But Paloma’s captain? I didn’t know. Something in me said he wasn’t as great as she thought he was. I would have to do more research.
I was still having a hard time trusting that part of me.
“I know it doesn’t make sense to let him help me given . . . you know.”
Cassie didn’t even blink. “Oh, I know. Doesheknow?”
“Of course not.” Although we’d kind of skirted around it with the whole when-we-met conversation. Weird that he’d seemed genuinely sorry he’d been so disappointed when we met. I had to wonder what would have happened had things gone differently that night.
On the tragic night, I’d thought I’d worn my best black dress for him and tried to do something with my hair. But I’d neglected it and damaged it for so long, it wouldn’t behave how I wanted it to. And I was so unsure of myself, I’d worn enormous glasses like they could protect me somehow. But I just knew that he would love me despite everything. That he would see through what had become my costume. I’d even hidden a plate of chocolate peanut butter cookies behind my back because I knew they were his favorite. Those cookies, like my heart, ended up in the trash.
I picked at a blade of grass beside me, twisting it until it snapped.
“I can’t tell him there’s the tiniest chance he’s my true love. And I’m pretty sure it’s almost a zero percent chance.” I paused. “I let him hug me for an inordinate amount of time last night. Just to see if he could unlock my heart. And believe me, his god side went hardcore trying to break in. And he had no luck.”
Had I kind of enjoyed it? Yes. I wasn’t admitting that out loud, though. And I think it had less to do with his rock-hard body and the way he smelled like cedar and cinnamon and more to do with the way my heart felt alive when we touched. Like something inside me had stirred.
Cassie blinked. “Okay, that’s weird. Why would he try so hard? That’s not normal.”
“Well, I’m not normal. My heart’s locked. Cupids aren’t used to that.”
“Maybe,” she said slowly, not sounding convinced. “But, Demi, I say this as someone who cares about you—this is insane. And need I remind you, we’re not even sure your goddess lied to you.”
I swished my feet in the creek, watching the ripples fan out like tiny spells. The water was cool and steadying. But my chest felt tight. “Except that he hasn’t been able to unlock my heart.”
Cassie tilted her head. “Did you ever stop to think . . . maybe it’s him that needs to do it? Not his divine side?”
I swallowed hard. That possibility hadn’t crossed my mind. Not once. And now that it had—I wasn’t sure I liked how it felt.
“But . . . it’s one and the same, right? And Roman hasn’t been able to do it either.”
“Has he even tried? And you know as well as I do that being a demigoddess means having two sides. Most of the time they work together—one heart, two minds. But sometimes the mortal half just can’t see what the divine half already knows.”
“You’re not making me feel better here.”
She nudged me with her shoulder. “I’m just trying to make sure you’re going into this so-called friendship with Roman with your eyes wide open. And I really don’t want you to get kicked out of our world. Even if that means you have to be in love with Roman. I will learn how to tolerate him for you.”
“Cassie, it can’t be him,” I whined. “If it is, why all this?” I waved at the beautiful scenery around us. “I’ve known Roman for years now. Sure, it’s been mostly antagonistic. And let’s not forget he’s the big reason I locked my heart in the first place. Also, if he was my true love, wouldn’t my heart automatically just unlock?”
Cassie shrugged, her gaze drifting to the water. “I don’t know, girl. True love is so rare, I’m not sure anyone knows exactly how it works. And if it’s true that Roman is it for you,sure, it would be a weird twist of fate. But the gods like that sort of thing. I mean, look at your dad and Psyche’s story. Fate is a fickle creature, and the gods love wielding her to their advantage.”
The more Cassie said, the more my insides churned. Could Roman really be my destiny? Would he even want to be? And if he was . . . how in the world were we supposed to fall in love in the next five weeks? In love enough to unlock my heart and true love?
We weren’t even supposed to be fraternizing. Much less dating. And let’s not forget—I had an entire schedule of dates with other men ahead of me. Men I already knew weren’t meant for me.
Then there was the whole enemies-to-lovers thing. Again. A sexy trope in books and on-screen, but it didn’t always work out so well in the real world. It was so against my rules. Rules I was trying my best to get past.
Granted, I didn’t have any rules about fated love. Mostly because I’d stopped believing in it after my own debacle.
“This is so messed up.”
Cassie laughed, tossing a pebble into the creek. “Welcome to the world of gods and goddesses.”
Before I could respond, my name drifted through the air, light and lyrical.
“Deeemiiii,” Junie sang.
Cassie leaned in, whispering, “Is that Roman’s daughter?”
