Page 46 of When the Angel Falls First

“Any ideas?” he asked, aiming those deep blues at me.

I thought for a moment before a spark ignited in my mind. “The first step is to test your theory. Let’s see if we can twist the magnets around. You need to lure Jonathan and Kim to the same place, for different reasons. Once there, if they naturally gravitate toward each other, then we can work with that. If they repel…” I trailed off, frowning. “Then we’re going to have to be extra creative.”

Caleb nodded, his eyes bright with interest. “Yes, brilliant. There’s a concert tonight at the Showbox that just might do the trick.”

“Perfect.” I smiled to show both that I was serious and that I was on his side. “You can tell me all about how it goes tomorrow.”

He cocked his head, his expression earnest. “You’re coming with me, right?”

A knot formed in my stomach. I was meeting Ethan, for a real date, not a fake one, and not one who was a dream from seven years ago. “I can’t,” I admitted, bracing for his reaction. “I have a date.”

For a split second, his face fell, and a part of me wanted to cancel the date right there and then. What we’d shared was something I’d probably never experience again, and our history was far more complicated than any normal exes.

But I didn’t owe Caleb anything, not with the way he’d shut down any idea of us just minutes after he’d spurted his cum across me.

He collected himself, nodding slowly. “Of course, I understand. I was just hoping… Well, never mind. Not important.” He ran a hand through his hair, mussing the perfect golden strands. “You’re a fantastic partner, Josie, and I can run with this. I wantyouto have a good time tonight. Maybe you can”—he cleared his throat—“tell me how it went when I report backon the couple.” He tilted his head to the side, and I thought he might say something more. “I hope he’s a great guy, Josie. Catch you later.”

As I watched him leave, it felt like a door was closing. And I had no choice but to bolt it shut.

“Goodbye, Caleb.”

EIGHTEEN

Caleb

I can’t.I have a date.

The words echoed relentlessly against my skull. I had no right—not to be upset or to be angry. None. And yet I stormed away from the Bookish Cat with all the thunder of an avenging angel, not a cupid.

Watching the woman who felt like my Chosen choose another man over me shortly after she’d just squeezed my dick with her orgasm and screamed my name until she was hoarse struck so close to the quick, I couldn’t breathe.

I could—not—breathe.

And yet, I had to move forward. I couldn’t march back in there and demand she cancel with this inferior human man who couldn’t possibly make her happy.

I can’t. I have a date.

The words mocked me. Mocked everything I felt about what could have been between us. It was earth-shattering, heavens-shaking. I turned down an alley—one mostly free of humans—and punched the side of a brick building. Itshuddered under the force, and I quickly snatched my hand back, horror washing over me.

I could have killed someone. Knocked down the whole damn building in a fit of temper over a first date. I had to get a grip.

This is why I can’t have her. She goes on a date, and I accidentally almost murder a building full of people.

Shaking out my hand, I darted out of the alley and used a bit of supernatural speed to put more distance between us. I had to, or I’d do something truly stupid, like kidnap her so she couldn’t go out with this… I let my senses unfurl and search the surrounding area for a male signature focused on Josie’s.

Ethan.

It only took seconds, and it was a bad idea. He wasn’t far away, and instead of kidnapping her, I could kidnap him, and then?—

No.

Caleb, get your shit together!

I pointedly turned the opposite direction of Ethan’s signature, away from this blissfully ignorant human. I had to focus on my match and getting Jonathan and Kim together as quickly as possible.

The sooner I got them matched, the sooner I could get the fuck out of Seattle. Because I knew something now, after tonight. I knew without a shadow of a doubt, I couldn’t stay in Seattle and watch her move on.

It would kill me, even worse than the loss of my wings. Losing Josie? Watching her fall in love with someone else… the edges of my vision went black, and horror filled me as I froze to the spot.

---