Page 35 of Love & Heart Braking

“He hates my guts.”

“I don’t think that’s true.”

She lifted her head. “Really?”

Bain was so focused on taking the twelve out that his journey to love involved realizing revenge made a cold companion. Soleil was already realizing that maybe her journey involved focusing on things other than her feather. “Bain has operated alone for a long time. He may be a little rusty on the dating front.”

Soleil straightened, her eyes popping. “Dating front? You think I should date the guy?”

“Isn’t that where you were going with this conversation?”

“He turned down my offer of a drink. And my kiss too.”

“He’s stopped drinking, and he kissed you at the bank, remember? When you were sober. What if you ask him again? But try something non-drinking related.”

She frowned. “What’s the point though? He’s not my exact match, and you said I won’t be happy with anyone less.”

Words I regretted sharing with her. “Sol, you can’t put your happiness on pause—nor companionship—waiting for the perfect guy to arrive. If he does, then you handle the conflict then. Falling out of love isn’t a tidy business, but the heart rises and falls, and we can only be swept away in its waters when the river breaks the dam.”

The siren pulled a face. “You want me to drown?”

“I thought the water metaphor was going somewhere better. I’m telling you to go for it. You liking a guy is rare to the point of never happening before. You’d kick yourself for letting Bain go.”

She hummed after a beat. “You know what? I probably would.”

Definitely would.

“I have no idea where to start,” Soleil confessed.

Bain hadn’t failed to notice my friend. She’d only missed his covert looks while so tied up with her confusing feelings for him. Classic romantic angst.

I’d meant it when I said the unicorn was rusty. A slow smile spread across my lips. “I might have a few ideas, my friend.”

9

The bell chimed.

“Hey, Bain,” I murmured. “I just have a quick phone call to make, then I’ll be with you.”

He bowed slightly, already looking around for a certain siren.

“Soleil’s running an errand. She’ll be back soon.” And ready to roll out Operation Horny Unicorny.

A wrinkle appeared between his brows. “I must confess my initial impressions of your friend are proving incorrect.”

I picked up the phone. “She gets that a lot. For the rest of her life, she’ll be compared to a family she loathes. It really hurts her feelings.”

His rainbow eyes fixed on me. “I hurt her feelings then.”

“You did. She wasn’t herself for a couple of weeks after.”

The unicorn clenched his jaw. “It was foolish of me to make such comments. I wonder if my drive to see justice served hasn’t made me tunnel-visioned.”

“Like you’ve got blinders on?” I dialed the number, then looked up to catch Bain’s glare. “Solid no on horse jokes. Roger that.”

I grinned, then returned to my desk.

The ringing on the other end of the phone cut off. “Hello?”

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