Page 34 of Little Bite of Bliss

“With your sexy mate.” Luca smirked.

“Luca,” Layla hissed.

“What? I have eyes. You have eyes. We all have eyes.”

“Believe me, I know how lucky I am,” I chuckled. “Leni is amazing. I love her so much.”

They both smiled, their expressions softening enough that I relaxed a fraction.

“I’m glad,” Layla said. But then hurt filled her eyes and she blinked, looking away. “I haven’t found him again. I’ve tried. I’ve been trying. I’ve cast spells and talked to witches and tried to match a couple monsters, but it didn’t work out. Everything has been so . . . wrong. I’m just angry all the time.”

“And not eating enough or drinking water,” Luca added, narrowing his eyes on her.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re depressed.”

“Like you fucking aren’t?”

I frowned at Luca. “Are you okay?”

His eyes turned distant, and I wondered what was haunting him. “I love our parents, but no one is listening to me about what I want. I’m not meant . . . Nevermind. I’m fine.”

He most certainly wasn’t. “Been there,” I sighed. “Although, I actually worked things out with my dad. He apologized. Everything has been much better since then.”

“Must be nice.” Layla crossed her arms, and I found myself staring at her. She really did look like the Barista when she did that.

“Have you not talked to him?” I asked.

“I mean, sort of,” she said. “Small words here and there. He’s tried. Multiple times. But I’m just so . . . I’m so furious. I don’t care how powerful Death is, if we were meant to be, why did he take away my fated mate?”

“Sometimes fate is wrong, Layla,” Luca said pointedly.

She shot him a dirty look. “It’s not anyone else’s decision.”

“Yeah, but Death⁠—”

The cooler door suddenly kicked open and we jumped. Bell appeared, his eyes wide and face pale.

“Uh, hi Bell,” Layla said slowly. “You look sick.”

“Yes. No? Yes. Maybe? I knew you guys would be back here,” Bell said quickly. “Always back in the damn cooler.”

The cafe coolers were where the biggest decisions were always made.

“What’s wrong?” Luca asked. “Are you okay?”

Bell blew out a breath. “I’m getting a mate.”

“What do you mean you’re ‘getting’ a mate?” Layla asked, her eyes sharpening.

“Papa is going to match me⁠—”

“Are you fucking joking?” Layla snarled.

Bell took a step back. His smile fell away. “I thought you’d be happy for me⁠—”

“He literally cut my fated mate bond, Bell!” she yelled. “Fuck off.” Layla shoved past him and stormed out of the cooler, leaving the three of us speechless.