For romance editors, love is in the air, 24/7 and 365 days, except for Sebastian Loyess who just sighed out of desperation and jealousy.

“Where’s that coming from?” Millie asked, raising an eyebrow. She’s amused at her friend’s reaction. “You are ruining the luxury wedding vibe, my friend. FYI, this is worth six years of our combined salary! And we’re talking gross income,” she said, snorting. “The snobby bridesmaid’s words, not mine.”

“How can one be so blessed?” Sebastian replied bitterly. He took the champagne glass, and drank it empty; bottom-up like he does with a mug of beer on a TGIF get-together, when he’s stressed from work. “But mine’s as empty as this wine glass.”

“If you chug champagne that way—” she snatched the glass away from his hand, “Any interested guy might think you’re an alcoholic.”

He drooped his head limply, sighing. He leaned forward, elbows on the table, with drained energy—as if his elbows were the only thing that supported the weight of his upper body. 

“Hey, cheer up!”

No reaction from him. 

She held Sebastian’s cold hands tenderly and assured him, “You’ll do fine. Mr. Right Guy is out there somewhere. Stuck in the goddamn Lake City traffic—” 

Still no response. She’s annoyed. 

“Sebastian Loyess! Sit up straight or I’ll give you a noogie! But first—”

Without warning, she clenched her hands so tight that his hands warmed up. Her strong grip almost crushed his fingers. He tensed up. He stared at her with a death glare.

“Hands. Off. Your. Brawny. Little. Hands.”

Her mouth hung open from the shock of his mean remarks. Her hands were brawny, alright. That’s her insecurity. She’s been teased about it. She’s incensed.

She smirked, “You sure? Your hands are warm now—”

He responded with a wicked smirk, “How am I gonna find Mr. Right Guy if you’re holding me like a deranged lover in your She-Hulk aura?”

Feeling defeated in their friendly banter, she yanked her hands away from his.

“So… So mean!” she said, pouting. “Calling a woman’s hands brawny… So mean—” 

“Sorry, Okay?”

“Fine! Whatever! That’s one strike—”

He arched his eyebrow as if urging her to explain. 

“You’ll see, my dear! Hehehe!”

Shivers washed all over him. He could only think of the shenanigans in store for him. 

Having regained his composure, he sat straight, poised as if he were a dignified guest of honor, “I’m fine, Mill. I’m just a bit jealous…” 

“There you are!” she said, admiring him. “You got charms, a lean physique, and an adorable face. Hmmm… The tuxedo looks good on you,” she eyed him approvingly but sighed, “If only you’re needs are satisfied by a woman—” 

He blushed from such flattery. He tenderly covered his face with his hand.

“I’d still fall for that handsome face of yours. But, I’m not your type,” she grinned at him, “So you’re safe, haha!”

He waved his hand as if dismissing her flattery because he felt awkward hearing it.

“Remember high school? Our classmates used to tease her—” he pursed his lips and pointed them in the direction of the bride gracefully dancing with the groom. It’s an unusual habit he couldn’t break. “That no guy would marry her because of… you know… her unique beauty…”

She snortled. She almost choked on the caviar of the smoked salmon canape she was savoring. The guests from the next table stared at her, bemused and distracted from their preoccupations. Her cheeks went red with embarrassment. 

Meanwhile, he let out a muffled pffft.

She dabbed her mouth with a napkin, “Believe me. In this day and age, face is irrelevant.” She tapped her head and winked at him, “All you need is a shameless street smarts attitude. And yeah, a moneyed fiance.”

“Oh!?”

“You, on the other hand, need a good whacking in the head!”

He uttered a dismissive “Hah!”

“I’m serious! Enough with that curse nonsense. No curse, alright?” She took the champagne glass and sipped elegantly. “It’s all in your head, love. Just let go of that superstitious belief.”

He just sighed. His mood turned pensive. 

He hadn’t told her the whole story. He did mention the curse and his fear of the number 9 to his close friends. But he withheld the devil in the details.