She looked into his handsome, unlined face, her nerves jittery. “Can I ask you a question?”
George had a million of them whirring around in her head, but there was one that troubled her more than most.
Dex nodded and smiled accommodatingly. “Always.”
“How long do assignments usually last?”
His face darkened again. Exactly the way it had when she’d asked another question having to do with specifically being her angel. But then it lightened right up and he shrugged. “Depends.”
She knew it. Pulling her hand away, she asked, “Depends as in, depends on how pathetic the client is?”
“Pathetic isn’t the word I’d use here, George. It doesn’t encompass the situation at all. You’re not pathetic. Stop saying that.”
Blinking, she wrinkled her nose. “Then why has it taken a year for you to fix me?”
He tilted his head, his eyes warm. “Because I’m not supposed to fix you, George. I’m supposed to guide, lead the way to a better you.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she made a face. “I’m pretty sure helping me solve an argument or two isn’t going to make an overall better me. I’m still as awkward and clumsy, indecisive and insecure as the day you took the job of becoming my angel.”
He searched her eyes for a moment, as though he wanted to say something, but then he simply smiled that gorgeous smile. “You’ve come a long way, George. Believe in yourself like I believe in you.”
She made another face. “Nice platitude. We should put it on a plaque and frame it next to the rest of my inspy wall.” Making her way to the cabinet where she kept Gladys food and treats, she hauled out a big bag and a cannister of soft Snausages. “So sometimes, for the sadder sacks, a case can last up to a year or more? How am I supposed to keep up with being a guardian angel and work a full-time job?”
He chuckled, a little too warmly for her disgruntled thoughts. “Let’s just say, you don’t need to sleep as much as you used to—or eat, for that matter. If you don’t prefer, that is.”
Panic set in at the idea she couldn’t have one of her beloved cookies or a grilled ham and cheese. One of her favorite things to do was bake. What would her life be like if she couldn’t make blueberry and bleu cheese cupcakes?
“Wait, can I still taste food?”
He smiled as though she’d asked something ridiculous. “Of course, but it isn’t necessary for your survival.”
Nina cackled from the living room. “Beats not being able to eat at all, Winged One. Call your ass lucky you’re not me. I’d choke a bitch out for some chicken wings and a damn side of ranch.”
Dex came up behind her and took the heavy bag of food from her hands. “You can still taste food, George. In fact, you can eat whatever you want and never gain an ounce.”
Huh. Well, that was a check in the pro column for guardian angels.
“Oh! I call bullshit! My ass turns into the size of a dump truck if I have one donut. Why wasn’t I turned into the paranormal who doesn’t gain an ounce? No fair!” Marty yelped before she grabbed her friend’s arm and laughed. “I wanna be an angel, Wanda. Let’s ask for a refund.”
Wanda chuckled at her friend just as the doorbell rang, scaring George as she latched onto Dex’s strong forearm, fear rising in her chest.
No one ever came to her house unless she was having a package delivered. Though, she didn’t know why it should matter. It wasn’t as though you could suddenly tell she was an angel simply by looking at her, and you certainly couldn’t tell she had vampires and werewolves in her house by merely looking at all these gorgeous women either.
But that bit Nina mentioned about a bad motherfucker had stuck with George, and she couldn’t shake it.
When Wanda swung the door open, it creaked and let in a blast of cold air as a light so blindingly bright and so welcoming hit her square in the eyes. For a moment, George thought she might pass out from the beauty of the glow that made her latch onto the edge of her island countertop to keep from tipping over.
“What the ever-lovin’ fuck?” Nina bellowed, hopping up from the couch to hide her eyes as she stumbled around, making Gladys bark. That shit burns, for Christ’s sake! Shut the GD door, Wanda!”
“Duff!” Dex yelled, shielding his eyes by cupping his hand over them. “Turn it down, buddy!”
Someone yelled cheerfully, “A Heavenly delivery for a Ms. Georgina Denise Maverick!” and dropped something that sounded really heavy moments before Wanda slammed the door shut with a huff.
Dex sighed. “Your wings are here,” he announced.
She squinted, rubbing her burning eyes.
Oh, good.
Hopefully, her wings had come with a new pair of retinas, too.
Chapter 4
“Yep,” Dex said. “Your wings have definitely arrived, George.”
“Did they come with new retinas?” she asked, wiping the tears falling from her eyes.
“Sorry. I’ve been meaning to talk to Duff about how enthusiastic his glow is. He goes overboard sometimes.”
“His glow?” she repeated as she gripped the countertop tighter and tried to stay upright. Though, as strange as that sounded, after seeing the glow, her heart felt full, lighter, if you will.
“Yeah, it’s an angel thing. You’ll get used to it. It’ll pass. Promise. Now, wanna see your wings?” he asked, his voice full of excitement.
“Am I ever going to see again?” she half-joked.
“C’mere,” he said, taking her hands from her eyes and placing his thumbs over the sockets, smoothing the pads over her eyelids.
The moment he did, a light vibration coursed through her, followed by a distinct hum and then a warmth that landed square in her core. To be honest, she wasn’t sure if it was from Dex touching her or something else, but the moment he removed his thumbs and asked if she was better, she had to admit,
