“I wouldn’t call this a hex,” she said breezily. “It’s more like a charm.”
“Charm?” I scoffed. “I don’t care what you call it—just don’t do it.”
She finally offered me the courtesy of really looking at me, one brow arched, her fresh face glowing in the early-morning light, free of glasses, looking more attractive than one should be allowed to. This wasn’t helping the situation at all. Especially because I had the sudden urge to tell her which poster I’d had of her.
It had to be Zeus.
I clenched my jaw. He wasn’t getting away with it this time. I couldn’t understand why he would want me to say such things to her. My job here was to help her find love with another cast member. Period.
“I don’t know why you’re complaining. It clearly didn’t work on you. If anything, I should be the one who’s annoyed. Can’t a girl just go on a run in peace?”
“You promised you would stay in your cabin.”
“Did I, though?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
That earned me a half smile—quick, reluctant, but far too dazzling.
We ran in silence for a few beats, side by side, our footsteps syncing like some cruel metaphor.
Then Demi picked up the pace. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
I matched her easily. “I promised your father I’d protect you.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t need your protection. I have Lady Goldy.”
“Lady Goldy is your golden eagle?”
“Yes.”
“A rare gift.”
“From my great-grandfather,” she sighed, full of meaning.
I wondered if she wasn’t happy with him either.
“You know he’s meddling, right?”
Her brow furrowed. “I figured he would. But how?”
“You didn’t think it was strange how easy I went on you last night?”
She stopped short, blinking. And then it hit her—like a switch flipped behind her eyes.
“Ohhh. That’s why you were nice. That makes much more sense. Anytime you’re kind to me, I’ll know it’s Zeus, not you. Got it.”
Her words landed harder than I’d expected. Not that I didn’t understand why she’d think that. But damn it—I was a nice guy.
“Okay, well, thanks for letting me know. Have a good day,” she dismissed me, and took off again.
It was classic Demi. Cutting me off with a smile and a wave, like she lived to see me dejected.
But she was on my turf now. And I wasn’t going to let her get away with it. I caught up with her.
“What is this?” I asked, waving my hand up and down.
She blinked. “What is what?”
