Page 116 of Okay, Cupid

Because that’s what this job requires.

Letting them go.

For a moment I think about doing the spell now, erasing their memories, leaving them both wondering just why they’re so far away from their homes.

But I can’t bring myself to do it.

Because I’m a coward.

I want to speak to Huy anyway. Maybe it’s the wrong move, but Alice is right. I want the closure.

An hour later, I’m starving, and get to making ramen on the stove because the night has gotten cold, and I want something warm and easy to eat. I haven’t been doing that enough. I just don’t have an appetite right now. And it’s probably something I should talk to Leah about.

She comes home just as I’m sitting in front of the couch.

“Oh, hey. You packed?” she asks.

“Yeah, a little. I wasn’t sure what I should leave out.”

“Well, Richard offered some advice,” she says, leaving her bag in the dining room before she walks back through to the living room. “He’s securing us a few options, and I’ll probably make my decision at the end of the week.”

“Okay.” My ears perk up at the mention of Richard. I want to know what she told him, and at the same time, I can’t imagine knowing what he thinks of me now. Failing him twice like I did, it’s a mark on his pride, I’m sure. “What did he say?”

“Just that it’s last minute, but he could help out.”

“No, I mean about me. What did he say?”

Leah’s shoulders slump. “I think it’s best that I don’t tell you. It’s nothing that you need to know.”

“Leah,” I plead. “Please.”

“Well … he didn’t say anything, really. He just hummed, nodded.”

“That’s all?” Though coming from Richard, that should probably be considered a slap to the face.

“Mhmm.” Leah makes her lips vanish in a straight line, and she avoids making eye contact. The telltale signs that she’s lying to me.

“Leah.”

“What?”

“Is that all he said?”

“Yes, Jude. That’s all that he said.”

“I don’t believe you.”

She scoffs at that. “What could I be hiding?”

“I don’t know. That’s why I asked you.”

“You don’t need to worry yourself with what he said.”

“So, he did say something.”

I hear her whisper “Shoot!” under her breath. “It was nothing important.”

“Leah, please.”