Chapter 6

When we appeared, we were in a kitchen I hadn't seen before. I think it was in an apartment, though I wasn't even sure which part of the world we were in. It was a very modern kitchenette; it had marble worktops and stainless steel fittings and a breakfast bar with black leather stools next to it. Not far from that, there was a table set for two with a single rose and a lit candle.

"Where are we?" I asked.

"I rented a hotel room for the night," Cal replied.

For the night? As much as I was blown away by how romantic and thoughtful this was, I couldn't help but over-think those three words. "Well, Mr. Callahan, don't you think you're being a little forward?" I joked in my best English accent.

He stepped towards me and wrapped his arms around my waist. My heart started beating a little faster.

"Nah, not really," he said after pretending to think about it for a moment. Any uncertainty I had melted away in an instant. I laughed and pecked him on the lips affectionately. Something about Cal's attitude made me feel safer and more secure than I ever had with Archer. I know it's a cliché, but I have never had any real reason why I doubt his intentions. I mean, I only kissed Archer once and it turned out that he was working for the enemy.

"Sophie?" Cal's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. His forehead was creased with concern and that made me smile.

"Sorry, I just couldn't get out of my own head for a moment."

"It's alright. I know you have a lot on your plate."

I sighed at the reminder the swiftly changed the subject. "Did you cook?" I asked.

"I was going to, but then I remembered that we could just order room service."

"Good, because I would love a cheeseburger right now."

"If it is a cheeseburger my lady wants, then it is a cheeseburger she shall get," he replied with an English accent that was way better than mine.

"That was awesome," I exclaimed, mainly out of shock, "have you been secretly watching Downton Abbey or something?"

"No, my lady. Far too much Bond, James Bond."

I giggled like a girl (I know- I was surprised and ashamed and too). He looks at me for a moment, then goes to order the food on the phone by the sofa. I sit on one of the stools in the kitchenette which, unexpectedly, swings arould as I get on it, almost causing me to fall off. I yelp in surprise. At least Cal didn't see. He'd have one that lip-twitch thing he does when he's trying not to l... I heard a loud chuckle from behind me. He walked towards me, clutching his stomach.

"Your face was... priceless," he said between laughs. I punched him in the arm, but my fist is met with a hard bicep.

"Damn it!" I yelp, shaking my hand, "have you been working out?"

I do what I hope is raising an eyebrow. Instead of commenting on what was probably my constipated face, Cal ran his hand through his hair and and takes a seat on the stool next to me.

"Sophie, I actually have to tell you something."

"You're taking steroids?"

"No-"

"You do watch Downton Abbey?" My voice was getting squeakier with each word.

"No-"

"You-"

"Stop! This is serious." I stayed quiet and looked down at my hands. "I have taken a job with the council."

I looked at him blankly.

"Now you say nothing?"

I physically couldn't form any words.

"I just wanted you to know that I won't be going back to Hex with you."

I looked at him some more. 'what about us?' I thought.

"I don't know what what you want to do about us. It depends how you feel," he aid, seemingly reading my mind.

"I...I..." my throat had gotten very dry.

"We can still get married, after you graduate or we could...stop."

"Stop?" I squeaked.

"Courting." Even now I had to smile at his phrasing. "I understand that I can't expect you to wait for me and you might want to...see other people." His jaw clenched at the last part.

"I..." I was cut off my the sound of the food arriving. My saviour. Cal got up to retrieve it. I looked down and realized that my palms were sweating. I had no idea what to say. I didn't want to lose Cal. I wanted us to be like other betrothed couples - we'd date other people as teenagers then meet and get married...or not. I don't know. I grew up with human customs and that is called 'cheating on your fiancé'. Especially now that we've met and dated. I guess that's why he gave me this ultimatum. Right now, I only want to be with Cal, but what if there's another guy later.

Don't judge me, guys. I can't say I'm in love with Cal. But, if there was one guy I would definitely feel comfortable marrying, it would be him.

Cal set my burger in front of me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"You don't have to answer this minute, Sophie."

"What do you want me to say?"

"It's not about what I want. I took the job, now I have no o face the consequences that come with it."

We both ate in silence. It wasn't awkward, as we were both thinking deeply about the future. I finally broke the silence.

"I'm no in love with you, Cal, but I don't want to lose you. I don't want to meet some other guy and break your heart and never see you again."

"It would break my heart anyway," he said so quietly I almost didn't hear.

"I do really like you and care about you. If we dated for longer then..."

"Well, I'm not leaving until this whole thing is over."

"So, we can date until then and review the situation later?" A smile came to my face as relief surged through me

We finished eating, then sat on the sofa, talking as though nothing had changed.

"Alex. Did people call you Alex?" I asked.

"Yeah, but I changed it to Cal when I started at Hex."

"What-" I started.

"It's my turn to ask a question. When did you first use your powers?"

"Anything but that question!" I burried my face in my hands.

"It can't be that bad!"

"I'm a demon - It was awful."

"You have to tell me about it."

"I forfeit!" I threw my hands up in mock surrender.

"You can't forfeit!"

"New rules: you can forfeit three times and no asking the same question more than once," I said sternly.

"Fine."

"My question! What was her name - the girl you lost your virginity to?"

"That question's more embarrassing!"

"I only asked for her name, not the whole story. Eugh - details." I shudder in disgust.

"I forfeit - I can't risk you hunting her down and 'disposing of her."

"Puh-lease. You know I'm not the jealous type."

"You seemed a little disappointed when I told you." His face turned serious. I didn't want to meet his penetrating hazel eyes.

"I was just...surprised," I said quietly.

"You can be honest. I know how I would feel if you had actually...with Him."

"Because it's Archer or would it bother you anyway?"

He paused to think. "Both."

"Next question," I said, not wanting this conversation to continue.

"Okay. If I we're to kiss you...could it...end elsewhere?"

"What are you?! The King of Euphemisms?!"

"Sophie."

He was asking me if I would consider losing my virginity to him in the most gentlemanly way possible. After all, I convinced myself I was going to do it with Archer in a filthy cellar. Though, I just couldn't imagine the situation with Cal.

"Not right now, but yeah, in the...distant, near future."

"Are you sure you don't mean the 'near distant future'?" I was confused for a moment before I realised he was joking. "Your question," he said.

"Are we still doing that?"

"Yes," he insisted.

"Okay. Um... When we're married, will I be 'Cal' too, or would I be 'Mrs. Cal'?"