Fiendish: A Twisted Fairytale by Meka James Page B

dating. It would make sense; a man like him couldn ’t be single. I started to feel pretty bummed about the idea of being some sort of ‘other woman’ by the time Macy finally got home.
    “Okay woman, spill it,” she said, dropping her bag at the door.
    “Hello Macy, how was your day? Mine was fine, thanks for asking,” I retorted as I turned off the TV.
    “Whatever,” she replied, rolling her eyes as she walked into the kitchen. “No man does that kind of floral overkill if not for a good time.”
    “Well, this one did.”
    “Seriously? Not even a hand job?” she asked, walking back into the living room with her bowl of Alfredo.
    “Nope,” I replied pulling my knees to my chest. “He showed up out of the blue again at my office and said he was sorry for not calling and what not. I missed my bus, so he drove me to my appointment to see that Marco guy. After that horribly embarrassing situation, we had dinner at Carroll Street then he brought me home. Now you have all the beans.”
    I left out the part where I’d invited him in and him rejecting that offer. I didn’t want to relive that moment again. Macy quietly ate her food as she thought over what I said. I could see her wheels turning while she tried to put her own spin on the situation.
    “Maybe he was working or had to take a last minute trip.”
    “Then why not just text me to say so? I mean I know we aren’t dating or anything close, but nothing at all for nearly two weeks then he just pops back up? Doesn’t that seem odd to you?”
    “Don ’t know, hun,” she replied with a shrug. “I guess it is a little off. Did you ask him where he was or what he’s been up to?”
    “No. I tried to make him go away, but he was…determined. Yeah, guess that ’s what I would call it.”
    “What do you mean determined?” she asked skeptically.
    “Just that he really seemed like he wanted me to know he was sorry, nothing bad.”
    “Huh, well then, what do you think it is?”
    “I feel like he’s leading some sort of double life. Like he’s married or, at the very least, seriously dating someone and just wants to get me in bed and move on.”
    “That would make sense if he ’d tried to put the moves on you. But from your account of things, he hasn’t been pushy in the sex department at all.”
    “Ugh,” I groaned, running a frustrated hand through my hair. “I hate it when you ’re right. He’s not tried anything physical with me at all. What the hell Mace? You and Mitch have been going at it like rabbits and see or talk to each other nearly every day. Meanwhile I’m…confused as hell. And at this point so freaking tempted to use that damn vibrator.”
    Macy started laughing as she sat her bowl down on the table. “Aw, hun,” she said, scooting over to hug me, “just ask him. It will set your mind at ease. Quit stressing yourself and just ask him. Point blank, and get it all out in the open.”
    I sat there with my head on her shoulder, thinking about what she said. Just ask him if he’s married, easy, I could do that. But how would I know if he was lying? Four years with Paul proved I couldn’t reliably tell if a person was being truthful with me.
     

    Chapter 11
     
    This was the first time I could remember not sleeping well. Not only did Calida invade my waking thoughts, but she had invaded my dreams. Those eyes, her lips, the way her cheeks flushed when I stood too close: all of it infecting me like a virus. I didn’t like how I reacted to her on Monday. For the first time in a long time I actually felt out of control of a situation, even if it was only temporary. What the hell was Calida doing to me?  
    Angrily, I yanked the covers from my body. I needed a distraction, and luckily for me, I had one waiting.  The plan was to let Pet sit for a few days, let her worry about what might come next, but like anything, plans change. I flipped the power back on once I reached the cellar and descended the stairs to find her curled up