“Thanks,” she whispered.
“Oh, and Lori, I’ll be over in a few hours to get you. I got two tickets to the ballet, but I thought we could get a bite before the show. I’ll call you when I’m on my way.”
Lori smirked. “Bye, Alastor. Thank you for permanently scarring my daughter.” She glanced at her watch. “I’ve got to get back to the office. Lots of work to do before my date. I can’t take you home, but I sent Bridget a text asking her to come get you. She’ll be here soon.” She kissed the top of Eva’s head and disintegrated into a pile of sparkling confetti.
Eva coughed as she breathed in shimmering mom dust.
“Don’t worry about the mess. I’ll clean it up. It’s part of my job,” Alek said, pulling a broom out of his pocket.
Eva unbuckled the strap around her wrist and wiggled her fingers. “It’s kind of weird around here, isn’t it?”
Alek shrugged. “Are you sure you’re not just hung over from the party?”
Eva thought for a moment. “I do feel kind of strange.”
He swept a hand through his tangled curls. “It’s been a while since he’s done a tree design. I think it looks nice.”
“Yeah, I like it too.” The fresh tattoo looked alive as it danced with the motion of her moving fingers. “I didn’t even feel it.”
“That’s a plus.” He chuckled and awkwardly pulled at the pendant hanging around his neck.
“I like your necklace. Is that a crystal?”
The door alarm jingled and cold air blew Bridget into the room. “Let us leave. There is much to learn on your journey home.”
“Sorry about her. She likes to make an entrance.” Eva picked up her purse and threw the strap over her shoulder.
“I’ll see you around.” He waved as she rushed to catch up with Bridget.
“I think you can work on being a little less rude, Bridge.” Eva closed the car door and fastened her seatbelt. “That guy in there was really nice and majorly cute. You totally acted like he didn’t exist.”
“You will find him again.” She drove the car around the block and parked in front of an open gas pump.
“Yeah, if I ever decide to get another tattoo.” Eva gently traced the tree’s barren branches. “And I don’t know whether or not that’ll happen. I can’t even remember why I wanted this one.”
“To remind you of your strength.”
“Hey!” a muffled voice shouted and tapped on the glass. “Want to roll down your window?”
“Sorry.” Eva pushed the button, and the window sank into the car.
“No problem.” He winked at her, his hand twirling a crystal pendant. “Just need to know what kind of gas you want. We have green, pink, or gold.”
Eva couldn’t take her eyes from his fingers caressing the smooth stone. “Your necklace looks so familiar.”
Bridget erupted into laughter, and Eva’s tattoo prickled with pain. Her throat felt like it caught fire, and she coughed violently. Black seeped from the tree and formed a puddle on the floorboard. Eva kept her feet away from the paint and wrapped her oozing arm in the bottom of her shirt. When she looked up, the gas station had vanished, and her porch appeared in its place.
She rocked in the comfort of the familiar black rocking chair. “My throat hurts. I need a drink.” A glass materialized on the table next to her.
“Ask for aid and it will come.” Bridget smiled.
Eva and Bridget sat in silence. The sweat from Eva’s glass slowly dripped glittery purple onto the stone.
“Who’s that?” Eva shaded her eyes from the sun as a van sputtered to a stop in front of her house. The bright decal on its side advertised Protective Lawn Care. “When did we hire Alek’s Lawn Care?”
The van’s door opened, and a tanned man stepped into the sun. He kept his eyes on Eva as he pushed the lawn mower up the driveway.
“Go to him. He is needed to keep you grounded. To keep you safe,” Bridget said.
Eva picked up the glass and stepped off the porch. The cut grass felt like spring, cool and moist beneath her feet.
“You were watching me,” she said, standing in the shadow of his strong frame.
“Would you like me to stop?” His eyes studied her face, the plunging neckline of her dress.
“No,” she said, offering him the glass.
He gulped big mouthfuls of liquid. Water trickled off his chin and slid down his bare chest.
“You need a towel. Come inside and I’ll get one for you.” Eva led him through the living room and into the kitchen. She picked up the dishtowel from the counter and dabbed it against his chest. She looked up and met his hazel eyes. “Your pendant. It’s beautiful.”
He swept the hair from her face and lifted her mouth to his. She kissed him with newly discovered longing, and he returned her desire. Anticipation tangled her thoughts as he brushed the straps of her dress off her shoulders. The soft cotton caressed her back as it floated to the floor. His hand slid from her shoulder and traveled down the deep curve of her back.