Adriana took my hand before I could stop her. Her power slid into me like a blade, reading my heart.
“Then you are a fool, brother. A fool who doesn’t even know his own heart. Stop fighting it—or it will drive you mad.”
I ripped my hand away, breathing unsteadily, shaken by her revelation.
“I can’t love her. She’s meant for another. Her true love.”
Adriana’s golden eyes softened, pitying me. “Brother, your love is true. I can feel it.”
“If only that were enough,” I whispered, the words tasting like ash. I forced myself to straighten, to sound composed. “Thank you both again for all your help. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I strode off but not before I could hear Cai say, “I don’t think we will be able to help him find who he is looking for.”
His words stung like a harsh truth, but for her I would leave no stone unturned.
Chapter XXXVII
Demi
“AmIbeingfoolish?”Laila asked.
I tried to give her my full attention, but my eyes kept flicking around the lobby. Cameras were everywhere, and I knew they were catching every glance.
It wasn’t just nerves. I was waiting. Watching. Hoping someone would appear.
Meanwhile, I kept finding myself giving free therapy sessions to anyone who sat near me. I felt like Lucy from the old Charlie Brown cartoons, sitting in her booth with the “Psychiatric Help 5¢” sign. Maybe I should have charged a nickel too.
Truth was, I needed therapy myself.
I had two weeks before the full moon, and things weren’t going as well as I’d planned. Ratings were up, sure. And even though I’d cried during Jonas’s serenade, people still thought there was something between me and Roman. Apparently, during our last interview, people had gotten the vibe that we were just having a spat and that Roman loathed Jonas. To be fair, Roman did seem to flinch each time he said Jonas’s name. People were smarter than I gave them credit for.
Now, the internet was buzzing with hashtags and memes.Free Romi!It was a cute couple name.
Roman and I weren’t exactly mad at each other—we were just ignoring each other. It wasn’t what I wanted, but I also didn’t want to keep torturing him and making him think he was being dishonorable.
All this meant was that I had to up my game. My game that would hopefully kill two birds with one stone . . . or hatch two couples from one secret plot. If Cassie and Jonas would quit being so stubborn, that is.
I’d thought that by now my game would have already started. I kept waiting for someone, anyone, to rush through the lobby doors to let me know it had.
In the meantime, I scooted closer to Laila on the couch, keeping my view of the entrance clear.
“I don’t think you’re a fool to want to give Carter another chance,” I said, forcing my voice steady. “Yes, he’s made some questionable dating decisions. But he never cheated on you. And the reason he broke up with you is—well, for one, he’s an idiot.”
Laila grinned, her shoulders relaxing.
“But honestly,” I continued, “it was because he was in a bad spot. His basketball career was ending, not on a high note, and his past made him question if he was even worthy of you. Obviously, the answer is no.”
I nudged her playfully. “With that said, I think he’d really like the chance to try to be. And I don’t think you’d be here if you didn’t believe he was worth the risk.”
She nibbled her lower lip. “I just don’t want to give him the power to hurt me again.”
I took her hand. “Then don’t. Go into it this time knowing that if he walks away again, you’ll be better for it. And don’t forget that you don’t have to stay if you feel like it’s not working.”
She thought about it, her features softening into a smile. “I like that. How do you always know the right things to say?”
“My father likes to think of himself as a relationship expert.” I laughed, though it was true. Eros was the ultimate relationship guru.
Well—until he sent his daughter on a quest with her soulmate, who didn’t even recognize that that’s what she was.
