Chapter 161
Asmodeus had looked like a little boy in the airport on the way here. He, of course, was trying with all his might to keep his straight, stoic expression... but there was no hiding his child-like awe from me. It didn't surprise me in the least, I mean he hadn't been on a plane in so long, I didn't even think he remembered what it felt like.
Seeing him a little nervous on the way up in the plane was a cute as hell, but I let him keep his weird pride and didn't let onto this as he held onto my hand for subtle support.
And now, as we sat here at dinner, I couldn't take my eyes off of Asmodeus. My Asmodeus. My favorite person, in my favorite city..
My heart felt so goddamn warm.
He was wearing one of his nice button-ups, his hair the usual effortless perfection that it was. He had replied to me, but if I was being perfectly honest, I hadn't heard it. The corners of his lips turned up into a grin after a few more moments.
"It would be great if you stopped smiling at me like a crazed psycho," he joked, and I rolled my eyes.
"Well then stop looking so good," I countered. "How are you liking Boston?" I wiggled my eyebrows a little.
We had spent our time before dinner just walking around, checking out shops I had liked and buying as much Boston Sports merchandise as I could fit on him. He had tried to object at first, but he quickly withdrew his objection when he saw my threatening glare.
'Kev and Jessica are gonna kill me for wearing this shit,' he had said after I bought him a Patriots beanie and forced him to put it on. I had simply replied by telling him that the hat suited him, and dragged him to the next place mercilessly.
"It's great, it's kind of cold though.. the west coast is definitely better," he answered, and I shook my head to disagree.
"You're just saying that because your a Californian... it's a fact that the East Coast is superior," I told him and he raised his eyebrows as I took a sip of my drink.
"Oh ya? Says who?"
"Says me," I winked.
When our food arrived, I almost let out a mo-an just at the smell. I had gotten my favorite pasta, and my Italian side was immediately in heaven as it was placed in front of me.
"So what do you want to do with your future?" I asked casually, then quickly realized that that was not a very casual question. I looked up at him warily but he didn't hesitate as he replied.
"Not entirely sure, but whatever it is it involves you and a ring that I currently can't even fathom affording," he said, and laughed before smiling at him as he looked up to meet my gaze. I hoped he could sense the love that was radiating off of me. The small smile now on his face made me think that maybe he had.
• • •
I leaned into Asmodeus's warmth as we laid there, letting the steady rising and falling of his chest lull me to sleep. His embrace felt like a deep sea of blankets and hugs that I was utterly engulfed in under the sheets.
"Do you ever get scared of being happy?" He asked softly, also pretty tired. I kept my eyes closed as I answered, my fingers softly drawing circles on his chest.
"All the time. I used to much more, though. The downfalls seem a lot less daunting now that I have someone to free fall with," I replied, and I looked up to see him smile a little at that, "We're just dancing in the rain these days.. no need to be afraid of the inevitable clouds that are gonna pop up."
"You and your clouds," he commented, and I chuckled, repositioning myself to snuggle in even further into him as he wrapped his arms around me again, holding me close.
"I like the rain," he matter-of-factly thought out loud.
"I like you," I replied, feeling myself growing more and more tired with each word.
"Well, that's good to know, thanks," he said and I smiled, a little too tired to muster the energy of an actual laugh.
A few minutes later, I was just about to officially fall asleep when he spoke again, his voice low and sleepy.
"We gotta take our kids to that restaurant one day."
My heart started beating like crazy, and I smiled. I couldn't get to sleep for a little while after that.
• • •
Jessica's POV
"Let's fking GOOO!!" Kade hollered from the other room, running past me one second later and towards the door. I watched him swing it open and scoop Ali up in his arms as she let out an excited laugh. I smiled to myself as I finished laying out the cups.
Josie and Madison were in the other room putting up various halloween decorations and streamers. I had told them it was pointless and that they would just get torn down at some point, but they simply waved me away and kept putting them up.
Kade and Ali had dressed up as the 'modern Bonnie and Clyde', and as much as I wanted to make fun of Kade for the cheesiness of a couple's costume, they actually pulled it off really well.
I was guessing that everyone would start getting here in about another half an hour or so, and Layla still hadn't gotten here. Checking my phone, I saw that she had texted me saying she'd be a little late because she forgot to get ready and had to bring Jake to his friends house for the night.
I realized as people started showing up that this was the first party of mine that Layla was coming to. And I was excited, but a part of me was a little nervous. I didn't know why this was, and I figured it was probably nothing, so I brushed off any of these nerves and just focused on the excitement.
I had sent Carla and Asmodeus to Boston because they really did deserve it, and we all wanted them to have fun, not just me. I didn't do it to have more alone time with Layla..
But maybe with Asmodeus gone I could afford to let loose just a little more. Maybe. Possibly.
I let the grin on my face shift to a friendly smile as I walked toward to door to let people in as they arrived.
Well, this night would be fun.