Page 95 of Never Flirt with a Dragon

“You can’t be serious,” my mom argued.

“She is. Elodie told us mate bonds with dragons are permanent way before Randa hooked up with Jas,” Vi said.

“No, she can’t be serious about not wanting to break the bond.”

“Sure she can. When has Randa ever had a guy look at her like Jasper does?”

I bit down harder on my lip.

Never.

I never had.

Hell, I had never even let that become a possibility.

“That kind of attraction, devotion, or whatever it is can’t last,” mom argued.

“We saw dozens of supernatural couples who proved that wasn’t true at Elodie’s wedding alone,” Vi pointed out. “And you and dad are still together.”

“Not looking at each other like that. We’re still together because we’re friends, Viola. There’s no romance.”

“Romance is bullshit anyway,” Vi said.

I didn’t disagree.

I didn’t agree either, though.

I didn’t know what to think, honestly.

I just knew I didn’t want to walk away from Jasper. That wasn’t technically a huge development, since it wasn’t an option to begin with. But if felt like one.

Footsteps sounded on the tile behind me, so I turned around. For whatever reason—probably a magical one—my body relaxed immediately when I saw Jasper walking next to my dad, neither of them bleeding or sporting bruises.

His gaze slid over me. “You okay?” he asked me mentally.

“I should be asking you that question.”

He chuckled into my mind. “I’m fine, Sweetheart. I’ll tell you about the conversation later.”

“See, they’re doing it again. She’s totally flustered,” Vi said, giving our mom a knowing look.

“I am not,” I protested, slipping off my chair and turning to face the men.

“You are,” Jasper said, his lips curving in a small smile as I crossed the distance between us and gave my dad a quick hug. When I stepped back into place beside him, Jasper’s hand found my lower back.

I couldn’t stop myself from leaning against him just a little, though I said, “You’re supposed to be on my side.”

“I am. I just like it when you blush.”

My face heated further, and Vi laughed.

My dad gave me a grudging smile.

And my stomach rumbled, loudly.

The popcorn hadn’t cut it.

“I can put tonight’s dinner in the oven,” my mom said, though her expression was still tight.

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