Page 27 of My Karmic Destiny

The therapy must be working, because I never expected something so heartfelt to come from him, or for him to admit how he might have aided in where he is now.

“Yes, I understand how she ruined things for all of us,” I admit.

Kurtis sees the softness return to my eyes. “Tessa, first and foremost, I want to be your friend. If things line up and if you are so inclined, I would like to see if we could have more between us. I care about you and want you in my life in any way I can have it.” He picks up my hand and kisses the back of it, like a vow.

“I want your friendship, too. Thank you for understanding that I might not want more. The rest will develop, or it won’t. Okay? I won’t hurt Dante just to date you or Evan.”

He nods.

Then we sit, chatting about what’s been happening at the compound for the last few days as we watch the sunset. I have to say it’s a more enjoyable way to spend the evening than stressing out about what to do. And this chiller version of Kurtis is fun to hang out with.

I’m happy to have a friend in him. I’ve had so few throughout my life.

And if things degrade with Dante, I’m going to need it.

12

READING THE SIGNS

EVAN

Dante has been brooding in his room ever since our group session with Karma.

I never wanted to be an ass to him. But I don’t want to lose Tessa, either. I feared she might slip through my fingers if I didn’t let her know my intentions.

Although, I could have pushed her away with my confession just as easily.

At the kitchen table, I’ve been reading the tarot cards all evening, waiting for our girl to return from work. What the cards have to say hasn’t been good.

From what I’m able to interpret, the cards suggest that if something doesn’t change, she’s going to leave. For good.

She’ll probably break up with Dante without even giving Kurtis or me a chance. She’ll move in with the other Death agents and never return.

My stomach twists into knots at the thought, and my heart spasms with pain. I don’t know exactly when it happened, but I fell in love for the rebellious woman who shook my entire world to the ground.

No, I know exactly when I was lost to her. When I fell. And when I kept falling deeper and deeper.

I’m still camped out in the kitchen when I hear Kurtis and Tessa enter the house from the back. Why the hell is she coming home through there? And how did Kurtis know where she was?

Did they plan a rendezvous? Why the fuck didn’t I think of that?

“Hey.” I try for casual, but can hear the bark in my voice as they enter the empty kitchen with shared laughter between them.

Put on guard, Tessa crosses her arms and raises her brows. “Hey?” she questions.

“Sorry.” I rub my mouth, wishing I could erase my gruff greeting. “I was getting worried when you didn’t come for dinner.”

The flimsy excuse for my aggressive tone seems to calm her a bit, but not completely.

Kurtis smiles adoringly at her and says, “I’m going to the game room to watch some TV, if you’re up for hanging out some more.”

Some more? What have they been doing?

“Not now, maybe next time,” she says with a grin. “Cool?”

Okay… what the fuck is going on between them? When did they get so chummy?

Kurtis skips off, giving me a saucy wink. Is he messing with me on purpose?

---