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I had to review the international wine campaign for my Bambooze Series. Even if CheckMate Black and CheckMate Red didn’t win the final round, I’d be part of the top tier and could use that in my promotions.

I had to sit down and think about what I wanted to do for Level Five of WaterFyre Rising. The feedback from my friends had been glowing, but there was something the game needed that I couldn’t understand yet.

I had to attend a banquet at Ormon’s Restaurant this Friday. The renovation wrapped up only a few days ago. It was a popular Italian restaurant chain owned by Kenneth Ormon, my ex’s father. I’d dated Sylvia for a few months until she hinted at a ring and marriage, which forced me to end things quickly. I wasn’t ready to be attached like that. Despite the ending of our relationship, she suggested her father stock my wine in all of his restaurants. Though I’d rather be working on my to-do list, I had to attend the reopening of his restaurant to show my appreciation.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

VIVIAN

It had beena super busy week, and by Friday night I was exhausted. The weather was warm for early December. I didn’t mind the rain pounding on my windshield because it was better than a snowstorm, which we would have gotten if the temperatures had dipped a few degrees lower.

Christmas was approaching, and I had to prepare gifts for my familyand office staff. I’d think about those things later. Right now my brain just wanted food, a shower, and my bed.

I drove toward Ormon’s Restaurant, which had fantastic comfort food. They just reopened after expanding. Tonight would be the perfect evening for some takeout and a movie with Kaylee. She’d been watching this Korean drama about a demon falling in love with a human. That would be a great distraction for me to rest my mind and unwind.

When I ended my friendship with Bullseye from Heartstrings, a peculiar sadness lingered around me. I knew I was doing the right thing by not clinging to some infatuation with him. Like I said, he could be someone I detested in real life. But online, where the lens of reality was blurred and half-truths became distorted, a demon could be beautiful, and that terrified me.

The clown-faced man who had killed my mother and traumatized me as a kid flared in my vision. Bullseye could be wearing a mask too. I couldn’t risk my life like that again. I had to be careful. Living like this required me to suspect people. It prevented me from getting close to anyone, but I felt safe.

As I pulled up to the restaurant, a car was leaving, and I snatched the off-street parking spot. The restaurant parking lot looked full. I’d already called in my order of spaghetti and meatballs and chicken alfredo with some garlic breadsticks. I pulled up my hood, got out of the car, and headed into the restaurant.

“Sorry, we’re swamped tonight.” The hostess with the snowflake pin apologized for the delay. “Your order should be out shortly.”

“No worries. I understand.”I sat in the chair and waited. More people came in for pickup and crowded the space.

An Asian man with brown hair smiled at me. “I picked the wrong night to come here.”

“We all did,” said the woman next to me. “But they’re worth it.”

A pregnant woman glanced around the waiting area, but all the seats were taken.

I rose. “You can take this seat.”

“You’re so kind. Thank you so much!”She huffed out a breath and sat down.

“You’re welcome.”

Laughter boomed nearby, and I glanced over to a party in the large room.

My heart palpitated when I saw Arrow standing with his ex. She’d been with him at the wine expo too. If they weren’t together, then why was she always with him? Why did he kiss me and kept asking me out when he already had her?

Sylvia wore a black dress that accentuated her curves. Jealousy slithered through me. I didn’t have curves like her.She gripped his arm, leading him to a group of men. He shook hands with the men and laughed.

Sylvia patted his cheek while he spoke to a man with silver hair.

Were they still together? The affection she had for him was obvious.

I was confused and hurt. Had I gotten the wrong message from him?

I want more.

His words echoed in my head.

Liar.

My fingers curled, hating myself for loving the way he had held my hand.My mood soured as I realized I’d misinterpreted his gestures. Maybe I was seeing—wishing for something that wasn’t there. This was why I kept my distance from men. They couldn’t be trusted. Just when I was about to give him a chance, he ruined it.

I got my food, and I didn’t know why, but I glanced at them once more. Sylvia had her arms hooked around his neck like she was going to kiss him.