I raked my teeth over my bottom lip and lowered my phone, staring at the screen.Rathiel wasn’t wrong.He’d merely said what I’d already been considering.But hearing it aloud made it seem more painful.I liked Jack.He was easy, fun, normal—everything I wanted, but couldn’t have.My life was too dangerous for him.How would I even begin to explain everything to him, let alone tell him who I was?
Then, of course, there was Rathiel.He complicated things in ways I hadn’t even begun to understand.We’d both glossed over the fact that he’d openly admitted he still loved me.I’d denied that I loved him, but heck, I wasn’t even sure I believed myself at this point.Especially after that damn kiss.
What Ididknow was I didn’t want to hurt either of them.Though, heartbreak seemed inevitable at this point.I had to choosewhoseheart I was more willing to break.
“I know,” I finally said.
“If you keep him in your life, you’ll get him killed,” Rathiel said, stepping closer.He reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair from my face.
I winced, knowing I couldn’t deny Rathiel’s words.Of course he was right.My father wouldneverallow me to care for a human.Or anyone, really, for that matter.But Jack didn’t stand a chance against Lucifer.And if my father’s people learned about him, they’d kill him just for fun.
“He doesn’t belong in our world,” Rathiel said.“I know that hurts to hear.But for his own good, you need to end things.”
“Yeah,” I whispered.
I stared at my phone, the weight of the decision pressing down on me.Breaking things off with Jack was the right thing to do, but it still hurt.
With a heavy heart, I typed out my response.
Me: How about coffee this afternoon?Brew Haven at three?
I stared at the words, knowing they didn’t even begin to scratch the surface of what I really needed to say, but they’d have to do.I refused to break up with him over text.I hit send, and regret instantly settled in my gut.There was no turning back now.
Jack: Sure.See you then.
Rubbing my face, I slipped my phone into my pajama pants pocket, then headed to the bathroom.“I need a shower.”And somespace.But first, I needed to call my soon-to-be-ex-bosses, so they knew not to expect me today—or ever again.“Can the three of you manage on your own for about an hour or so?”
Rathiel nodded, his gaze tracking me.“You made the right decision.”
Then why did I feel so shitty?
* * *
It was just beforethree p.m., and I’d already survived two breakups today.First with the coffee shop, then with my bartending gig.Both bosses had handled it about as well as a toddler losing their favourite toy—lots of shouting, guilt trips, and a few threats about burning bridges.I couldn’t blame them; it wasn’t like I’d given them any notice, and they’d both expected me to work a shift today.I’d also left a message for Jazz to call me, but since she was working, I knew not to expect that call until later.
And now it was time for breakup number three.I had a feeling this would be the worst of the trifecta.
I stood outside the Brew Haven and took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of freshly roasted coffee.Normally, the scent calmed me, but today it made my stomach hurt.I walked inside and spotted Jack sitting near a window, his face illuminated by the sunlight streaming in through the glass, with two mugs of coffee sitting on the table.He hadn’t noticed me yet, too absorbed in whatever he was looking at on his phone.
For a second, I hesitated.He seemed so peaceful, so…uncomplicated.I wanted to pretend like this was a normal date, and I was a normal girl, meeting a normal guy for coffee.
But that wasn’t my life, and it never had been.I wasn’t even human, for crying out loud.Unlike Jack, who would age and eventually die.I wouldn’t.Eventually, he would start to notice, and no amount of beauty products would help me explain away my unageing face.
At least Rathiel had agreed to sit this one out.It’d taken a lot of begging, some yelling, and then a direct order from me that he stay behind.He’d snarled and growled and flashed some fang, but eventually relented.This was my mess to clean up, and I really didn’t need nor want my bodyguard watching over my shoulder.
As though sensing the weight of my stare, Jack glanced up, and a brilliant smile spread across his face.My heart broke at the sight of it.But I squared my shoulders and walked to the table.
“Hi,” he said, his smile still on full display as I took the seat across from him.His warm brown eyes sparkled in the sunlight and his cheeks dimpled.He was handsome, no doubt about that.And hopefully, he’d make some other woman happy.
“Hi,” I replied, tucking myself under the table.“Hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”
He shook his head.“Not at all.I was just looking up what movies are playing nearby, if you’re interested?Since you’re no longer working today, I figured we could take advantage of that and spend the day together.”
Time to rip the Band-Aid off and put an end to this.My gaze dropped to his mouth, and I remembered our kiss.How I hadn’t felt anything.Not compared to Rathiel’s.He infuriated and frustrated me.And sometimes I wanted to punch him in the throat.But that heat was something Jack and I lacked.Even if my life wasn’t in danger, even if fallen angels and my father weren’t hunting me, that would be enough to end things between us.I just didn’t like that I was about to hurt him.
“Actually, Jack,” I started, already wincing when his brows knitted together.
“Everything okay?”he asked, leaning forward slightly and taking my hand.
