The Fated Bond

Girl's Talk

[Violet’s POV]

I can feel Lance’s eyes on me as I head away from him. My mind is reeling, and everything in me is screaming that this isn’t the right thing, but instead of turning around and going back to the man who is standing behind me, unspeaking, unmoving, and possibly even screaming for me to turn around and say something so that we don’t part on such an awkward note, but I can’t bring myself to do it.

That’s why instead of going back to him, I continue moving, heading farther and farther away until I’m turning down an alley and I can’t feel his gaze anymore. Only then do I stop moving and then let out a long breath I didn’t even realize I was holding while my heart squeezes painfully.

“You’ve got to get it together, Violet.” I tell myself, not wanting to feel like this. “He’s only your date coach and not someone that you can even think to have.”

He was only being nice to me because it was his job, and once I found the perfect man, he would forget about me completely. I hated that thought, but that was just the way it was, and the sooner I accepted it, the better.

Settling on this, I begin to move again while pulling out my phone, and after scrolling through my contacts and finding Noel’s number, I click call and then wait while the other line begins to ring.

“What’s up?” She asks on the third ring, and I immediately regret calling, given how out of breath she sounds.

“Am I interrupting something?” I ask, though I don’t need to ask when a whimper escapes her and I know that she actually answered the phone while she and Trevor were busy doing the deed. “Ew, you could have just called me back.”

“I don’t know what you mean.” She huffs, and I can hear the sound of movement on the other line. “I’m not in the middle of anything.”

Now. I think to myself, hoping that Trevor didn’t blame me for ruining his moment with his wife during their honeymoon. So far, I had refrained from calling her because I wanted them to enjoy their time together since they would be returning come Sunday, but after what just happened, I couldn’t hold it off any longer. She was the only person I was close with and the only one I could confide in, and I prayed that she could help me make some sense of these confusing feelings.

“Hello? You still there?” Noel’s voice says, snapping me out of my daze. “I know you didn’t call me just to hear my voice, right?”

“That’s right.” I confirm, wondering if I was making a mistake in calling. “I just…”

Growing quiet, I try to think of the proper way to tell her how I’m feeling. I knew that she would most likely not think too much on it since I fell so easily, but something about how I was feeling this time was different. These feelings that were beginning to bubble up in me felt stronger and more… Overwhelming? Was "overwhelming" the proper way to put it? I didn’t know, but I couldn’t stop them from coming even if I wanted to, and that was unnerving.

“Tell me,” I continue now, deciding to approach it from a different direction. “When Lance was helping you with your matchmaking, did he make you feel like maybe, just maybe, he had a thing for you?”

“Hm,” Noel says, her tone making it clear she was really thinking. “I mean, as a succubus I always have the thought that every man I encounter is falling for me. It’s in our nature to be alluring, but if I’m being honest, he was the first man that seemed to treat me like a human being.

“Like a human being.” I repeat, remembering the moments that I had with Lance.

Was that what he was doing? Was I mistaking his trying to make me feel like I was someone as him being flirtatious or possibly even falling? It most certainly was a possibility.

“When I was uncertain, he would reassure me, and when I felt like I wasn’t ever going to be able to find a lasting relationship, he made me feel like it would happen.” She continues when I don’t speak. “He’s a great guy, to say the least, and I will forever be indebted to him for helping me find Trevor and go through with my wedding. But why are you asking me these things?”

“No reason.” I say quickly, feeling like a fool for mistaking his kindness as something he only did with me. “I just wanted to know a bit more about him since he’s currently helping me.”

“Really?” Noel chirps, perking up. “That’s great! I know that you haven’t exactly had the best track record with men, but if Lance is helping you, I can be at ease.”

“You really think that he will be able to help me find someone who won’t hurt or leave me?” I ask, once again considering the possibility. “Because I’m honestly not sure.”

“I do,” she responds happily. “If anyone can help you find your perfect match, it is him. Have you set up a date yet, or are you still in the beginnings of your matchmaking?”

“Actually,” I say slowly, deciding that maybe talking to her about Thomas would help get me in the right mood for my date the following evening. “I do have a date with a man who frequents my shop.”

“How is he?” Noel asks. “Is he kind? Handsome? Does he look like he’s packing?”

“Noel!” I gasp, giggling. “How can you ask such a thing?”

“Oh, come on, girl!” She huffs. “Don’t try to act so innocent. Sure, emotional compatibility with someone is great, but you need to have physical compatibility too, and to have that, you need a man that knows how to please.”

A man who knows how to please. This single phrase leaves me blushing, as I can’t help but let Thomas’ image come to me, and when it does, I focus my gaze below the belt, where there is a sizeable bulge. Just from that I was certain that he would be able to please, but would we get that far? Or would our date be a bomb, and I would never get the chance to see?

“He’s handsome.” I say now, deciding to not think too hard on it. “He’s kind, and he listened intently when I talked. I think that we could hit it off, but I won’t know for sure until my date tomorrow.”

“I’m happy for you, girl.” Noel says, making me feel a little more at ease. “I’m sure that if Lance suggested him for you, then he will be a good guy.”

“Yeah,” I murmur. “Tell me, how many men did you meet before Trevor?”

“Let’s see.” She responds. “There were three or four, but those didn’t work out because we just didn’t click, you know?”

“Emotionally or physically?” I ask her, knowing that she probably hopped in the bed with them on the first or second date since that was the way she had to feed. It was just the way of the succubus.

“Emotionally, obviously.” She huffs. “Physically they were great, but a good f**k doesn’t make a good lasting relationship. Of course, it is a perk if they’re good in bed, but if they don’t connect with me emotionally, then it just isn’t worth it to me.”

“But Trevor was different, huh?”

“He was.” She sighs, her voice filling with an emotion that I wasn’t used to hearing from her. “He’s the total package, and I’m lucky that I found him before another woman did.”

“You’re lucky.” I agree. “Here’s hoping that I end up being the same.”

“You will.” She tells me. “I’m certain that you will find the right man for you through this matchmaking. After all, Lance has to keep going so that he doesn’t suffer divine punishment for not succeeding.”