I walked into the café, dressed in a black skirt and a heather-grey long-sleeved shirt.
My long fingers were clustered in thrift shop jewelry and there was chipped black paint on my short nails.
Tucking my long, unruly black hair behind an ear, I paused and scanned the tables for a familiar face.
My hair was getting long. Too damn long. It was down to my waist, stark black and a mess in tangled curls.
“My darling,” An arm slipped in mine, interlinking. “-this way.”
I glanced over at Reaver, holding back a grimace. “Ugh. You.” I mumbled, glancing back away as he guided us through the restaurant.
“Yes, me. Your fiancé. Or have you forgotten our arrangement?”
I wish.
“No.” I muttered in response.
“Good.” He patted my arm, letting go as we came to a table where my mom was seated, and he pulled out my chair for me.
I sat down and he tucked me in, settling in the chair beside me.
Mom smiled over at us. “Hello. How are you two doing this morning? Looking as lively as ever.”
“Lively, mom?” I questioned. “-come on, I’m half dead on my feet, and I feel it too.”
She tsked me. “I was just trying to pay you a compliment.”
She turned her attention to Reaver. “You look dashing.”
“Why thank you. As do you, Mrs. Hart.”
“Oh, just call me mom. We’re almost family!” She smiled brightly.
I suppressed the urge to gag.
My eyes sidled over to Reaver who was grinning and I narrowed my gaze into a glare before looking away.
He was wearing some obnoxious blue suede suit that made me wanna slap him.
His hair had grown out nearly to chin-length, dark and sleek as it fell around his square jaw.
“Are we ordering? I’m starving.” I said absentmindedly.
“Yes, dear. They’re bringing out coffee.” Mom responded.
“Coffee? No food? What about…the food?”
“If you want food then get food, Arabelle.”
I pursed my lips, snatching up the menu and studying it.
Mom spoke again, about a different subject this time. “So, are we all set on the date?”
“I’m set.” Reaver answered.
“Do they have nachos?” I uttered, glancing over the items.
“Doubtful.” Reaver answered me. “The date though, love? Are we decided?”
“Uh,” I glanced up from the menu. “…Um.” My eyes shifted between their expecting gazes. “…Yeah?”
Only a month until the wedding. Kill me now.
“Do you have a problem with it?” Mom inquired. “We can change it.”
“No. No. It’s great. It’s super duper great.” I looked back down at the menu.
They went on discussing wedding things and I started to tune it out, trying to decide on what to get to eat.
Our coffee came, and the waiter that was carrying it.
“Can I get you all anything else?” He asked politely.
“Uh,” I spoke up, slowly setting the menu down. “Can I get the club sandwich?”
He nodded. “Certainly. And are fries okay with that?”
“Yes.” I handed him the menu.
“I’ll have a cranberry scone.” Mom said, handing him hers.
He glanced over at Reaver.
“Could I get tea? Black?” Reaver inquired.
“English folk.” I rolled my eyes.
“We have Earl Grey.” The waiter offered.
“That’s perfect. Thank you.” Reaver gave him a kind smile, giving him the last menu.
What an asshole being all fake nice and stuff.
Lameass.
Our server left us and I sighed, anxiously awaiting my order.
“Arabelle,” Mom said, looking at her phone. “It’s only nine thirty. You don’t want a muffin or something instead?”
“Mom, I’m starving. Literally. Starvation.”
She gave me a look. “Melodramatic.”
I crossed my arms. “Whatever.”
“Now,” She set down her cell phone. “-let’s discuss the guest list…”
And then I started to stare off into space.
7 minutes later*
“Where’s my fooooood?” I whined, resting my head on the table.
“Arabelle, for the love of god.” Mom sighed. “-stop whining. You’re eighteen years old.”
“I am?”
“Yes, you are.”
“Oh, right. So that means I can’t whine about being hungry?”
“I would advise against it. It gets to be annoying.”
I exhaled heavily, blowing the stray curls from my eyes.
“Sit up straight, you’re a lady.”
“I am?” I tried to glance over at her.
I imagined the annoyed look on her face.
“Yes.”
“Oh…right.” I sat up, a vale of black hair falling messily around my face.
I saw our waiter coming with a platter and I got excited, my eyes lighting up.
“Here you are; the club.” He set the plate down in front of me.
“Thank you.” I said delightfully, digging in.
Mom got her scone and Reaver got his damn tea.
Losers.
I sat there scarfing down food while they planned out details.
Like they needed me? C’mon. I’m not really all that much help.
Sometimes I’d have to nod, and I would, but other than that I was free to eat and chug down coffee.
I ate the whole basket of fancy French bread they brought with an olive oil dipping sauce. And coffee.
That was tasty.
And then I had tiramisu for dessert. And more coffee.
Then I just had some more coffee.
By the time I walked out with Reaver I was stuffed full of yummy food and many lattes.
We departed from my mom, waving as she rode off in her car.
My smile dropped when she was out of sight and I looked over at Reaver, who had his arm wrapped around my waist.
“You can let go of me now. She’s gone.”
“Can I? What if I don’t want to?” He pulled me tight up against him.
“Ew.” I pushed away from him. “Demon cooties.”
“You are very immature for you age, you know that?”
“I’m only eighteen! You’re…too mature- or something.”
“Or maybe I just seem that way when compared to you.” He claimed.
“Shut up.” I broke out of his grasp, walking down the sidewalk.
“One moment, dear. I have something for you.”
I paused, turning around to look at him.
“Whatever it is I don’t want it so you can take it and shove up it your-”
He interrupted my scathing remark with his own. “-It’s a necessary detail.”
“…What is it?”
He stepped up to me, holding up a little black box.
Oh god. Not this again.
I felt my stomach turn.
He opened the lid, revealing a large diamond set in a rustic silver claw band.
“I don’t want it.” I stated.
“You have to.”
“I don’t.”
“We have an agreement. If you stray from the terms…heaven knows what I might do. Perhaps tie you up and make you watch as I slowly torture your vampire pet?”
I gritted my teeth. “Fine. Give it to me, you asshat.”
He took out the ring from its cozy box and slid it onto my finger.
This is so not cool.
“It looks beautiful on you.” He smiled.
“I’m gonna vomit.”
He snapped the box shut. “I hope your attitude improves by the wedding. I wouldn’t want something to happen.”
I glared at him.
“Shall I accompany you home?”
“You shall not.” I retorted.
“Very well. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Aw, no. You’re coming home tonight?” I pouted.
“Will you shut up?”
“Fine.” I crossed my arms, ignoring the stupid ring.
“I will see you later on for dinner.”
“Fine.” I repeated.
He leaned in, giving me a kiss on the cheek.
I pursed my lips, keeping my expression blank.
He eyed me for a moment. “Goodbye, my love.”
“Yeah, bye.” I muttered.
He tilted his head, giving me a look.
I sighed. “Goodbye, Reaver, my beloved.”
“Better.” He smiled.
He patted my head and I scowled.
Then, in a split-second, he was gone, merely a faint black mist hung in the air where he’d been standing, but that dissipated after a moment.
I raked my hands through my hair, my fingers getting caught in the tangled curls, letting out a sigh and heading over to my parked car.
I’m so over this demon crap.