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“That’s really special,” Hazel says, looking over at me with a soft smile. “I’m really happy for you.”

Before I can properly ask her what that even means, Dean is starting the timer. I sit back against the couch, watching him act out a few things. He’s kind of clumsy but very earnest in his actions.

Hazel is currently stuck guessing one thing. Dean starts to get playfully frustrated. It’s so obvious that he’s trying to communicate a kiss on the cheek, how is she not getting it? Finally, Dean strides forward and kisses Nix on the cheek, waving his hands around in a ‘this is what I mean’ way.

I’m struck square in the chest, like a bat’s been swung at me. I suck in a sharp breath, my entire body going tense.

“Oh! A kiss on the cheek!” Hazel calls out just as the timer goes off. She turns towards me, giving me a wink.

Nix looks like he’s on cloud nine. His cheeks are red and he can’t stop grinning.

I replay the image over and over inside my head. The sight of Dean kissing Nix’s cheek should make me feel sick to my stomach. It should be a physical reminder of what I can’t have. I see it behind my closed lids and I’m filled with warmth.

What the fuck is going on with me?

I can’t deny that the two of them look perfect together. They look like they’re meant to be, like a rom-com couple awkwardly figuring out they like each other. I liked seeing them kiss like that.

I want to see them do more than kiss. I want them both to turn their head and see me watching. I want them both to decide to kiss me too.

Fuck.

Things start rapid fire going off inside my head. Their soul tie was clear as day but I never looked down at myself. I never checked to see where my own soul ties went. By the way Hazel keeps looking at me, I have a feeling she knows where my own lead.

I do my best to focus on the game. It’s no surprise that at the end of two rounds, Nix and I come out on top, by a pretty big margin. The rest of the night is filled with random board games we find on Dean’s shelves. We play, we chat, we learn more about each other. Everything feels so incredibly easy with Dean and Hazel.

At the end of the night, as Nix is saying good night to Dean, I grab Hazel’s wrist.

“Hazel,” I whisper so only she can hear me. “Can I ask you something?”

Hazel’s eyebrows shoot up to her hairline before her face softens. “Of course, Kassian. What’s up?”

“It’s about my soul ties.”

Hazel grins before telling me everything.

Chapter Nine

Nix

I sit down and pull open my folder filled with today’s agenda and agreement with the cafe we’re currently using for our meet and greet. A little pink envelope catches my eye.

“What’s this?” I murmur to myself.

Kassian is suddenly there, peering over my shoulder. “Huh? Is that a love note?”

“I’m not sure,” I tell him honestly, pulling the envelope out fully. It must have gotten shuffled into our things by accident. The name on the front says ‘Mars’.

“Oh my gods,” Kassian hisses out, grabbing the envelope out of the folder. He lifts it to his nose, smelling it. “It’s sprayed with perfume and everything! And look, the outside has a lipstick kiss!”

“Who the fuck has access to our things? How did it get here?”

Before we can fully discuss everything, someone clears their voice at the door. We both look up, wincing. I suddenly feel like a child again, being caught with my hand in the cookie jar.

“What’s up, Mars?” Kassian says, pretending like we weren’t just talking about him.

“Sorry for the intrusion,” he says softly. “The cafe owner is getting ready to open the door and I wanted to make sure you’re both ready.”

“As ready as we’ll ever be!” I say brightly.