She woke up to the sound of the smoke alarm. In her room. In her bed. Jumping up, she ran downstairs. Nothing seemed to be on fire. That is, until she ran past the kitchen. A dark plume of smoke was coming from a pan on the stove. Devin stood next to it, trying to figure out exactly what had gone wrong. She walked up to the stove, pulling the pan off the burner, and turning it off.
"What are you doing?" Obviously, she knew he was cooking.
"Trying to make grilled cheese. Your friend, she said you liked that." He ran one hand through his hair, then shrugged.
She took another look at the dark, charcoal block in the pan. I guess he's not good at everything. She threw it into the trash, landing on two more failures.
"When was the last time you cooked?" She asked.
"I made an aspic one year when I was invited to Thanksgiving. I think it was '64."
"Aspic?" She wasn't familiar with the word.
"It's a gelatin, with meat and vegetables. I found a recipe in a magazine." He looked half proud.
"Eww." She didn't mean to say it out loud.
"It looked nice. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure anyone ate any." He frowned slightly.
"Scootch over." She nudged him gently out of the way. Grabbing a paper towel, she wiped the pan down and placed it back on the stone. "Where'd this pan come from?"
"I bought it." He leaned back against the counter.
"You bought a pan to make me grilled cheese?"
"And tomato soup," He added. Thankfully, that was still in the can.
"Thank you. Okay, let's start over. Set the stove to medium." While it was heating, she went to the fridge. He should eat too. On the front shelf was a plastic cup filled with a creamy tan liquid. She pulled it out as well as a red can.
"And this?" She asked.
"Iced Coffee." He replied without looking.
"Because Cher?"
He nodded. She placed the red can in his hands and smiled ."Take care of yourself, too."
Back at the stove, she finished her basic cooking lesson. Butter. Bread. Cheese. Not too hot. Flip and perfect. She slid the golden brown sandwich onto a plate. The soup was microwavable. He probably could have handled this. She thought as she removed the soup and headed toward the couch with her lunch.
As they were sitting down to eat, her phone rang.
"Hey?" She answered. "Do I have to?"
There was a long pause. Devin watched her from his position reclining on the couch. He took a sip of his drink, waiting to be acknowledged.
"I'll ask him," Able to hear both sides of the conversation easily, Devin nodded. "It's fine. See you tonight."
She hung up. Silently, she dipped her sandwich into her soup, the creamy tomato soaking the bread, and took a bite. It was warm and good, and still didn't help. Inside, she felt so cold. Anything but that.
---
"Are you sure this is ok?" Kal was standing in front of her Dad's house with Devin. He'd refused to leave her side for the past week. He and Cherry hadn't found anything conclusive, but they were sure this would eventually wear off. Unfortunately, due to overhearing her drunken ramblings about the beach, she wasn't allowed to go outside during the day, just in case.
"It will be fine." He said.
"You do realize there will be human food at this dinner with my Dad, right?" She asked.
"I've had a lot of practice." He said.
She shoved her hands further into the pockets of her hoodie and shifted her weight from her left leg to her right. Any second, the door would open. She'd have to spend the next hour or so with her Dad, his wife, Seth, Cherry, and him. How am I supposed to explain Devin to my Dad?
"What's taking so long?" She couldn't stop fidgeting.
"You didn't ring the bell." He leaned across her and pressed the button.
Ever since she'd changed back, it felt like he was uncomfortably close. Even when he wasn't. Was she imagining things? Or was it an effect of everything suddenly changing? She judged him based on how she would have been in this situation. If our roles were reversed. Well, it's good they weren't.
The door swung open.
"Kaleigh! It's good to see you." The woman's saccharine sweet voice made Kal wince.
"You too, thanks for having us." Kal couldn't have sounded less excited if she'd tried.
"Oh! Who is your friend?"
The woman glanced from Kal to Devin and back to Kal before stepping to the side. Kal ignored her question.
"Come in, come in. Dinner's almost ready." She said.
"Older sister?" Devin whispered quietly enough that only Kal could hear him.
She shook her head. He seemed to get the idea and didn't ask any follow-up questions. The woman led them into the dining room. Thankfully, before she could ask any more questions, the doorbell rang again, and she walked off to answer it.
"Hon, who was it?" Kal's dad called from the kitchen.
"Only me," Kal answered.
