“So, what about you? Why did you buy a studio and run for deputy mayor?”
“That’s two questions, but I’ll answer them anyway.” Azazel took a sip of his drink, enjoying the sweet taste of the dark liquid. “Take my advice and never do impulsive things with a broken heart. But I don’t regret it. Buying the studio benefits me. I get to bring my brand of magic into people’s homes. And just like you, I want to touch their hearts and minds.”
“Ah, I see. And becoming deputy mayor?”
“The mayor and I have been friends for decades, and when he said he wanted to run for mayor and asked me to be his running mate, I agreed.”
“Just like that?”
“Yup.”
“Are you always this agreeable?”
Azazel smiled. “No.”
They were silent for a couple of minutes, drinking and staring at each other, and the small specks of gray in Blue’s eyes seemed to sparkle in the candlelight. Azazel got the feeling that few would notice such a minor detail and took pleasure in knowing that he could pick it out.
“Have you gotten over your broken heart?” Blue asked, surprising him.
“No,” Azazel answered. “I don’t think I will ever get over him. Want to know a secret?”
“Sure,” Blue answered.
“Other than my friend asking me to be his running mate, I came here to find my lover. I know he’s here, I can feel it.” Azazel smiled. “I had this vision that we’d get back together and be a family, because we have a son together, but I have to give up on that hope. I think he’s with someone.”
“You have a kid?” Azazel watched the man’s eyes slowly move up and down, seeming to approve with what he saw.
Azazel leaned closer to Blue, looking him in the eyes. “He’s not a kid, but a man in his thirties. He’s the deputy mayor of Vale Valley.” Azazel saw the surprise in the other man’s eyes. “You seem surprised.”
Blue licked his lips. “I am. Nothing I read about you said you have kids.” Blue moved his face closer to him. “So should I call you Zaddy?”
Azazel chuckled, knowing what that meant. “I like the sound of that.”
Their faces were so close that Azazel could smell Blue's cologne mixed with his sweet and enticing aroma. It made him want to lean closer and lick Blue’s heart-shaped lips. He watched as Blue’s eyes trailed down to his mouth, causing him to moisten his lips. Azazel felt a comfortable and quite seductive familiarity growing between them.
“How long have you been nursing a broken heart?”
The question was said so softly that if Azazel didn’t have perfect hearing, he might not have heard it.
“Over thirty years,” Azazel answered, and Blue instantly leaned back, and the seductive mood that was forming between them was easily broken.
“You’ve been in love with the same man for thirty years,” Blue said in shock. “Then why aren’t you two together?”
Azazel leaned back, sighing. “Can we not talk about it? I’d rather not talk about him right now. I didn’t intend to go down this road with you. My plan was to get to know you.”
Blue stared at him for some time then stood. “I think I…”
“Let’s go for a drive,” Azazel interrupted him. Although the mood between them was broken, Azazel wasn’t ready to let the night end.
“Okay,” Blue said after a few seconds.
* * *
Thirty years!
Uriel mentally scoffed, thinking about their conversation over drinks.Who is he kidding with that bullshit? If he was so in love with me, then why did he cheat on me?
Uriel’s stomach was in knots. He couldn’t figure out if Azazel had figured out who he was and was trying to trip him up or if he was telling the truth. Uriel didn’t know what to think and couldn’t figure out why he was sitting in the car going for a pleasurable drive with Azazel up to the Valleywood sign.
