Page 1 of Love & Heart Braking

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In the last three years since Vera Calzane first cursed me, I’d mostly tried to be an active participant in conversations with my dates.

“You know what I mean?” the gnome opposite me said in a deep, barrel-chest voice. Impressive volume considering he was perched on a few boxes to see over the table.

I’d chosen Tiara’s Touch again for tonight’s date—somewhere the twelve busted me frequenting, but I figured if they already knew about my curse, then I might as well keep enjoying the food.

I’d even do so at the same damn table.

Because screw them.

“Totally,” I murmured to the gnome, glancing at the crowds on Nox Street for the umpteenth time.

I was maybe looking for someone.

Another man.

After making no less than five calls to Devereaux’s home, I’d been forced to leave him a huge voice mail, which had made me feel like a total jerk. Especially because trying to explain why I couldn’t date him without telling him about the deal I was about to sign with the twelve was nearly impossible. Pretty sure I’d botched it. Pretty sure he’d hate me now.

My stomach churned at the thought. But I had my reasons. My path in life just became exponentially more dangerous, and simply put, Devereaux was too important to risk.

I’d sign with the twelve, spy on them, take them out, and then I could date my dream guy.

The gnome jabbed a fork into his salad and inspected the lettuce leaf. “No fuzziness. No brown spots or bruised areas.” He snatched the leaf off the fork and snapped it. “Nice and crisp.” He sniffed it next. “No rancidity.”

I liked the food here, but if anyone could discern the quality of fruits and vegetables, it would be a gnome. “What’s the verdict?”

He, whatever his name was, hummed. “Excellent lettuce that grew and flourished in exemplary soil.”

Go, Tiara.

“Good evening,” a silken voice slid between me and the gnome.

I nearly gave myself wryneck peering up into the cool gray gaze of Detective Devereaux Vincori.

“Fair evening, kind sir,” the gnome said pleasantly.

“What are you doing here?” I croaked.

I’d sat here all night half terrified and half hopeful that he’d show, and now I was feeling… roughly the same because he was here.

Devereaux leaned on the fence, and I couldn’t help a visual sweep down his frame. He wore his usual long coat, but I numbered amongst the lucky women who’d glimpsed this man in his baseball uniform.

I knew what that long coat hid.

“Had to talk to you,” he said casually.

Mmm-hmm, sure.

I’d let him know that I’d be resuming my cursed dates in the voice mail. Not so long ago, Devereaux had admitted to feeling jealous about me dating other guys. I liked to think I wasn’t petty enough to have gone on this date to make him jealous. In fact, that was part of why I’d felt sick when organizing it. But I was in a tight squeeze. I couldn’t stop my curse loosening efforts because I needed the curse gone to be with Devereaux. I also couldn’t date Devereaux because of danger from the twelve.

The compromise was… this.

The gnome darted a look between us. “You two know each other?” His pleasant demeanor faded as he executed a more thorough visual of the detective. He grunted, “Tall.”

“I’m sure whatever you have to talk to me about can wait,” I said pointedly.

Devereaux reached over and took my fork, jabbing a piece of chicken and popping it into his mouth. As the gnome and I stared, he chewed and swallowed.

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