Page 43 of Fastlander Fallen

The next hour was taken up with frozen pizzas, ice cream, PJs, and girl-talk about how Hallie was adjusting to the idea of being the mate of an Alpha of a Crew in Damon’s Mountains. And bless Hallie, she didn’t push her to talk about her confusing feelings on Ace. When that subject was finally broached, all Hallie said was, “You know, any man would be lucky to have you.”

Corey forced a smile and leaned back into the couch, curled her knees up to her chest. “We both know even if we chose each other, he would find someone better to settle with.”

“That’s bullshit. Your romantic history does not define who you are as a woman, Corey. It defines them. I know how good you were to them. How many of them tried to come back to you?”

Corey shrugged. Hallie knew that answer. Almost all of them. Didn’t change any of the outcomes, though.

“I’m happy where I am. Men just add stress.”

Hallie’s smile softened. “I wanted to ask you something.”

“Yes.”

Hallie frowned slightly. “You don’t even know the question yet.”

“You want me to take care of your body while you are Turning.”

Hallie’s eyes went round. “Uuuuh, yes, when that time comes. Obviously yes. But that’s not what I was going to ask.”

“Oh. What then?” she asked.

“Gunner and I are going to do a courthouse wedding, and I know it won’t be a huge deal, but I wanted to know if you would…” She inhaled deeply. “We need a witness, but I would love it if you stood beside me as my maid of honor.”

Corey’s heart filled. “What?” she whispered thickly.

“He gave me a ring, but it’s in the shop being sized to fit me. I wanted to show it to you when it was sized and tell you all about it, but the jeweler is slow as molasses.”

“Yes!”

“Yes?”

“Fuck yeah I’ll stand beside you, Hallie.”

“And you’ll be there when I Turn?”

Her eyes and her heart were so full. In a thick voice that threatened to choke her, Corey whispered, “I would be honored.”

“And will you consider being a part of the Crew?”

“Hallie.”

“I know you said you needed time, but I want you to really think about it. You said you feel like an outsider, and I hate that. This way you would be at every meeting, you would be in the know, you would understand everything that is happening with my life, because it would be your life too.”

“I don’t know if that’s my path, Hallie. It’s your path, I can see it. I don’t know for me.”

“And I understand that. I’m just asking you to open your heart to the possibility.”

She gave her a look, and at last promised, “I’ll think about it. Just like I said in the interview.”

“That’s all I ask.”

Corey’s phone lit up with a text on the coffee table, and she frowned as she leaned forward to read it. Currently, it was three-fifteen in the morning. Who would be texting her this late?

It was Ace.

Can’t sleep. I’m sorry. I could see you were embarrassed and I couldn’t stop talking, and then I tried to kiss you, and I’m fuckin’ sorry, Corey. I really don’t understand myself.

It felt honest. She pursed her lips against an empty smile and texted him back. Everything is okay! I’m great. No worries. Send.

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