“My name is Love. What… what would make this worth your time?” I say.
Clearly, the way I’ve approached my little problem before didn’t work. Perhaps I could trade something so he’ll come to the party with me.
He tilts his head at me, looking me up and down.
“What is it that you want?” he asks.
“Could we possibly go somewhere else?” I ask, looking down the sterile hallway.
“Does death scare you, Love?” he asks with a slight smirk.
“No, I just thought somewhere with a little less human activity,” I lie.
He holds out his hand, a shadowy mist swirling around his wrist. His cool fingers wrap around mine as he portals us to a park just outside the hospital.
He drops my hand immediately, and it takes me a moment to get my brain back online so I can speak again.
“I’d like for you to attend the Valentine’s Day Ball with me, as my date,” I say plainly. “I’m willing to trade whatever you want for a few hours of your time.”
He tilts his head as he looks down at me, his face unreadable.
“And why on earth would you want to bring a reaper to your little love fest?” he questions.
Honesty is the best policy, at least I fucking hope so.
“Well… my ex broke up with me when he found out I was up for a big award at the ball, and he’s bringing his new girlfriend. In a moment of weakness, I may have said that I was bringing a date, and now I really need to show up with a handsome date and win that award so I can rub it in his stupid pink face.”
He blinks at me; his face is unreadable, but I swear there’s a tick in his jaw. I can’t tell if he wants to choke me, make me disappear, or fuck me.
“He’s a real dick, my ex. I figured bringing a reaper would really piss him off.”
“You’re being petty then?” he asks.
“Yes, very much so. Like I said, I’m willing to trade whatever you want,” I plead.
“What happens at this party?” he asks, his eyebrow arching.
Okay… maybe honesty isn’t the best policy. I don’t want to scare him off with what actually goes down. So I keep it simple with my answer.
“Drinks, bacon wrapped scallops, the awards, and dancing,” I reply and the reaper looks me up and down.
“Surely there’s a cupid that could take you to this party.”
“I don’t want a cupid,” I snap back, putting my hands on my hips.
A smirk takes over his perfectly handsome face as he crosses his arms.
“It sounds like quite the favor. Not only will every cupid be gawking at me all night, but I’ll have to actively try to be nice to that lot of love-crazed lunatics.”
“You don’t have to be nice. In fact, you can be as mean as you want,” I reply, truly meaning it. “Especially to Eros.”
He hears my ex’s name and his dark eyes twinkle for a moment.
“I might be willing to help you, little cupid. But for a price,” he says.
“Name it.”
There’s no fucking way I’m going to this party alone. I need to see Eros’ smug face fall as I walk into the party with a super-hot reaper on my arm and collect my award. Surely if the reaper isn’t up for the after party, he’ll leave, but part of me is sincerely hoping he’s down for a little fun.
