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Zaktakes the glass and slips into the small bathroom to the right of the counter.Atoilet flushes.Whenhe returns, he douses the glass with vinegar, lets it sit in the sink, and washes his hands again, this time adding a splash of holy water before drying.

“Youstill puking?”

Iswallow hard—how the fuck doIanswer that? “N-not really,”Isay softly.

Heturns and crosses his arms before leaning back against the counter. “What’sthat supposed to mean?”

Ican see his personal curiosity duking it out with the professional curandero face he’s put on.

“Itmeans for the most part, no.But, ifIdo, it’s becauseAdriangot too close,”Iadmit.

Hislips press together, squeezing tight around gold rings. “Dree, ven aqui!”

Amoment later,Adrianpokes his head through the beads. “Mm?”

Zakmotions him in with a tilt of his head.

Cautious,Adrianfully enters the workroom. “What’sup?”

Zakglances at me. “Anything?”

Ipause to feel myself in my body.Nothingdifferent exceptIfeel a little lighter, maybe, soIshake my head.

Helooks atAdrian. “Kissher.”

Oureyes shatter wide open. “What?”Isay the same time he says, “Excuseme?”

Zakgestures toward me. “Ineed to see ifIshould do something stronger.”

“Idon’t want to kiss that fucker—”

“Yousure didn’t have a problem with it last week,”Zakinterrupts. “Ortwo years ago.”

“Z—”

“Justget it over with soI’llknow ifIneed to do anything extensive,” he says firmly with a stern expression. “Youhave my permission soIcan help you, babe.”

Westare at one another unsurely beforeAdriansteps forward and stops a few inches in front of me.

Ipoint at him. “Thisisn’t a kiss and make-up kind of deal, understood?”

Herolls his eyes. “Whenare you gonna get over yourself?”

Myjaw drops.

“Shutthe hell up and do it,”Zakcommands.

“Ugh, fine.”

Adrianleans down and crushes his mouth onto mine, lingering for a moment before pulling back.

Allof my nerves are on high alert, sending flares of warning signals that this is it—this is the end.Mystomach lurches, preparing to throw up onAdrian’sfeet as he stares at me with dark eyes.

“Hm.Nothing?”

“Imean,Ireally feel likeIwant to puke…”

Zakclicks his tongue and waves me off. “Nerves.Justdon’t do anything stupid and you should be good, but tell me if you see more candles or dirt around your place.”