Page 106 of How Not to Date an Angel

Whatever it was, it was a good look on them.

Julian’s heart did thatthingagain, where he temporarily felt like there was no room in his chest for another breath.

“So are there often such exciting events on a Thursday evening?” Rami asked.

The group chuckled and nodded. “A few times a week, actually,” they shared, and Rami’s eyes lit up.

Julian had a feeling they’d be checking out these different events.

Assuming I can stick around for that long.

The lights dimmed and a spotlight came on, and Rami’s expression was one of absolute awe and disbelief as the drag queen entered the stage.

Their jaw dropped open, and they shared an amazed glance with Julian.

I’m in trouble, he thought.

By the time the stage lights went up, Julian had come to a conclusion.

He excused himself to go get drinks for everyone—it was the least he could do with his unlimited supply of money—and as he watched Rami delight in the company of these people, he realized he was fucked.

He also realized…

I should tell them.

The thought rang with the clarity of a bell, and he could’ve sworn his heart skipped a beat with it.

As he waited for their fourth round of drinks, Julian watched them from across the bar.

Rami giggled, tipping their head back and laughing at something Jesse said after elbowing their side.

He should tell Rami why he’s here. He should tell them that he’s decided… to hell with the assignment.

The deadline loomed, and Julian was no closer to tempting the angel into selfishness, and he didn’twantto be.

At least not at Rami’s expense.

Julian cursed.

What if Rami was angry? Or disappointed in him? That somehow felt worse than anger.

Their upset would be justified. Julian had been lying all this time.

He frowned, and stared down at the drink in his hand while he waited.

Julian knew exactly what the angel would think. They’d look at this entire week in a new light, colored by their disappointment in Julian. They’d thinkeverythingwas a lie.

His heart dropped, and he froze, hand tightening around the glass.

They’d think everything was a lie.

The bath and, and—

Maybe Julian could explain. He could. He’d reassure them it wasn’t a lie. That maybe he’d come here with certain intentions, but those intentions had mattered less and less the more time they spent with Rami.

A week? A single week?

That would never be enough.

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