Page 45 of Angels Don’t Date

She wrinkled up her nose and pushed away from him. “Obviously I expect you to improve on it. Rook offered to write a first-class duet for you, but I got jealous and made him write me one instead, so you have what me and Tiago came up with in five minutes.”

He laughed, and a chill went down my spine. How was I going to sing a duet with that voice? “I’ve got you. I’ll be sure to take artistic liberties and deconstruct it to the bones. Five key changes. Obviously an angelic choir chorus. And then she’ll get a solo that soars to heaven.”

Mirabel crumpled up her face, the look other people had when dealing with her. They were definitely siblings. “Artistic liberties? Just make sure no one dies. And that your partner sounds good.”

Richard looked offended, big eyes, and hand over his heart. “You wound me. It’s all about her voice, her range, and happily I’ll get to hear her do three other duets before we get to ours so I’ll know exactly what she can and shouldn’t do.”

“She’s right here,” I said, throwing a mini muffin at the back of his head. It was offensive that he thought he’d be so good because he was an angel when I used music as part of my platform. Then again, if he was related to the Music Master, he could probably hold his own.

He turned and caught it, tossing the whole thing in his mouth while his eyes danced and held me in a moment of terrified panic. He was so pretty and I’d been friendly with him! Could I be friends without trying to kiss him or thinking about…

I turned and walked briskly towards the grand hall, heart beating way too fast. I’d never get over seeing him naked, and he’d never think of me as anything other than a friend.

The music video aspect was tedious, doing the same thing over and over and over, and trying to smile at Banus Jones with my eyes without releasing my diaphragm or looking constipated. According to Mirabel, I had a problem with that last bit. We ended dancing in front of a fireplace, not enough room to actually dance, but we were supposed to give the impression of dancing.

The whole time, I could have sworn I saw angel wings in the periphery. It was enough to make me twitchy.

While we were waiting after that take for Pearly White to say we were finished, Banus offered me a chocolate bar.

I blinked at it and then at him. “What?”

“In case you’re hungry. I’m going to eat one. It would be rude not to offer. You seem distracted.”

“I’m just…” I stared at the incubus. He was like Sultry, right? I could talk about some things with him. I took the bar and picked at the wrapper. “I had bat wings come out of my spine this weekend. I can still feel them even though I magicked them away with this rune. And I’ve never done runes in my skin before, so it’s a lot.” I flashed a big smile at him while he only nodded and opened his chocolate.

“I see. And your struggle doesn’t have anything to do with a certain stalker angel?” He took a bite with his sharp teeth, sensual lips savoring the dark chocolate.

I sighed and shook my head. “He’s not my stalker. We’re just friends.”

He pursed his soft lips and nodded. “As an incubus, I can sense that you’d rather you were more than just friends, but you’re clearly uncomfortable with it. An angel would not be my choice for one’s first lover.”

Lover? I rolled that word over in my brain, decided it was too creepy and threw it out. “Definitely not lovers. He’s an angel. And he’s going to marry a nice angel baker. I’m trying to set him up. Do you know any angels who bake?”

He raised a brow, eyes gleaming. “What a good friend you are. You really don’t consider him as an option for your husband? That is the show, dating with a wedding finale, and he is the audience’s most popular contestant.”

“You’re seriously open to marrying me after knowing me for a few weeks?”

He gave me a shy smile. “What is marriage? It would be more of a business arrangement than an engagement of the heart, but I’d like allying with your people, and hopefully bringing something you want to the union. I am not without my charms.”

I nodded. “You’re very handsome.”

He laughed and relaxed slightly. “I’m very good with business. And money. You are trying to build your brand. I could help you monetize it, help you find your independence, and in the interim, I could be a good friend.”

He made marriage sound practically reasonable. Except…“Didn’t you call me silly?”

He winced, and his eyes were melted chocolate pools of sadness. “It wasn’t my best moment.”

“Probably not your worst, either. Thanks, Mr. Jones. I appreciate the conversation.”

His smile was soft and silky. I almost felt an answering smile, but it was banished by a memory of Richard’s bare arm reaching for a towel.

He put a hand on my arm. “I could most certainly help you forget him.” He pulled away before I could. “And I’m sorry about your sudden wings. Metamorphosis is often triggered by stress. I do hope that you can enjoy the rest of this process, because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

“You’re right. I’ll try to make the best of it. Thank you, Mr. Jones.” I smiled and then Mirabel came in to drag us to the sound booth she’d put together out of random costume racks, so we could do the final recording.

I felt more comfortable singing with Banus that time, and his warmth didn’t feel manufactured. A business marriage wouldn’t be terrible. And I wouldn’t be devastated if he died for me. Not that he seemed the self-sacrificing type, which was perfect.

The song mood was chill, the vibe soft and sweet, like a warm summer day drinking lemonade. For an incubus it was distinctly innocent except… Hm. I wouldn’t look at the lyrics too closely, I’d just sing and enjoy the harmony. His voice wasn’t powerful and amazing, but it was good, mellow, easy to listen to. I was pretty relaxed by the end of the session.