I stuff my feet into my Uggs and grab my pink terrycloth robe up off the floor. I know my eyes are probably swollen, but I don’t think I’ve ever cared less about how I looked.
I unlock my door, and Potter comes whizzing in, no introduction needed. The little guy puts a smile on my face as he zooms into every corner and sniffs for a few seconds only to sprint to the next one and the next.
I turn to Dean, who looks absolutely amazing in a plain white shirt and a peacoat for the colder weather. Late November isn’t notorious for having snowfall, but it’s been known to happen. His long hair is curling behind his ears and his green eyes are bright and concerned.
“Do I need a hazmat suit, or can I come in and put this down?”
I give him a mouth-corner lift and back into my apartment, opening the door wider for him to come inside.
“I’ll get out of your hair, just let me take everything out of this bag and you can start scoffing as soon as I leave. Potter! Get off the couch, you heathen!” Dean barks, and I whirl around to see Potter, nose glued to the leather of the sofa walking from armrest to armrest. My couch is lower than Dean’s so Potter’s probably flying high on confidence right now.
“You can stay, if you want Dean. I won’t be able to eat all that.”
“Leftovers, kitten. Leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch or supper. I just gave you a free meal. No cooking required from your end, and I get to know that my culinary skills are being appreciated.”
“Dean…” I say, but stop because I don’t have any other words to put after his name. He’s so sweet and kind. What is he doing here with me?
“Katarina… You know, for next Halloween, since I was working this year, you should dress up as Katarina from The Sleepy Hollow. I could be Ichabod Crane. Downside, only about one in ten people will get it and that one person is Sera.”
I make a hurt sound at the mention of Sera’s name and Dean looks up sharply, eyes narrowing like my tears are a personal offense.
“I’m sorry. Let me just go get changed. I’ll be right back. Make yourself at home.”
Dean clears his throat, and runs his hands through his hair. “You look good. Ah, I mean, just go sit down and I’ll get the plates. Christ, a guy tries to do something nice…”
I settle myself on my couch where Potter crawls into my lap. Dean comes with food on plates and cutlery rolled in napkins not long after. I feel a bit weirded out that he now knows his way around my kitchen, but shrug it off.
“Dean, why are you here?”
“It’s Thursday night hang out. And I thought it would be better over here instead of dog central at my place. Besides, Max is over there with his girlfriend and they’re having a long reunion , if you know what I mean.” He waggles his eyebrows and sets to eating his won-ton soup. Who makes won-ton soup from scratch for fun?
“Eat up, kitten. It’ll make you feel better, I promise.”
A spark of an idea. Ludicrous and he’d never do it, but I’m so desperate right now for someone to want me, even if it’s pretend, that I’ll try anything right now.
“Can you do me a favour?” I ask, setting my food down on my coffee table. Dean was even considerate enough to bring placemats so the wood wouldn’t be torched. Damn it, he’s going to make some girl incredibly lucky one day. I’m going to have to pine from afar.
“Depends on what you have in mind. I can’t grant you any more wishes than three, and I can’t kill anyone or make them fall in love.” He’s quoting the genie.
I lick my lips, trying to ignore the nerves. All he can do is say no, but I might die of embarrassment if he does. Yup, just wither away from it.
“I want you to kiss me like you’re in love with me.”
Chapter 23
“No.”
My shoulders hunch forward, trying to protect the gaping, bleeding wound in my chest. I don’t know why I keep telling him what to do, I shouldn’t have to do that.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I asked that.”
Liar. You want to feel better and you’re using Dean as a tool, again, to get what you want.
“Yeah, you do. Give me a chance to want to kiss you and work up the nerve to actually do it, kitten,” Dean says, putting a palm to my face even after all the shit I’ve pulled. “Call me crazy, but there could be something here, and I don’t want to force it, and you’re too raw right now to need me in that way.”
What the what?
“Dean, you know I don’t believe in relationships. They don’t work.”
He shrugs, like what I just told him is nothing more than a minor hurdle he has to overcome rather than the freaking Himalayas.