Page 137 of How Not to Date an Angel

“And I promise we’re not going to yank you back if you use a bit too much magic on your morning tea,” Ginger drawled.

“I actually drink coffee,” Rami said, chuckling. “I suppose I’ve been down there so long I just assumed… Well, I don’t know what I assumed.” Ginger was right. Rami had begun to fear consequences that didn’t exist, just because the humans had.

“And in case you need to hear it…” Ginger waited until Rami’s gaze flicked up, meeting theirs. “You’re allowed to exist however you see fit. You don’t have to fear we’re going to take it away from you, unless you deserve it. And having a spat isn’t quite what we mean.”

They supposed that was a very human fear, too. Rami sucked in a shaky breath and nodded. “Thank you.”

“Like I said, we’re here for whatever you may need, even if that’s a chat.”

They clapped him on the shoulder and stepped back. “Well, anyway. I can’t wait to tell the others you’ve had your first lover’s quarrel. Oh, they’ll be thrilled. In the meantime, if you’d like to stay awhile and hide from the ex, we are happy to have you.”

Rami didn’t know how they felt about being the source of entertainment for the council. But what were they to do about it?

“You should stay for a bit, have a think,” Ginger suggested. “And whe—ifyou’re ready to go,” they said with a soft laugh, “just wish yourself back home. Use a bit of that magic you’ve been so afraid of.”

Rami’s cheeks heated. Maybe itwasthat easy? “Thank you.”

“And come back sooner. For therapy,” they said. “That’s an order.”

“I will. As soon as I sort this out,” Rami said, and meant it. “Thank you.”

“Anytime. Now, it’s taco night, so I’ll be seeing you soon for your next appointment. I’ll send a dove,” they said with a lifted eyebrow.

Rami’s lips curled in a smile. “I look forward to seeing them.”

Ginger hummed as they walked away, and it took Rami a moment more to process their words.

“Wait a second—” They raised their voice. “Taco night? Angels don’t need to eat!” they called out.

Ginger turned, walking backwards as they shouted, “Guess we’re selfish, Rami! We can eat tacos if we want!”

Rami laughed, a little breathlessly, as Ginger walked out of sight.

Selfish.

That’s what it was all about. No wonder Julian had kept using that word.

It was true that Rami had volunteered to go down to Earth, to study things, to keep an eye on the happenings of humans. That was selfish, even way back then, because they’d simply wanted to be around humans.

So when, exactly, had Rami started to internalize their beliefs, their moral compass? In fact, when had they started to fear Heaven?

Maybe not Heaven itself. Maybe they feared they weren’t good enough.

The longer they had stayed away, the scarier Heaven had seemed. The less they felt like they deserved it.

Was now their chance to rectify that? To stay here?

The silence of the nature around them was loud, a roaring backdrop to the jolt of their thoughts.

But the idea of never seeing Julian again—something lurched in them, violent and urgent.

In fact, the idea of leaving things just as they were…

Rami’s breath grew tight, chest and throat squeezing, and a sudden revelation crashed into them, just like the waterfall crashing somewhere in the distance.

Rami shouldn’t have said what they did. They’d lashed out because they were hurt. But that was no excuse.

They’dhurtJulian.

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