My Date From Hell by Tellulah Darling

organic.”
    “Actually,” Theo began, “that might be the best solution after all. Stab them just before the ritual with your gold arrows then undo it as soon as we’ve won with your lead ones.”
    “That’s even better,” I enthused. Minimum love exposure to Kai equaled maximum emotional safety for me.
    “Are you even listening to yourselves?” Pierce asked.
    “It’s brilliant,” Theo retorted. “Sophie doesn’t even have to see Kai until ten minutes before the appointed time. Better for everyone.”
    “I don’t know if I’d go that far,” I muttered.
    “Even I’m uncomfortable with how mercenary you’re both being about love,” Hannah said.
    “Also, I didn’t agree to help you with your Olympian coup,” said Pierce.
    “Let’s table this until after we’ve dealt with Bethany.” I winked at Theo and he nodded back. Between us we’d work on Pierce and get him to help. Then I’d be able to save the world and not find myself emotionally devastated. Especially if Pierce could undo the love as soon as we’d won. I’d barely even notice it had been a thing. Definitely the best way.
    Because let’s face it, even if I did fall in love with Kai, which was impossible, knowing I rated second-best would hurt. Although, yes, there would be meltiness having someone look at me like I was the center of their universe. It might make me all warm, having them light up because I had entered a room. Kai turning his deep brown eyes and wolfish grin on me when it wasn’t just about whacked out chemistry but actual love, could rock my world.
    And break my heart.
    “What are you doing?”
    Theo’s voice startled me. I realized that I’d slid myself completely into my cocoon, face covered, my fists bunched in the material.
    I wiggled back out, flushed. “Nothing.” This was the most practical solution. I was sure Kai would feel the same. I snatched the candy package away from Hannah. “There are a few imminent to-dos on the table. We have to help Pierce stop Bethany. Find him candidates.”
    “Already started,” Hannah said.
    “Then we have to find and ward the location before spring equinox. That’s when this all goes down.”
    “Equinox, huh?” Theo looked thoughtful. “Remember Kai once said you weren’t supposed to be in Hades the night you were killed? You were supposed to be on Earth? That was the night before the equinox. Means Kai and Persephone were about to try this ritual before.”
    “And that might be what got her killed.” Hannah nodded decisively. She pointed at Theo. “Time to go make yourself useful and figure out the warding …” She trailed off because Pierce had gotten all up in her space and gazed at her, enthralled. He leaned in to her, as if to inhale her scent, then trailed a finger along her jaw.
    Hannah scrambled off the other side of the bed from him. “Okay. Sophie needs to sleep. Reconvene later. Everyone out.” She became very busy organizing the books on the shelf beside her bed.
    I grabbed Theo’s shirt before he stood up and pulled him in to ask quietly, “Why doesn’t he just shoot her with one of his arrows and cement the deal?”
    “Can’t use the arrows for self-interest.” He smiled in wicked delight. “Got to struggle through like the rest of us schmucks.”
    “I heard that, you wanker,” Pierce muttered as he passed by.
    The boys left, shutting the door behind them.
    I tossed an M&M at Hannah to get her attention, bestowing a wicked grin on her when she turned. Time to torture my best friend. “What’s the deal with Pierce?”
    She shrugged, sat down on her bed, and picked up her laptop. “I’m not sure I trust him. He’s too pretty.”
    “You’re too pretty, too.”
    “Nope. I’m beautiful. It’s different.”
    I could have bugged her about her lack of modesty but I had something far more fun to taunt her with right now. “You are the same girl who once told me that there were no fireworks or soulmates. Just chemical compatibility and