, scrunching the corners up rhythmically.
“Yeah, you do,” Zach said, and his mirth had dispersed as well. “And I was being honest when I said that I don’t know what it is.”
“Are you going to be mad if you’re stuck here for a while? I mean, I’m sure it’s uh, disrupted your day-to-day life just a bit.”
Zach smiled at him and his heart lifted. “Trust me, kid, I’m happy to be here. Sure, it was a bit of a shock when you summoned me, which is why I was a little angry, but it’ll be nice to be here on Earth for a while.”
He sighed in relief. “Oh, good.”
“Were you worried I’d be mad and would go on a rampage, torturing those closest to you and holding them hostage untilyou sent me back?”
He blushedagain. “Erm . . . maybe?”
This sent Zach into a series of bellowing laughs that drew the attention of the handful of other customers in the diner. “Oh, that’s just precious,” he stuttered between laughs. “I didn’t think I was that menacing!”
Drew’s eyes narrowed—he didn’t like being laughed at. “You’re ademon,”he hissed. “I’m sure you’re good at acting all nice and friendly, but I don’t think it’s beyond the realms of possibility that you can do some really fucked-up things!”
