Goddess of Love (Goddess Summoning #5)(60)

"I don't think there's anything at all ridiculous about you." Pea put her arm around the goddess.

"I think you're beautiful and kind and amazing. And I also think that one very important point has been made clear today. You didn't come here just for me. You came here for you."

"For me?"

"Maybe the Goddess of Love came to Tulsa to find herself."

"But I know who I am. I am Love."

"How long has it been since you've known love?" Pea asked gently. Venus studied the mortal sitting beside her whose arm was draped so casually and comfortingly around her. Ancient mortals weren't ever so relaxed in her presence. They were forever seeking...searching...beseeching her to fulfill their fantasies. But Pea wasn't like that. Although her heart's desire had been what bound Venus to this world, Pea had, from the beginning, seemed more concerned for Venus's welfare than her own. Even today, when Venus had hurt the little mortal, and it had appeared she'd betrayed her, Pea remained open to her and even offered the goddess comfort.

Then Venus did something she hadn't done for eons. She answered Pea's question with complete honesty, thereby admitting the truth to herself.

"I can't remember the last time I allowed myself to love. It's hard to believe. I've been loved, evoked love, fought for love and caused love, but it is quite possible I have never actually known love."

"It's time that changed, don't you think?"

"I'm not sure that I know how to go about it."

"Well, I'm not an expert or anything, but I think the key to knowing love might be in letting go."

"Letting go?" Venus asked, feeling incredibly out of her element. She was taking advice about love from a mortal who until a couple days ago didn't know how to control her own hair? But as Venus looked into Pea's eyes and saw wisdom and compassion there, the goddess remembered something she should have never forgotten. True love wasn't found in good hair or the right clothes, makeup or shoes. True love was found in the soul - as was wisdom and compassion.

"Yeah, letting go. Think about it. It makes sense. You can't know love unless you're willing to let go of a bunch of things like fear and selfishness and control."

"Control?"

"Control."

"Are you sure about that?"

"I'm afraid so."

"How did you get to be so wise, Pea?"

Pea grinned. "I've been hanging around a goddess. She's rubbed off on me. Now stop procrastinating and zap yourself a pair of black slacks and a violet cashmere sweater. Something the exact color of your eyes that will hug your curves and show off those great boobs. Zap up a black jacket to match the slacks while you're at it. And wear your hair up tonight so that he can see your beautiful neck. Then if Griffin's really a good boy you can take your hair down for him. Later," she finished mischievously.

Venus gave her a quick hug and then stood up. "Do I need to remind you to close your eyes?"

"Nope." Pea closed her eyes. "Oh, wait." She opened one eye and peered at Venus. "Forget the jacket."

"But what if it gets cold tonight?"

"Well, it just might. Then there you'll be, all nipply and jacketless." Pea exaggerated a sigh.

"Whatever will you do?"

"I don't think I taught you that," Venus said.

"You taught me the attitude. I made up the words to go with it."

"Close your eyes." Venus conjured up the outfit Pea had recommended and decided leaving out the jacket was, indeed, a stroke of brilliance. She studied herself in the mirror, pleased at what she saw in her reflection. The goddess glanced back at the bed. Pea was still sitting there with her eyes screwed tightly shut and an up-tilted curve to her lips. She did absolutely adore this little mortal. "Open your eyes now darling, and let's be sure you're ready for your own date."

Pea opened her eyes. "Oh, mine is easy. I've decided that I'm going to fix him dinner - here. I'm just going to wear those fabulous jeans you picked out for me and that silk knit sweater. Um, and my new lacy white lingerie." She blushed, but only a little.

Venus raised her brows. "Planning on letting him see your new lingerie?"

"Oh, gosh I hope so!" she said in a breathy voice, and then her soft blush flamed a deeper color.

"Is that wrong? It is, isn't it? I should be going slower. I mean, no matter what I see when I look into his eyes, I don't really know him."

"Darling, there's one thing my eons of experience have taught me. Love has no timetable. I've seen couples be slow and careful and wise about love, only to have it sift through their hands like sand in a sieve. I've also seen couples whose love flares the moment they first look in one another's eyes and never ceases to flame for one lifetime after another. It's the lovers, not the time."

"How do I know if it's real?"

"The same way lovers have known throughout eternity. Trust yourself and listen to your heart."

"Okay. I will if you will."

"Agreed," Venus said. "Now help me pile my hair up and I'll scrunch some more coconut oil into your lovely curls."

Chapter Twenty

"O kay, remember. This dating stuff is really not that big of a deal. Well, I mean it's not that big of a deal until he introduces you to his family, then you really should get nervous for all sorts of reasons."