Page 209 of Soul Mates: Hercules Valentine and I

“I told you, you’re the one.”

I snort a chuckle. “Yes, you did.”

“You’re a damn good one too. Herc hit the lottery.”

“Ahh,” I say and thank him for the compliment.

“It’s true.” He goes back to smiling at the road while I send text messages to Max and my parents with an invitation to meet me for dinner tonight at Hyacinth. I don’t sugarcoat a thing. I say I want to discuss my relationship with Hercules Valentine. I don’t tell them that he and I will be present together. But I’ve been waiting for a response from one person in particular. Then my phone dings. It doesn’t take Max more than a minute to respond, just as Hercules and I guessed.

I want to talk to you right now, he texts.

My phone dings again before I’m able to respond. It’s a message from my mom:We’ll be there. But I’m not happy with you at the moment.

I type:Thanks Mom. See you tonight.

My phone dings again, and it’s a text message from Ronald. I don’t have him in my contacts list, but I recognize the number.

In light of recent truths about you and Hercules Valentine, I believe we should cancel our date. I’ve given it much thought. Good luck to you Paisley Grove.

“Damn,” I whisper. I feel so horrible. However, I’m wondering if he’s referring to our kiss in the park. Nobody knows about our tryst at the Golden Grande Luxe.

My phone dings again, and Lake has sent me an alert fromTop Rag Magregarding a hot clip of me and Hercules leaving the Golden Grande Luxe together. The caption reads, “They definitely spent the night in the same room. Our sources are solid on this one. Rain Mueller has officially been replaced.”

I sigh with dread. I quickly text Lake back:I’ll explain. He’s not marrying Rain. No girl code broken.

Then I text Max:Yes. Let’s talk. How about The Bungalow on East 20th? In twenty minutes.

James is taking me to The Bungalow now.

Ding.

See you there shortly.Max answers immediately.

Ding.

That’s what I figured, Lake texts back.

I wait. No more texts. Finally, my fingers can take a break until…

Ding.It’s a text message from Hercules.I love you, PG?

Grinning from ear to tear, I reply:I love you too, HV.

11:45 a.m

Hercules gave me some good advice about my meeting with Max. He said to make sure I arrive before him and am seated at the head of the table. Apparently, Max also follows that script because even though I’m early, he’s already seated at the top of the table and glowers at me as I make approach.

“Disarm him,” Hercules also said. “Be charming. Got it?”

So I’m smiling like I’m dancing through a field of roses. His expression is the direct opposite of mine.

“Hey, Max,” I say and kiss him on the forehead.

He goes rigid. “What the hell’s wrong with you?”

I sit in the chair beside him. That’s what Hercules said to do—if Max so happens to have the head seat, then I should sit beside him, not across from him. I didn’t know Hercules knew so much about playing power games, but he apparently does.

Max squirms in his seat as he angles his body to get a better look at me. “Why are you sitting next to me?”