Chapter XXXIII
Demi
“HowdoIlook?”
I twirled in my denim dress and cowboy boots, the skirt flaring just enough to make me feel like I belonged in the Wild West.
Cassie didn’t even glance up from her phone. Her scowl was answer enough. “Jonas is a dead man.”
I froze mid-spin. “What? Why?”
And just like that, I forgot all about what I’d been calling my “date” with Roman.
Not that it was a real date. He was sneaking me into Jackson Hole under the guise of finding my true love. Because Roman still hadn’t figured out that it was him. And he thought we were wasting precious time.
I dropped onto the couch beside Cassie and leaned over to peek at her phone.
She was watching the new sneak peek clips ofLove Unscripted.
My stomach knotted. I’d been dreading their release, knowing they’d milk every ounce of “drama” between Jonas and me.
But what choice did I have?
If I wanted to help Roman save his ridiculous show—and prove I was his soulmate—I had to play along. It sounded noble enough on paper. Until I saw Jonas smirk on-screen and say, “How do you know it wasn’t she who hurt me?”
Then the voice-over cut in, slick and merciless: “Stay tuned to find out what Demi did to Jonas. What secrets is she hiding?”
The words hit harder than I’d expected.
Secrets. Lies. Betrayal.
“In all fairness, Jonas warned me—he said that by accident. Apparently Roman got under his skin, and he forgot to keep it vague, and you know they’ve been dying to paint me as the villain this season. And honestly, itwasme who hurt him. And I still feel awful about it.”
I gave a half smile, though it felt more like a grimace.
“On the bright side, if this whole thing crashes, I’ll probably forget who I am anyway. No memory, no embarrassment. And if Roman does somehow manage to unlock my heart . . . well, I’ll just leave the mortal world behind. Or beg Zeus to make it all go away somehow.”
This did nothing to soothe Cassie’s ire.
“Regardless, you weren’t supposed to end up the villain. I think Jonas needs a little reminder about the plan.”
I stifled my grin. I’d been hoping she would say something like this.
“Uh, yeah, he does. Would you mind talking to him tonight?”
Jonas and Cassie didn’t know it yet, but they belonged together. Believe me, no one was more surprised by this revelation than I was. But I was absolutely certain of it.
I’d been scheming ways to get them alone, just the two of them. I couldn’t make it obvious—and it was against our laws to give a love pulse to another divine being. Too many disasters had come from misusing those in the past.
“Oh, I’ll do more than talk to him,” Cassie snapped. “I’m going to rip him a new one—and maybe try out that new hex fromMagic Weekly.”
I giggled, appreciating her concern more than she’d ever know.
“Don’t go too crazy. He feels awful about it. And remember, I am the one in the wrong here, and he’s doing me a huge favor.”
Cassie tossed her phone aside.
“Please, he’s a grown freaking man. And I’ve heard rumors about him. He’s dated every goddess and demigoddess from here to India. It’s not like he’s withered away pining for you. After I’m done with him, he won’t slip up again. And by the way, you look amazing. Very cowgirl chic.”
