Page 61 of Cupid's Last Arrow

“Itismy business.” Hermes looms over me. “Answer me, or I will deliver you to the underworld right now.”

I gulp but sit in the dirt in silence. This has turned from bad to worse.

“Well?” he asks.

“I was coming here to think about that, you jerk,” I say without hiding my anger. “You showed up in the middle of myalonetime.”

“It’s a good thing I did, otherwise you’d be dead, and I would have had to deliver you anyway.”

I don’t deign to tell him thank you, but I might have if he wasn’t such an ass.

“Seriously, what does it matter to you what I want?” I ask.

Hermes must realize that I’m not about to tell him what or who I want, because he clenches his jaw and glares at me menacingly.

The problem with his tactic is that I don’t know what to do. It’s not that I’m trying to be difficult about this. I wanted Carl for years, but it felt wrong when he kissed me. Is it because I’m so accustomed to our nonsexual relationship? Or is it because I had to force his hand by flirting with Eros? Or have my feelings changed over time?

Or… am I scared?

“I think I’m scared of screwing it up,” I tell Hermes, unsure why I’m confiding in him. Maybe I just need someone to talk to about it.

“Screwing it up with Eros or with Carl?” he asks, his voice losing its hard edge.

I give him a sharp look. I don’t like that these gods know so much about me. I continue anyway. Maybe he won’t take me to the underworld if he knows I’m confused. “Carl’s my best friend. What if I mess it up, and I don’t even have his friendship anymore?”

“I suppose you will never know until you try.”

My eyes widen at his sage advice. “I don’t trust you.”

“You probably shouldn’t.” Hermes steps back so he is no longer hovering over me. “But humans often regret what they haven’t done more than what they have.”

“Maybe.” I glare at him. “Is that what makes gods so crazy? Centuries of regret?”

His eyes take on a sad gleam, and he vanishes. I almost feel bad, but then I remember he’s probably a real piece of work.

I glance down at Eros’s ring on my finger. I try to pull it off without touching the stone, but it won’t budge. I’m still linked to him. I think about what Hermes hinted about.

Does Eros just want to claim my soul for some power play? A game among gods?

It doesn’t matter at the moment. Hurrying to my car before another god approaches me, I head back to Carl. I wanted Carl for so long, and now it’s my chance to have him—if I haven’t blown it already.

17

FINALLY

Fortunately, I beat traffic and get home before Carl returns from work. I take a long, relaxing shower, primping and shaving for a likely potential outcome. Preparation is key here.

I have to get the guy, learn how to be a cupid, and finalize the deal with Eros so a bunch of awful gods don’t fight over me. Besides, I want the guy… don’t I?

Eros probably shouldn’t have touched and wound me up so much. His kind deeds and loving embraces have only muddied up my emotions. Acclimating me didn’t make it any easier when I kissed Carl.

My nerves are in shambles as I finish styling my long hair and put on a wrap dress Eros procured for me a few days ago. I check myself in the mirror, and I’m satisfied that I look as good as I’m going to with what I’m working with.

The front door opens, and I hear Carl toss his keys in the tray by the door.

I walk out and smile gently at him. “Hey,” I say anxiously.

Carl looks over my shoulder and toward my bedroom.

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