"Oh good! You made it. Could you come here and help me for a sec?"
As Kal walked into the kitchen, the scent of homemade lasagna and garlic bread overwhelmed her. Mr. James didn't cook every night, but the ones he did were some of her fondest memories of growing up. Sometimes Cherry and her folks would come over. The adults would talk while the kids played games.
"Hey, you ok?" Mr. James asked. His brows knitted together slightly, and she could see the worry lines had deepened since the last time she'd visited. She even noticed a few grey hairs mixed in with his short, brown hair. He must have been so worried while she was gone.
She nodded before taking the large mixing bowl full of lettuce handed to her. She did her best to make sure the caesar salad was perfectly dressed. That was always her job. And Seth's job was to—"Set the table, please." Mr. James shouted.
"It's already done," Seth called out from the other room.
"How did you know he was here?" Kal asked.
"Who else would've been at the door? Now, hurry and take that salad to the table. I'm looking forward to meeting your friend." He hurried her out of the kitchen.
She returned to the dining room and placed the salad in the middle of the table. When she entered the room, Devin and Cherry stopped whatever they had been talking about. She frowned slightly before taking the empty seat next to Devin. Mr. James was right behind her, placing the tray of lasagna in the center of the table. He disappeared once more for the garlic bread before urging everyone to help themselves.
Everyone piled food onto their plates. No exceptions. Cherry, Seth, and Kal were all watching Devin. The novelty of a vampire at a family dinner. Kal watched him add a slice of garlic bread to his plate before passing her the basket. She did the same before handing it to her father.
"Thank you for inviting me to join you tonight," Devin said.
"Oh. Well, I'm happy to have you. It's always great to have dinner with my kids and their friends." Mr. James said.
The emphasis put on "friends" did not go unnoticed. Part question, part accusation.
"And how do you know each other?" Lynn couldn't keep her mouth shut.
"We work together. I'm her–" Devin began.
"–Mentor." Kal interrupted.
"You must be very patient." Her father smiled.
Devin cast her a sideways glance. She couldn't tell what he was thinking. Was he annoyed or amused?
"Sometimes." Devin smiled softly, picking up his fork, acutely aware that almost every eye was on him. He took a bite of lasagna, purposely overacting as he did so. "It's good."
"Told you." Kal chimed in.
Once everyone's attention returned to their own food, Devin whispered to Kal. "Mind telling me what that was about?"
She shrugged.
"It's either I didn't tell them the garlic thing is a myth," Her voice barely above a whisper.
"Or?"
"I couldn't eat human food. What did Cherry call me? Comically overdramatic."
He chuckled softly. Some thought he wasn't willing to share. Then he took another bite.
How is he doing that?
"So, Devin, how long have you been seeing my daughter?" Mr. James asked.
"Dad!" Kal exclaimed.
"We're just friends," Devin said.
"You seemed a bit closer than friends at the door," Lynn said under her breath.
That woman. She tries to cause issues between Dad and me every chance she gets. She's jealous, and I get it. Probably wishes I'd stayed missing. A hundred thoughts ran through her mind, and every single one of them would have hurt her father. Lynn was lucky it wasn't last week. Devin brushed his hand against Kal's before filling her wine glass.
"Only colleagues," Devin replied.
"It's true," Cherry said. "I'd to be the first to know."
"Second," Seth said.
"As if," Cherry replied, stealing the bread from Seth's plate. He, in turn, attempted to take it back, ultimately failing. Finally, he settled for grabbing a new piece from the basket.
"That's good." Mr. James continued.
"Oh?" Devin raised an eyebrow.
"The ring. You're married?"
Mr. James pointed to his left ring finger, indicating the gold band Devin was wearing. Kal had noticed it several times but never asked. He never took it off.
"Widowed," Devin replied, touching the band.
"Ah. I'm sorry, I…." Mr. James trailed off.
"No. It's okay. It's been some time."
"Still. It's not easy, the loss," Mr. James added. "I'm sorry."
"Thanks," Devin replied.
Kal looked at Seth and then back to her Dad. He was thinking about their mom. She couldn't remember Mom at all, and Dad wouldn't talk about her in front of his new wife. She felt a little sad for him. She looked at Devin. For them both.
"All the more reason to be happy we're together today." Cherry raised her glass.
"I couldn't have said it better myself." Mr. James said.
