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I chuckled. “Sounds like you’ve got good friends.”

“I really do.” She flicked a glance over my shoulder, and the mischievous glint in her eyes sharpened. “So do you.” Lifting her glass to her lips, she drained the last of her drink slowly, her smirk widening. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say that witch of yours isn’t as eager to find you a date as she’s made out to be.”

I turned my head just in time to catch Jen mid-death glare. The moment she realized I was looking, her expression smoothed, shifting into something far more neutral.

“She’s probably just annoyed that my side of the pact is cutting into time she’d rather be spending on her project,” I told Jade, though the words felt hollow even as I said them.

Jade’s phone buzzed again, and she sighed. “I really ought to go. One of my friends is a unicorn shifter, and she will disembowel you if she thinks for one second that you’re bothering me.”

I raised my hands in mock surrender. “Duly noted.”

Jade grinned, grabbing her fresh drink before hopping off her stool. “Good luck with your...dating coach,” she teased, giving me a knowing look before disappearing into the crowd.

I made my way back to Jen, sliding into the seat beside her.

“How did that go?” she asked, her tone clipped, her fingers tightening around her glass.

“Okay, I guess. But definitely more of a friends vibe—”

Before I could finish, Jen sat back, pulling her hood low over her face, sinking deeper into the shadows.

Immediately, something in me shifted. Shadows rippled across my skin in response, my instincts sharpening as I scanned the bar for danger. “Jen, what is it?”

I followed her wide-eyed stare across the room to a stunning water nymph perched gracefully at the bar, her shimmering, seafoam-colored hair cascading over her shoulders. There was something familiar about her, and after a beat, I realized why—I was almost certain she was the same nymph who had given me directions yesterday.

Jen turned to me, her voice barely above a whisper. “That’s Brooke,” she said. “She was my friend before...you know.”

“Oh.” Relief settled over me—it wasn’t danger, just... history. “Do you want to leave?” I asked, hoping she’d say yes.

But Jen shook her head. “Brooke isreallynice. Her dad owns half of the vacation homes in Headless Hollow. You should try talking to her next.”

I frowned. “Is that a good idea? You were friends.”

“That was a long time ago,” Jen said quickly. “Just... don’t mention my name. And make sure she doesn’t look my way.”

I exhaled slowly. “Honestly, Jen, I think it’s probably best to call it a night.”

“No.” Her voice was firm, her fingers fidgeting against the table. “You’ve gone above and beyond to help me,” she murmured, her gaze flicking to Gavin’s card resting between us. When she looked back up, there was something raw in her expression—something almost pleading, like sheneededthis tomean something. “Please, Devlin,” she whispered. “Just let me reciprocate.”

Teeth gritted, I pushed to my feet and turned toward the water nymph.

Chapter 11. Jen

I ground my teeth as I watched Devlin wander off in the direction of Brooke. Part of me had beenthis closeto taking him up on his offer to call it a night, desperate to retreat back to my cabin and away from anyone who might recognize me. But we’d made a pact. And the scenes read so much better with his help.

Not to mention, he’d gone out of his way to get me a card for Dean Sinclair. I might not have heard of the guy, but judging by Devlin’s excitement, he was a big deal in the indie publishing world. My heart fluttered as I turned the card over in my hand, tracing the embossed lettering with my thumb.

Then it promptly dropped as I watched Devlin approach Brooke.

The water nymph had always been stunning, with iridescent sapphire skin and hair that flowed like liquid silk. She’d always been popular, and for good reason—her looks were only outshone by her personality. Brooke was kind, eccentric, empathetic...

And I’d just sent the first man I’d been remotely attracted to straight toward her.

Devlin hesitated just a few feet away from Brooke, and for a traitorous moment, my mind conjured an image of him turning back. Of him walking towardme, taking my hand in his, his voice low as he murmured,“There’s only one woman in this bar I want to get to know.”

Heat pooled in my stomach, spreading through me in a way I hated.

You have a mate out there somewhere, Jen. He’s the one you should be pining for. Not Devlin.