Page 62 of Galen

Simon

“Holy shit, you’re actually alive,” Kyo said first thing Tuesday morning. “Did you have a nice vacation?”

I thought of the week at the mansion. Even though I’d been freaked the hell out for the first few days, the atmosphere and time away from everything had been relaxing.

“Yeah.” I flipped the sign outside the shop door toOpen.“It’s good to be back though.”

“Ah, did you miss me?” Kyo tossed me a smirk.

“Not even a little bit.”

“Uh-huh.” He sipped the iced latte he’d brought, then set it down when the phone rang. He answered it, “Timeless Antiques & Curiosities.” A pause. “Hmm. Let me check.” He typed something into the computer. “Yep. We have two vintage sewing machines. One is said to have a spirit attached to it if you’re into that kind of stuff…”

As he helped the customer over the phone, I walked toward the back room where Galen waited. I’d told him to stay out of sight for now. Kyo was going to have a million questions when he noticed Galen hanging around the shop, and I wasn’t sure what to tell him yet. So for the time being, Galen was banished to the break room.

“This is ridiculous,” Galen said, arms crossed over his wide chest. “Just tell him I’m your boyfriend.”

“My boyfriend?” The word made my stomach flutter, even though I knew it was only for show. I was nothing but acomplicationto him anyway. He only stayed by my side because he felt guilty for the shades nearly killing me.

“Would you rather tell him I’m a demon-fighting Nephilim charged with protecting you?”

I hesitated. “No.”

“Why did you hesitate?”

“I didn’t.”

“Yes, you did.”

“Fine. I was just thinking that the demon-fighting thing is something Kyo would believe way faster than you being my boyfriend.”

Galen rolled his eyes. “If it stresses you out this much, I can stay in your loft where he won’t notice me.”

“No.” I heaved a sigh. “You don’t have to do that.”

“Then it’s settled. I’m your boyfriend.” He tried to step around me, and I stepped in his way. “Simon, I swear to god.”

“Everything okay back there?” Kyo asked.

“Yep!” I called back. “Just talking to myself.”

“Oh, so a typical Tuesday. Got it.”

Galen smirked at that, and I swatted at his chest. He gripped my wrist and lifted my hand to his mouth, brushing his lips across my knuckles. In moments like that, I could almost believe he really cared about me. But then I remembered what he said about only wanting sex. He didn’t do anything more.

A few nights ago, I’d told him that he made me feel special. And he did. Which was why I dreaded the moment he walked away from me for good. My heart might not survive it.

“Follow my lead,” Galen said, smirking as he stepped out into the hall. His gray eyes didn’t leave my face as he took a step toward the back door. “Wait for me by the counter.”

“Galen!” I said in a harsh whisper.

He quietly snuck out the door, that smirk still in place. What the hell was he doing? His playful attitude gave me butterflies though. I was used to grumpy and brooding Galen. Not whatever this was.

Confused, I walked back to the front counter and grabbed the extra iced coffee Kyo had brought for me. I barely tasted it as I took a drink. My mind was elsewhere.

“A customer’s coming in later to buy the circus sewing machine,” Kyo said as he scrolled through his phone. “I told them about the alleged haunting attached to it, and they wanted it even more.”

“That’s nice.” I took another drink, watching as people passed by on the sidewalk.