Free Redheads are Soulless by Heather M. White Page A

couldn’t. I lay frozen in place and Robbie got closer.
    “Sofie,” I heard a voice.
    Suddenly, everything was really bright. I jumped when I saw Jason shaking me.
    “Sofie?” he asked again.
    I breathed deeply. “Sorry. I was just having a bad dream.”
    Jason pulled me close to him, but out of the corner of my eye I could see Robbie standing in the doorway laughing softly. I watched him as I let Jason hold me.
    Robbie looked at me differently than I had ever seen him look at me before… He looked at me with desire . I quickly pushed the thought aside, and turned my attention away from him. There was no way he was feeling those kinds of feelings for me. That is just crazy. The only desire he feels for me is the desire to murder me.
    The rest of my Friday crept by slow ly . Robbie wasn’t his normal sarcastic self. Instead , we all just sat there in awkward silence. Because of it, I felt more certain than ever th at he was hiding something about the curse – something that I planned to figure out as soon as I was given the opportunity.
    So, Friday afternoon wh ile Jason was in the shower, I decided to sneak into the living room to talk to Robbie. Sure, it was probably dangerous, but my curiosity had gotten the best of me.
    Curiosity killed the cat , a voice warned me.
    What a stupid saying , I told it back.
    As soon as I stepped into the hall, Robbie was standing there waiting. He had his arms crossed over his chest. Never before had I noticed how nice his biceps were.
    “You’re being a bad girl,” he said in a flirty voice.
    I cleared my throat, and silently hoped my cheeks weren’t blushing. “I know you’re hiding something,” I replied confidently.
    “You know nothing. Just stay out of this. It isn’t your fight, Sof.”
    “It is my fight. I’m the one who has to die,” I reminded him. I was shocked over the fact that he called me Sof instead of Red. It pleased me more than it should have .
    Robbie’s hand came up to my face, and he caressed my cheek softly. “Go back in there before Jason finds you with me.”
    My heart beat erotically at his touch. I tried to ignore the butterflies that suddenly appeared. I backed away. “Goodbye, Robbie.”
    Before he could respond, I opened the door, walked inside, and shut the door gently. I can’t let him affect me like this. He wants me dead , end of story.
    For me, there won’ t be a happy ending – a t least not wit h him.
    Jason walked out of the bathroom, and I force d a smile when I looked at him. His smile was genuine, and I couldn’t help the guilt I felt.
    You did nothing wrong , I reminded myself.
    “I want to take you on a date tonight. No Robbie, just me and you.”
    “I would like that a lot, actually, but do you think we can really ditch him?” I asked with a laugh.
    “I already talked to him. He promised he would leave us alone tonight.”
    “Wow,” I said surprised. “ Do t hink he will follow through?”
    “Probably not ,” he admitted. “But, I think he will leave us alone.”
    “Stalk from a distance?”
    Jason nodded his head, and we both laughed. It was going to be a great night, and nothing, not even Robbie, was going to ruin it for me.

 
     
     
    Nine
    Charming spell
     
     
     
    Every time Jason held my hand, I silently wondered if Robbie was watching. If he i s, i s he jealous? Does he wish it were him with me instead? Does he secretly want to touch me, kiss me even? I mentally kicked myself. I had to stop thinking about him like that. He wants to kill me. Jason is the one who loves me. He is the only one who can keep me safe .
    I took a bite of my ice cream from Cold Stone, and all other thoughts were instantly erased. Ice cream is really the answer to all of life’s problems.
    I let the white chocolate chips slowly melt in my mouth. The taste was heavenly.
    “I can’t believe you’ve never had Cold Stone ice cream before,” Jason was shocked after my confession.
    “It’s amazing,” I admit ted, taking