He scrubbed a hand over his neatly manicured beard, frustration etched into every line of him.
“Except I’m constantly getting calls from the studio heads reminding me not to fall for you. And it’s not a good look for the show.”
“Are you falling for me?” I asked softly, almost daring him.
His eyes locked on mine, stormy and unflinching. Frustration rolled off him.
“You know damn well how I feel. You read me like a book. And you”—his voice broke—“you’re a puzzle. One I want to solve, but can’t. And probably shouldn’t.”
I edged closer, careful not to spook him.
“What do you want to know about me? I’ll tell you.”
He tilted his face toward the sky, as if searching for mercy he knew wouldn’t come.
“I want to know everything. But I fear that will only make me want you more. And I’m not meant to have you. I won’t torture myself. And I won’t be a selfish excuse for a man who stands in the way of you finding your true love.”
If only he knew. He wasn’t standing in the way—he was the way. He was the sweetest idiot alive, and his own biggest obstacle.
I took his hand, and when he tried to pull away, I held tighter, refusing to let him sever the connection. I needed him to remember.
“Would it make you feel any better if I told you I was falling for you? Well . . . as much as my locked heart will allow.”
His jaw clenched. “No. It makes me feel like a prick.”
The words cut deeper than I wanted to admit. Why couldn’t he see how much I was laying it on the line for him? I blew out a breath and let his hand slip from mine.
“Maybe we shouldn’t do this. Or maybe I’ll just go alone.”
I had no idea how I’d get to town, but I’d figure it out. Cassie could probably conjure me a car or something. Maybe she would want to come with me. I could do with some girl talk and retail therapy.
“I promised I would help you find your true love, and I meant it.” He marched ahead without looking back. “We’d better hurry.”
If only I could tell him the truth—that he was my true love.
Instead, I followed, knowing this was going to be a long, long night.
Chapter XXXIV
Roman
IwatchedasDemismiled at the shootout reenactment in the town square. Actors burst into the street—outlaws swaggering with pistols drawn, lawmen barking challenges, saloon girls twirling their skirts as the crowd roared with delight. The crack of blanks echoed off the wooden storefronts, smoke filtering into the July air, while tourists jostled for the perfect photo.
She was close enough to touch, her laughter carrying over the chaos, but the distance between us felt impossible to bridge. The staged gunfire was all for show, yet the ache in my chest was real.
I hated it—the silence between us, the restraint I forced on myself—but that was the way it had to be. And although it gutted me to stand apart, at least I could console myself that I wasn’t being a cad. That I wouldn’t be the reason she didn’t find her true love.
While Demi watched the scene, I scanned the crowd for any men I thought might be worthy of her. I wasn’t going to go around and just touch anyone to get a read on them.
Each man who came into view made my stomach twist into knots; I was revolted at the thought of anyone touchingher but me. Even my god side seemed not to want to participate and was deafeningly silent. This wasn’t the least bit helpful. Not only were we on a time crunch tonight, but in a few weeks’ time, the August full moon would appear.
The thought of forgetting Demi hollowed me out. The void inside me yawned wider, like a black hole—endless, merciless, swallowing everything I was.
I turned, hoping Demi was having better luck than me, but she was gone.
Panic surged through me as I scanned the crowd. Tourists pressed shoulder to shoulder, cameras flashing, voices rising in laughter. I couldn’t even call out her name—one slip, and someone might pierce her glamour. We should have thought of code names.
Except, she hadn’t said a word on the drive into town, just kept looking my way and shaking her head in frustration. Did she think I wasn’t honored she was falling for me? I was more than honored. She could read me—she knew I wanted to know her in every way. But I was trying to do the noble thing.
