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And no matter what we do, the granite always comes for him before morning. Every night, I fall asleep alone. Every morning, I carry two cups of coffee to a statue.
I’m trying not to take that personally. I’m mostly failing.
But we’re making progress. He’s spending longer periods as a human.
Yesterday, he remained human for almost six hours without touching me. Six whole hours.
He was so pleased with himself that he insisted upon celebrating with a proper dinner. Which meant I ordered takeout from the nicest restaurant in town and sat at the dinner table. Gabriel lit candles.
I wore a dress, and he wore actual clothes. I’d finally ordered him some things online, and while he has strong opinions about modern fashion, he’s grudgingly admitted that jeans are comfortable.
He also looks unfairly good in them. Which brings me to tonight. Gabriel is sitting on the library sofa wearing dark jeans and a black T-shirt.
He’s reading one of his old books.
And I’m trying not to stare. Failing, but trying nonetheless.
“April.”
I blink. “What?”
“You’ve been looking at me for the better part of five minutes.”
“No, I haven’t.”
He turns a page. “Of course not.”
“Maybe you have something on your face.”
“Do I?” he asks.
“Smugness.”
His mouth twitches. “A chronic condition, I’m afraid.”
I laugh. Then close my laptop. I’ve been researching curses again. Not because I think we’re going to find the answer on some website maintained by a woman named Moonbeam who sells enchanted crystals. But because there’s something that’s been bothering me.
Something Gabriel hasn’t told me. And I think it’s time.
“Can I ask you something?”
He looks up. “Of course.”
“About the curse.”
His expression changes. It’s subtle. But I’ve gotten pretty good at reading him.
“Very well.”
“You told me a woman cursed you because you had a heart of stone.”
“Yes.”
“And you said you deserved it.”
His gaze drops to the book. “I believe I said I was not a particularly good man.”
“Okay. But what did you actually do?”
