Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 102166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
“Finn doesn’t think so. And I’m sure Henry is likely drafting up some story about me having heat stroke or land-sickness or something.”
“Does land-sickness exist?”
“No, but I’m sure he’s willing to create a disease just to cover up a story about my awful fish puns.”
“I think it’s more the barnacle thing they’re objecting to.”
“Well, whatever it is, I have ‘a period of intense study’ ahead of me.”
“Who said that—Henry?”
“Yeah.”
“The man sounds like a robot.”
“I’m pretty sure he’s made up entirely of ambition and empty campaign promises.”
“And he’s Finn’s best friend. Says something right there. Oh, goddess. What is he doing here?” Selene asked, sighing hard as she stared at someone off in the distance.
Following her gaze, she saw Arden standing near the bend in the road.
“I have no idea.” Sure, Arden was known for dropping in on his own schedule, but that was at the apartment. She had no idea how he’d tracked them to the park. Or why he looked so excited.
“We could just turn around and walk away,” Selene suggested.
“He would totally follow. He has some kind of soul contract with my mother.”
“Demons don’t have souls.”
“A blood oath, then.”
“Are we talking about me?”
“We’re discussing the mediocrity of men in the bedroom. So … probably.”
“Darling, why do you think all the most delicious things in life are associated with the wicked and sinful?” Arden asked, shooting her a look that could be called nothing short of devilish. “Trust me, we throw down in the bedroom.”
“My experience suggests that the men who claim to be good in bed are always the ones who can’t find the clit with both hands and a map.”
“Wanna test that theory?” Arden asked, taking a step closer to Selene, everything about him sparking sexual energy.
Even the usually unflappable Selene seemed a bit, well, flapped.
If Iris hadn’t been watching her friends so closely, she might have missed it.
The strange static in the air that had the hairs on Iris’s arms rising. Then the flash around Selene’s hand. Like a dozen itty-bitty fires.
She lifted her hand and pressed it into Arden’s chest.
Anyone else would have jumped, yelped, tried to get away from the heat.
Arden leaned in, giving Selene eye contact—his eyes blazing red around the irises—that gave Iris secondhand trembles.
“I didn’t think you liked it kinky,” he said, lips teasing up at the edges.
Defeated, Selene dropped her hand. “Huh. I didn’t know you like women,” she said, brows scrunched.
“Oh, my sweet summer witch, I’m pansexual. Anybody can get this,” he said, waving down at his body.
“Interesting. Learn something new every day,” Selene said, but Iris noticed how she put some distance between them. She was clearly more affected by that intense, flirty little interaction than she wanted to admit.
“Arden, what are you doing here?” Iris asked.
“A little pelican told me he saw you heading in this direction. He was having brunch with a very famous movie star, by the way. That bird is going places.”
The sting of his absence ached less with each passing day. And as much as she loved that bird more than almost anything, she found that as her world broadened, as her circle widened, she felt less in need of her emotional support pelican.
“And doesn’t his ego know it,” Iris said with a smile. “Is this—”
She trailed off, distracted by a group of small children running past them, their hands reaching for tiny glowing orbs as their laughter spilled out, tinkling like wind chimes.
“One way to get their energy out,” a woman said as she passed them, her hand flicking in the air, making the orbs change directions suddenly.
“Is this about wedding planning?” Iris asked, finding her last train of thought.
“No, actually. I got a call from a very bossy campaign manager with a sexy-as-hell voice.”
“What did Henry want?”
“There is a charity event coming up in your schedule. I’m supposed to get you gowned up for that. And work on your walk in heels.”
“Oh, yes. Nothing says female empowerment like strapping your feet into medieval torture devices and waddling like a baby deer.” Selene rolled her eyes.
“She has a point,” Iris agreed.
“I’ll give you that heels aren’t easy. But who doesn’t like a nice gown?”
“Let me guess,” Selene said. “Floor-length, strapless, and designed by a man who has never needed to wear a bra.”
Arden’s gaze appraised her. “Iris won’t need a bra.”
“Totally not the point.”
“Don’t listen to her,” Arden urged Iris. “You’re going to look a-mazing.”
“Like a gorgeous, reluctant sacrifice,” Selene piped in.
“Maybe we should ditch her before we get to the boutique,” Arden suggested.
“Nope. I’m coming. The last thing she needs is another man on her case about something. She needs someone to stand up for her.”
“Barnacles,” Arden said, grimacing.
“Yeah, I’m in trouble. My punishment is a million hours of media training.”
“As usual, I think Henry is overreacting,” Arden said. He gestured for the women to start walking, steering them back out of the park. “From what I’m hearing, people were really charmed by the silly puns. I believe the most liked comment under the video I saw was: ‘Who knew mermaids were so adorable?’ So, I think it’s fine.”