In Her Dreams

the ceiling.
My heart goes out to him for how confusing it must be to be a dream fae in the human realm.
But already, I yearn to return to Jen and check in on her. I don’t want her to worry.
“I guess you can stay for a while,” he says. “But I’m watching you.”
“Watch me carefully,” I say, moving to the door and putting a hand on the doorframe. “I promise I’ll show you who I am.”
He nods but keeps his eyes on the ceiling, zooming his superhero around.
I smile and leave, closing the door behind me.
Time to go see Jen and work everything out.

5
Jen
I watched from a distance as Reve talked to Joey and listened for any signs of problems.
Honestly, though, I don’t know how to face Reve when he comes back.
I want to be mad at him for coming into my world, but I think I’m just mad at myself for being in this situation.
What is he going to say? Is he going to yell at me for lying to him?
My heart begins to race, remembering how little it took to make Mark angry. And violent.
But when Reve appears around the corner of the hallway, just seeing his calm, patient, always-loving face is a huge relief.
I run up to hug him, throwing my arms around him. I bury my face in his chest because, after weeks of being with him in my dreams, wishing I could have more of him, it’s a relief to just be together with him.
No more secrets between us.
Plus, I’m afraid to let go of him and see his face and hear what he has to say.
“Hey,” he says, his hand cupping my face. “Have you eaten dinner? Can I cook for you both? We can talk in the kitchen while I work.”
I nod, feeling my stomach grumble. Everything’s easier not hungry. “So you aren’t mad at me? For keeping him from you?”
“You made him a promise, right? Not to date again. I understand I put you in a hard position. But why would I be mad? I’m still just happy and grateful to be with you.” He smiles at me, beaming, genuinely not seeming bothered. “Dream mate, I’m just glad you exist. Every day by your side is a gift I could never deserve.”
“That’s not true,” I say. “I tried to keep you away. I tried to hide that—”
Reve pulls a book down from the cupboard and flips through it. “Which of these recipes do you and Joey both like?”
I hesitate. “I haven’t gone shopping…”
Reve shakes his head. “Doesn’t matter. Just show me which you want. I can rearrange matter as needed.”
Feeling in a daze but aware that I can deal with all of this better once I’ve eaten, I walk over and open to a page with meatloaf and steamed carrots that Joey likes.
I’ve never been picky.
“Give me a few minutes. You go get dressed in something comfy. Take a load off your feet.”
Of course having him here would be wonderful. Of course he would just start making everything perfect as he does when we’re together in my dreams.
So I walk to my room, almost in a daze but kind of glad Reve is here now that Mark seems to be back.
But how to explain any of this? Do I tell him I was just a foolish teenager? That I knew Mark was bad but I didn’t feel like I had any choice for a long time? That I fell in love with Joey on the first ultrasound, and I could never see life without him?
I know he wasn’t born with my so-called dream mate, but he’s the most important part of my life.
Then again, Reve seems to understand it, and I didn’t hear Joey yell or throw anything, so that means he’s mostly okay with things too.
What did Reve even say?
I’m assuming he knew not to just talk about being an immortal fairy.
I change into comfy sweats and pull a robe on over them along with rabbit slippers in gray.
By the time I make it into the living room, the smell of delicious gravy is filling the air along with a sweet tang of caramelized carrots.
He hands me a plate. “Here. You want to take this to Joey? I think he’ll probably want to eat in his room.”
I wonder how he picked up on that. Joey doesn’t like eating at the dinner table. It reminds him of Mark when he’d be scolding and controlling.
I take the plate to Joey, who still seems a bit irritated as he refuses to meet my eyes but takes the plate.
Just as he’s about to close the door again, he shoots me a look. “Reve seems nice. But you did say you wouldn’t date again, and—”
“And if you don’t want me to—”
Joey holds the plate awkwardly, staring down at it. “I guess I shouldn’t really decide how you do things. I’m just a kid.”
“Well, you’ve already paid for my bad choices.”
He glares at me. “Don’t say that.” He sets the plate on his bed and comes back to hug me. “Look, I’ll try to be okay with it.” He pulls back. “I just don’t want you to get hurt. But Reve seems nice.” His lip twitches. “Weird but nice. I’m gonna game now, okay? With Jared.”
“Right,” I say, glad that he’s had such a good gaming buddy lately. It’s kept him busy and happy. He doesn’t always get along with a lot of other kids since he’s so untrusting. “You have fun. I’ll just be out talking to Reve, okay?”
“Okay,” Joey says. He shuts the door, and I hear him talking on the mic a moment later.
I sigh, knowing everything should be okay at least for now.
I guess I knew, in the end, Joey would be happy for me, but I feel like such a failure for already giving him a low opinion of men.
“Hey, get in here and have some dinner,” Reve says, grabbing me around the waist and leading me to the table.
As he