Page 55 of Incurably Cupid

I was afraid I would lose her before I even had the chance to trulyhaveher.

I sipped my water, keeping my senses sharp. Maybe it was because I’d been spending too much time around Indie, but I knew the instant the soulmate she’d hoped would come tonight walked in.

She came alone, and was very pretty, with long red hair and striking green eyes. She even had freckles, which, oddly enough, I'd always thought would be a weakness of mine on someone I loved.

But even though there was something about her that tugged at me, I remained firmly seated.

She wasn’t Indie.

And Indie… Indie was everything I had ever wanted.

Indie

I was miserable.My head rested heavily on the table, while Mum gently rubbed circles on my back, trying to comfort me. Dad had already threatened to use bonding magic to glue Mesmer to the top of a skyscraper and leave him there. But when I told them both what was happening between us, and what I was trying to accomplish, they fell silent.

Finally, Dad cleared his throat and spoke gruffly, "I understand what you're trying to do, love, but I think you're making a mistake."

Mum nodded solemnly. "He's in love with you, darling, and you're in love with him. There's magic between you. Your connection is strong, make no mistake."

I groaned into the table. "You're not helping. I’m doing this for his own good," I muttered, barely audible.

Mum snorted. "Says who? It’s certainly not forhisgood. That gargoyle looked absolutely miserable when you walked away from him tonight."

Suddenly, I sat up, jolting as though I’d been zapped by a storm elemental. My magic immediately focused on a single individual entering the room, pausing by the entrance.

I closed my eyes, fighting back the sob that threatened to escape. "She’s here."

Mum’s voice was soft, but firm. "What are you going to do about it?"

I drew in a ragged breath, my chest tightening with emotion. It felt like a cyclone was building inside me, churning, threatening to tear me apart.

"I don’t know," I whispered, my voice breaking. The pull to run to him, to beg him for forgiveness, to beg him to love me... it was overwhelming. But I couldn’t. Not when he had undoubtedly found his perfect soulmate.

Mum fixed me with a determined look. "Indie Valentine, I did not raise you to be like this. You get your butt up, and you either go claim him—which I think is your best option—or you go help him. Either way, you woman up!"

I blinked, gaping at her. I couldn’t remember her ever speaking to me so forcefully before—and, for that matter, I didn’t think she’d ever used the word ‘butt’ before either.

But she was right.She was so right!

What was I doing here?

Was I a cupid or a mouse?

I wanted Mesmer to choose me. I wanted to be with him forever. I wanted his tender glances, his fond smiles when I did something idiotic. I wanted the warmth of his hands, the softness of his lips. I wanted his good heart, his devoted soul. I wanted days, years, decades more—but only with him. Only ever with him.

I bolted upright so suddenly that my chair tipped over and crashed to the ground. Without a second thought, I dashed into the main area of the pub, nearly skidding as I rounded the corner.

The place was packed. I could barely make out Mesmer’s table against the far wall, surrounded by people filling every available space. I made my way through the throng, shoving past anyone who got in my way.

But then Mesmer stood. He noticed me, struggling through the crowd, and without a second glance, he ignored the woman walking toward him, bypassing her completely to meet me in the middle of the room.

Just as I reached him, that familiar sparkle flashed again from the corner of my eye, and I tripped over nothing and went flying—right into Mesmer’s chest.

He wrapped his arms around me and brought his lips to mine, tenderly, as if in great devotion. His lips brushed my cheek, my nose, and then returned to my lips. When he finally pulled back—his arms still encircling my waist—he looked down at me, his gray eyes filled with fierce resolve and tender love for me.

"You’re my mate. I only ever want you."

My heart squeezed painfully. "I just wanted to give you the chance to have a soulmate... the chance to have children."

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