Page 22 of Love & Heart Braking

Devereaux shrugged out of his leather jacket and set it across my shoulders. “You think?”

I snorted. “I think we might need to talk.”

He lowered his head to mine in a way that told me the third consequence for the night wouldn’t be far away. “We do, sweetheart. Because there’s no way you’re going into this alone. Got it?”

This could be an answer I’d regret for the rest of my days, but…

“Got it,” I said softly.

6

I hurried into Yearning Hearts, quickly shutting the door. “Spring’s supposed to be warmer.”

Soleil handed me a coffee. “You say that every year. Where did you rush off to last night?”

“Yeah, so Devereaux was there. You heard him, too, right?”

“Sure did. Were you fuming?”

“Understatement.” I sipped at the shit one-scoop coffee, grimacing. “He came after me. Wanted answers after what he heard in there.”

Her green eyes rounded. “What did you say?”

“I’ll tell you after my morning clients.”

Soleil narrowed her gaze. “Cerys Concordia, I will beat you to death to get answers.”

Smirking at her, I then thought back. “I yelled at him, then tried to make a dramatic carriage escape. But he got in the carriage too.”

“As you secretly hoped he would,” she said.

“Of course. Then I made a dramatic exit into Juno Park. Torrential rain. I took refuge in the pergola, and he came after me again.”

She waggled her brows. “And you declared your love for him.”

I fell quiet and regarded her over my coffee.

Soleil lowered her cup, shock coating her beautiful features. “You told Devereaux you loved him.”

“Let’s talk after work.” I put down my coffee and zapped my computer.

In a whoosh, Soleil towered over me, hands gripping my armrests. “Don’t pick fights with people who have fangs. Did you say the words?”

“I shouted it in his face.”

“Reenact it!”

Yikes. Fending off her jabbing fingers, I did as requested and sat again after.

Soleil had both hands over her mouth, tears shone in her green eyes. “In Juno’s pergola too. That’s a sign. You’re totally going to marry the guy one day. And I can’t believe how cliché you somehow made that entire thing. I’m impressed. What did he say in return?”

“He kind of growl-whispered the words like a hot guy would, you know? All sexy and protective.”

Soleil pitched her voice low. “I love you, Cerys.”

“Kind of. But obviously better.”

The siren returned to her chair where she spun around in fast circles, cackling.

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