Page 23 of The Heartbreak Hex

“I’ve been in the Forgotten Neighborhood,” she says apologetically, pulling back from our hug, but keeping her hands on my shoulders. “We’re launching a new appeal with Christmas to open parts of their neighborhood to some of the Winter Forgottens to help with the overcrowding in the Forgotten Holidays. But I’m sorry I haven’t been around. Especially when Gretchen told me that you broke up with that werewolf this week.”

“It’s okay,” I assure her. “Your work is really important. I get that you can’t always be there to drink with your little sisters.”

“Hey,” Beatrix chides, her hands still on my shoulders. “You’re important too. This was just a lousy week for me. But I’m glad at least that you seem to be alright.” She gives a meaningful look over my shoulder. I turn to see Vlad talking to a bunny shifter from the Easter Neighborhood in a wolf costume. He seems to feel my eyes on him because he glances over and gives me a sexy smile, before turning back to his conversation.

“It’s just a date,” I tell Beatrix, but I’m blushing.

“Uh huh,” she says, not sounding convinced. “And how long has this been going on that you're the mayor’s date to the biggest event of the neighborhood?”

“Well, it’s a long story . . .” I hedge. I wouldn’t mind telling my big sister about the hex, but not where just anyone could overhear me.

“Hey, Bob!” I hear a deep voice call over to us, interrupting my hesitation. Beatrix groans and rolls her eyes, turning toward a handsome cupid that’s making his way over to us. He’s wearing the typical clothing and colors of the Valentine’s Neighborhood,that is to say pinks and red, but he’s got a bubblegum pink domino mask on his face as a bare-minimum nod toward the evening.

“Bob?” I ask her, confused.

“My haircut,” my sister clarifies, gritting her teeth. “He’s been calling me that since I cut my hair.”

“Who is he?” I ask, but she doesn’t have a chance to answer before he’s arrived where we are.

“Curtis Heartson, at your service,” the cupid responds to my question with a flourishing little bow. “I work with Bob at City Hall.”

“Work against, more like,” scowls Beatrix. “Curtis here is a lobbyist for Valentine’s Day. Though why a major holiday needsmoreconcessions, I’ll never know.”

“There’s always room for growth, Bob,” the cupid says breezily. “You know that. Aren’t you going to introduce me? You must be one of Bob’s sisters, right?”

“No introductions,” snaps Beatrix. “You don’t deserve to know my family. Besides, she’s taken.”

“I know,” Curtis returns easily. “I’m a cupid, Bob. I can sense a love connection.”

I blush some more. A love connection? With Vlad? Really? Isn’t it too soon? But the cupid has no reason to lie or exaggerate.

He continues, “No matter, I was going to come over to ask you to dance.”

“With you?” Beatrix says darkly. “I’d rather be melted, thanks.”

“What?” challenges the cupid. “Don’t you know how?”

“I know how,” my sister snaps again. “I just don’t want to dance withyou.”

“So hostile,” tuts Curtis. “C’mon, prove it. Idareyou.”

Beatrix growls like I’ve never heard her do before. She’s usually so level-headed. “Fine! But I’m stepping on your feet at least twice.”

“I wouldn't expect any different,” chuckles Curtis, leading my sister out to the dance floor.

That was interesting.I’ve never seen my sister like that before. I thought no one could get under her skin, but I guess I was wrong.

I’m about to turn back to see if Vlad is done with his conversation when I hear an unwelcoming voice call out to me.

“Gertrude! How good to see you!”

It’s Calliope Aetos. She’s dressed in a glittering fitted dress of scales. I’d think she was trying to be a dragon, but there’s no wings, so most likely a snake, to match her writhing hair.Fitting,I think with a grimace. She’s got her arm woven through Harry’s, who’s dressed in a suit with a plain black mask. They don’t match as a couple, but that’s not surprising. Harry never was one for dressing up. The medusa is draped on him, though, almost like a second skin, trying to show her claim.

“Calliope,” I greet politely, even though I’d rather be anywhere but here. “How are you? Enjoying the Ball?”

She titters her mean-girl laugh that hasn’t changed since high school. “Oh, I’m having the most marvelous time! Harry is such a good dancer. Well, I mean, you would know, wouldn’t you?”

It’s an inelegant shot at me, obviously trying to rub my face in the fact that she took my boyfriend, but I find, almost surprisingly, that I don’t care. Not even a twinge. It’s helped by the fact that Harry doesn't say anything, doesn’t try to check his new girlfriend or defend me even though we were together for so long. How did I never see how spineless he was?

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