Page 26 of Soul Mates: Hercules Valentine and I

Making a stink face, I throw up my hands. “Okay, that’s gross.”

“Oh my God, Paisley. You really are a Pollyanna.”

I shrug as I casually take a swig of my cocktail. “And I’m not ashamed of it. And you know what? I had sex, and the act really didn’t live up to the hype. You ever watch them going at it in movies and see all the overdramatization? Well, real sex wasn’t like that for me. I didn’t experience anything that made me want to go ooh, ah, ah…”

“Hey there,” a deep voice says.

Eden presses her lips to stifle a laugh as my eyes grow wide. “Hey there,” she finally says, way too amused.

Embarrassed, I slowly turn to find the guy who was sitting with Hercules positioned next to my shoulder. He beams at Eden. Hercules, who appears as if he can barely keep his eyes open, stands behind him and leans forward as if he’s on the verge of tipping over.

Seating is settledas soon as the shorter guy introduces himself and Hercules. Nero is his name, and he’s not as fit and handsome as his friend but makes up for those deficiencies with charisma. Nero slides into the empty space next to Eden. Hercules is beside me. Our shoulders are touching. He feels so warm, and all I want to do is sink into his skin.

Nero drums on the table. His eyes glisten. Either he, too, has had too much to drink, or he’s just an excited person. “So, what are your names?” He glances at me, but his curiosity stays stuck on Eden.

“She’s Tabatha, and I’m Glory.” Eden pops a shrimp into her mouth.

I love how she’s able to still eat. I couldn’t consume another morsel of food ever since Hercules sat down beside me. I’m too nervous to eat.

“Glory, you’re beautiful.” Nero glances at me. “The both of you are. But Tabs over there is his type, and you’re my type.”

Eden raises her eyebrows at me. “Hear that, Tabs? You’re his type.”

A flushed sensation creeps over my face. I’m shocked she chose to give us fake names.

“What about me makes me your type, other than the fact that I’m blond and cute?” Eden asks.

“Well, that’s a start, isn’t it?” Nero says.

Eden chuckles. “That makes you superficial. And by the way, he’s my type.”

“Him?” Nero says, pointing at Hercules, who I can feel staring at me with his lidded gaze. “He’s everybody’s type.”

Eden smirks. “Are you competitive with him or something?”

“What if I say that I am?”

“Then that makes you not only shallow but also insecure.”

His smile reaches his eyes as they stare at each other for several seconds. I know Eden well enough to see that she’s intrigued by him.

“Now I know you're my type,” Nero finally says.

It’s hard to look away from raw attraction on display, but I’m bearing more of the brunt of Hercules’s weight. Also, I’m having my own issues with animal magnetism.

I turn to Hercules to see what’s going on with him, and our eyes meet. My heart flutters as warmth spreads across my face.

“You're feisty. Beautiful and feisty. Will you marry me?” Nero says.

Eden laughs, and the sound seems to originate from her belly. Nero has worn down her defenses.

“Do I know you?” Hercules asks.

My lips part. I’m like a deer trapped in headlights. What if I tell him the truth? Then what? My gut says I shouldn’t reveal my true identity. Nothing has changed in terms of our families not liking each other. It’s also pretty exciting learning what it would be like to be new to Hercules Valentine. The night is young, even if he looks like he just might pass out sooner rather than later.

“I’ve been wondering the same thing,” Nero says.

I rip my focus off Hercules and set it on Nero. Will he be the one to figure out I’m the daughter of Xander and Heartly Grove?