Page 109 of Heart Over Heels

“You tricked me. Lied to me. Do you know how stupid I feel right now?”

I let out a long breath. “I hurt him.”

Jack’s teasing expression softened while I raised my beer for a swallow. Behind the bar, the fridge compressor kicked on with a hum, filling the quiet until Jack cleared his throat.

“Well,” he said. “If you’re drinkin’ over it, it must’ve hurt you too.”

“Yeah,” I murmured. “It did.”

I lifted my gaze to the old television mounted in the corner. It was broadcasting a poker tournament hosted by the Basilica, judging by the golden winged logo in the corner of the screen. A sour taste filled my mouth at the sight, and I took another drink to wash it away.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the truth about Darby from the start,” I said finally. “He’s… hard to explain. But I think he’s the most incredible person I’ve ever met.”

Earl gave a low whistle. “High praise.”

Jack elbowed him in the ribs. “Told ya they was more than friends.”

My smile was quickly defeated by a sobering truth. “Less than that now, I’m afraid.”

Jack tilted his head. “Was it that bad? The hurt?”

“I don’t know if he’ll forgive me,” I admitted. “Or if he even should.”

It was too much to explain to a couple of old timers—angels and demons, strip club sabotage, and mob-style espionage.

Fortunately, I didn’t have to parcel it out for them because Jack spoke first.

“Well, Doc, what are ya gonna do about it?”

“About what?” I asked, though I knew damn well what he meant.

“I may be wrong,” he said, scrubbing the pepper-gray stubble along his jaw. “But I figure pretty boys are a lot like pretty girls. If you wanna make something up to them, it takes work.”

Earl snorted. “Or bribery.”

I shook my head. “I don’t think Darby can be bought.”

Certainly not for any priceIcould afford.

Earl propped his elbow on the bar and leaned on it. “I dunno. I saw how excited he got about that toaster oven. Maybe you could buy him a dishwasher or something.”

Jack barked a laugh. “That ain’t romantic, Earl.”

I tried to join in with a chuckle, but the sound caught in my throat. “He wanted that for his friend,” I said, my voice going soft. “He’s… considerate like that.”

Considerate.

Compassionate.

Clever.

Kind.

The list went on, filling my mind and giving me a wistful smile that caused Jack’s grin to dim.

“You really are sweet on him,” he said.

“Yeah.” My eyes stung with tears I quickly blinked away. “I really am.”