Page 79 of Soul Mates: Hercules Valentine and I

Orion walks out of the room. Hercules turns away from the empty space his brother left behind and puts his scowl on me. My heart sinks to my feet.If I did the right thing, why do I feel so horrible about it?

Hercules left shortly after Orion.Surprisingly, Mason was thankful that I finally gave Orion something concrete to think about in regard to his flying-car idea. “I think he now gets that you have to do more than make a goddamn car that flies. You gotta make traffic laws for the sky. And what happens when one of those metal flying machines drops through someone's roof? You got him thinking rationally for once.” His hand came down on my shoulder. “I'm glad you did. But the next time I say cut, you stop talking. Got it?” He squeezed lightly.

My head felt like it was bobbing as I nodded. I had indeed crossed a line. If only I could explain that this was my first real job and I didn’t quite understand the dynamics between a regular boss and employee. My brother and father allowed me to say whatever I wanted in hopes that I would happen on a lucrative idea or solve a problem. One thing was for sure—in that regard, VTI was not GIT. Max never would have kept Orion out of the room. Nor would he have so quickly shut down his flying-car idea. However, I think Mason hates Orion more than his idea. If Hercules had come up with a flying car, I’m certain Mason would have been all over it like ants on candy.

Anyway, for the rest of the day, we burned on all pistons, refining our new video game and working with every department to get the word out to consumers that something new, big, and bold was coming from VTI. And now I’m sitting at my desk, rubbing my tired eyes.

“Tonight’s my showing.” Lake plops down in the chair beside me.

My eyelids feel so heavy—I’m struggling to lift them. My activities of last night and today—plus the night before last—are all conspiring to come crashing down on me. I yawn.

The corners of her mouth turn downward, showcasing an exaggerated pout. “You’re still coming, aren’t you?”

Even though I’m wiped, I wouldn’t miss Lake’s show for the world. I muster up the best smile I can, given my current condition. “I’ll be there.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Before the Night Begins

Paisley Grove

Ihad a close call after work. Lake, excited that Mason had confirmed he'd be at her show tonight, insisted on walking me back to my apartment so that I could get my things before going back to her place. I was so exhausted that she was worried I wouldn't show up.

“I’ll be there. I promise,” I said to her a number of times. I also explained that I didn’t want to be rushed. “You have tons of preparation to do, and that does not include babysitting me.”

Finally, she relented and made me pinkie swear to not lie down and rest my eyes and therefore end up sleeping through her show.

I've been applying makeup, focusing on the dark circles under my eyes. I've never worked this hard in my life. It’s good, though. I like it… I like it a lot.

“You’ll stay one hour,” I say to my image in the mirror. “From eight to nine and no longer.”

Who am I kidding?

Excitement whirls through me like a cyclone. I know I shouldn’t tempt fate and be seen in public.What if a reporter or someone else recognizes me?I’m pretty sure Kiera, Max’s ex, could still pick me out in a lineup. She’s an artist.

What if Kiera runs in Lake’s circle?I freeze after applying red lipstick to my bottom lip. If there's fallout from me being noticed, I'll just deal with it then. A tiny smile spreads across my lips. Maybe I’ll have the opportunity to tell Lake the truth. I’ll explain that I would never double-cross VTI. I care too much about her and my team and Hercules. But we’ll have to keep my secret if she wants me to stay. I bet she’ll understand. Last night taught me that she paints outside the lines. She’ll understand why I did what I had to do. She’ll get the parent pressure. I will no longer have to lie to her.

Who am I kidding?

Keep your mouth shut, Paisley, and pay attention to your surroundings.

I smash my lips together and straighten my red silk A-line skirt and matching blouse with a deep cut that shows off my cleavage. It’s an outfit I bought in college while out shopping with Eden, who insisted that I learned how to sex it up a bit.

“I swear, sometimes, you almost tilt over into the bag-lady zone,” she said.

“What’s wrong with looking like a bag lady?” I asked, feeling a bit defensive.

“Nothing, if you actually are a bag lady.”

The following weekend, we went shopping, and that was when I bought this outfit. I’ve never worn it, but it looks good on me. The color really complements my red undertones.

“And you never know, Pais,” I whisper to the beautiful woman staring back at me in the mirror. I can hardly believe she is me. “You just might meet someone who’ll help you take your mind off Hercules Valentine.”

He’s obviously mad at me for giving value to his brother’s flying-car idea. Heck, he should appreciate Orion's out-of-the-box thinking. And if he mentions it, I’ll tell him just that. Developing the first effective flying car and all the systems involved with making it safe and operational would literally give GIT a run for its money.

I put my hands together in prayer and close my eyes. “Let me meet the perfect man to help me take my focus off Hercules Valentine.”

I don't need the headache of getting involved with the man who has been my lifelong crush and adversary of my family.