Page 128 of How Not to Date an Angel

Rami wanted to believe him.

But how could they?

So much had already been a lie, and Rami hadn’t been able to detect it then. It meant nothing that he didn’t detect it now. This—Julian, on his knees, apologizing— it could all be just another part of the ruse.

“Ican’tbelieve you,” Rami told him. “I don’t trust you.”

Julian’s expression tightened, his hands lifting to lay on Rami’s thighs before pausing, hovering, hesitating. “You don’t mean that.”

“How am I supposed to trust anything you say ever again when you’ve lied so thoroughly?”

Their chest ached so viscerally they wanted to reach between their ribs and grip their heart to keep it from seizing.

They stood and paced away from Julian. Couldn’t look at him.

“Rami, please,” Julian asked, and the vise around their torso tightened.

“Stop,” Rami whispered, and ran both hands through their hair, wanting to grasp it from the roots and pull.

When they spun around, Julian was rightthere.

“I love you,” he said.

Rami froze, and yet it felt like the world around them kept spinning.

Tears welled and they slammed their eyes shut, hands sliding down to cover their ears so they couldn’t hear anymore.

But oh, how they’d wanted to hear those words from someone, anyone at all in the past…forever.

Rami had been so lonely.

And Julian was using it against them.

The realization seemed to shock them back into the moment. They blinked.

The worst part was… They loved him, too.

Julian, this demon sent here to tempt them, to corrupt them, tolieto them.

“You know what? You win,” Rami said softly, unseeing. “I—I must be corrupt. Otherwise how could I love someone likeyou?”

The quiet after Rami’s statement was tangible, the hurt furrow in Julian’s brow severe.

They both felt it, the shift, a silent ringing through the air.

Rami had just hurt someone on purpose, the intent behind them exactly what Julian was looking for.

Julian’s eyes went wide.

“Rami, wait, I—”

A flash of golden light filled the room where Julian stood.

When it faded, he was gone.

Rami blinked at the spot Julian had just occupied, and sank onto the yellow couch.

Julian

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