Page 30 of Inferno

“Okay. Thanks.”

“No problem. Good luck.”

Before he can hang up, I blurt, “Wait a sec.”

“What?”

“When’s the last time you went on a date?” I ask, not giving myself the chance to back out of my inquiry.

“Why?” Rave asks suspiciously.

“I’ve got a date with Emmy in a little bit, and I’m freaking the fuck out. I don’t know what to do, and the guys here are no help.”

“Just be yourself,” he suggests. “Well, maybe not the whole producing fire thing, but other than that, you should be good.”

“I thought you hated me, hated us.”

“I don’t hate you. But even if I did, Odin sent you here for a reason. If I don’t believe in you, I believe in him.”

“Thanks, man.”

“Now, can we quit all the feelings shit so I can hang up?”

I chuckle at him. “Yeah. Keep us posted if you find anything else.”

“Will do.”

Rave disconnects the call. He’s not the first person to tell me to be myself tonight so that’s what I’m going to do.

Without telling her I’m dead.

Three hours later, I’m standing on Emmy’s porch, a bouquet of flowers in my hand—women love flowers, right?—and an itchy feeling beneath my skin.

No fire, no fire, no fire.

I repeat that mantra over and over again as I knock on the door and wait for her to answer.

No fire, no fire, no fire.

15

Emmy

“Ihope you like ice skating.”

From the second I opened the door, I could sense Inferno’s nerves. It’s almost as if he hasn’t gone on a date in forever, but that’s impossible. Surely, a man like him has plenty of fish to choose from.

And he chose me.

“I haven’t been since I was little, but I used to love it.”

Inferno grins. “This should be interesting then.”

He takes my hand and threads his fingers through mine. Heat radiates from his touch, and I have to consciously stop myself from rubbing my thighs together.

After we get our skates, we find a bench to sit on while we put them on, and the conversation begins to flow.

“So, Emmaline Daniels, tell me something about you.”

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