After dinner, Lynn picked up the plates, and Mr. James set out a cheesecake. Kal didn't think she'd ever been so excited about cake, but it was the most perfect cheesecake she'd ever seen. Kal bounced a little in her chair, and everyone was staring. I don't care. I only want cake.
"Hey. You ok?" Seth asked.
"Sorry. I haven't had cake in a while." Kal said.
"Or wine, it would seem," Lynn taunted.
"Lay off, okay? You've been a bitch since we got here." Cherry leaned toward the older woman. "Can't you just be happy your whole family is here? Together?"
Alive. The word was unsaid, but it was felt—the absence of the Sullivans. A deathly hush fell over the room. No one knew what to say.
"Sorry, I—" Cherry stood, tears streaming down her cheeks. Then, she took off out the front door. Seth ran after her.
"Are you happy now?" Kal jumped up, turning on Lynn. "You're always like this. Every time."
"Kaleigh." Her dad attempted.
Kal froze for a second before retreating up the stairs, followed by the loud slamming of her bedroom door.
"I'll go talk to her," Devin said softly. "Thanks again for dinner."
"No problem at all," Mr. James replied.
---
There was a soft knock on the door. Kal shifted slightly on the bed but otherwise didn't respond.
"Can I come in?" Devin asked.
"If you want," Kal replied.
"I brought your cake," He said.
He placed the plate on the nightstand. She didn't look at him, didn't reply. He took a few steps back, feigning interest in the contents of a shelf. A small framed picture of Kal and her brother at an amusement park caught his eye. The sun sparkled in her hair, and there was the biggest smile on her face. She couldn't have been older than ten.
"So, this is your room?" Devin put the picture back.
"It was." She replied.
"Was?" He asked.
"Before." She sniffled.
She hoped he didn't notice. I hate being such a mess. Broken. The whole week had been like this. She'd felt so out of control. Of herself. Her emotions. She should never have agreed to come home. To bring him here.
"Before?" He asked. "Isn't it still?"
She shook her head. She hadn't felt at home here in a long time. It was the reason she didn't like to visit. It being a person, of course. Step-monster.
"I should go." He turned to leave.
"No," she whispered. "Stay. Please."
"Why?" He appeared to be genuinely confused.
"I don't want to be alone," she said.
"You're not alone. Your family?" He said.
"Doesn't understand. These past few days have been so confusing. I'm too embarrassed to go back down there."
"So you want to hide? Up here?"
Kal nodded.
"With me?"
"And your cake."
"That's not my cake." He protested.
"So you ate yours?" She knew he hadn't. She was testing to see if he'd tell the truth.
"No."
"Well. I brought mine with me." She held up her empty plate.
"I thought maybe it would cheer you up." He looked at her and sighed, running one hand through his messy bangs. "But if you don't want it…."
He leaned past her, reaching for the cake. His movements were deliberately slow, giving her the chance to pull the plate away. As she did, he brushed his fingers lightly across her hand before pulling back.
"No. I want it." She grinned.
He took a step back and put his hands up momentarily in surrender. She noticed the way he stared at his fingertips. His hands had been cold. Was it possible he'd been so focused on caring for her that he wasn't taking care of himself? She hoped that wasn't the case.
It was strange watching him as a human. Things she wouldn't have noticed when they were the same. The signals that told her to be afraid. He'd thought she was focused on the cake, but she saw his fangs, if only briefly.
"You're curious, aren't you?" She couldn't help herself.
"About?"
"If I'm contagious." She set the plate on the nightstand and looked at him, tilting her head slightly to the side.
"I think maybe you've had too much wine."
"Not you too?" she pouted.
"Not like that. These thoughts don't lead anywhere good." He sat on the opposite side of the small daybed, as far from her as possible.
"And you think it's the wine talking."
"Would you tempt me otherwise?" When he spoke, she could just barely see the points of his canines.
"Maybe. Maybe not." She flopped onto the mattress, rolling over and staring up into his face. "Sorry if I made you uncomfortable."
"Not at all. But maybe you trust me a little too much." He reached down to brush the hair away from her face, this one strand that always seemed to be in the way.
"Shouldn't I?" She asked.
He didn't answer; she probably wouldn't have liked it anyway. She yawned and closed her eyes. Only intending to shut them for a minute, she fell asleep.