Page 82 of Demon's Heart
“That’s a lot of cherries.”
“This soda isn’t exactly small.” Dante lifted his pint glass.
“No, it’s fine. Good to know how many cherries you need for when I take you out next time.”
Dante grinned.
The bartender returned, dropping off a small bowl of cherries.
“See.” Dante pointed. “Why have the perfect bowl if it’s too many cherries?”
“I’m pretty sure that’s meant for nuts or pretzels.” Ollie popped a cherry in his mouth. “Yum. This might actually be the superior snack option.”
Dante leaned in and kissed the sweetness from his lips. “Then it’s a good thing I ordered enough to share with my mate.”
23
OLLIE
Ollie glancedover his shoulder and caught Harper’s eye as he and Ash stood from the booth. Harper pointed to the door, and Ollie threw him a wave.
“I think everyone is leaving.”
Dante followed his gaze. “Would you like to head home with Harper?”
Ollie placed a hand on Dante’s chest. “I was actually hoping you’d take me home.”
“Of course I’ll walk you home.”
“No, take me home. To your place.”
Dante’s eyes widened. “Oh.”
“You’re getting lucky on this date. You played all your cards right.”
A new perspective on fate and their bond changed everything. It all lined up, and Ollie needed to give in to the bubbly feeling coursing through him.
This thing with Dante was going to work out. It wasn’t a trap. Fate didn’t rob him of choice. It was a guarantee. A safety net. Ollie could take all the risks he’d been afraid of, and the bond would protect him, give him the security to make the rightchoices. He’d figure out how to be with Dante without losing himself because, in the end, they were meant to be.
Maybe it wouldn’t always be smooth sailing, but what was?
When Ollie cleared his mind of worries about magic, he saw how right Dante was for him. Dante was dependable and consistent. When he said something, he followed through. His values and actions aligned. There was no hidden agenda or two-faced switch coming. He was the kind of person it was safe to take risks with.
Ollie could trust himself with Dante, something he hadn’t done with anyone since that first toxic relationship. He’d been too afraid to give himself credit, but when he stopped doubting himself, he could admit he already knew how to do the right things.
He’d been doing them already. Taking space, being intentional, not aiming to please at the expense of himself, taking things slow. It wasn’t only that the bondguaranteed a good outcome. It reminded Ollie he could do this. The bond was his. It came from him rather than influenced him. He could do this.
“I played my cards right?” Dante’s brow wrinkled and his lips curved in a crooked smile. “Enough for you to brave flying?”
“Let’s say my desire to explore that giant bed of yours is enough to brave flying.”
With what sounded like a growl, Dante took Ollie’s hand and pulled him toward the door. They left without looking back and wandered the streets until they found a deserted back lot.
“Are you sure you don’t mind flying?” Dante asked after casting his invisibility illusion. “I was going to create a harness to strap you to me so you’d feel more secure if we did this again. But I haven’t made it yet.”
Ollie covered his mouth. “A harness? That’s so kinky of you, Dante.”
His cheeks darkened. “Is it?”
