Page 58 of Confusing Hearts

Anita reached over and revealed the same on Jenna. “Are you insane?” she shrieked. “Your father is going to kill him, and probably still disown you after he’s dead.”

Jenna turned white. Clearly, she hadn’t thought things through from my side regarding her family situation, either. We still had some talking to do. I vowed to do just that over the weekend at the cabin. We were so distracted and wrapped up with each other and settling in that we didn’t exactly do much talking about that sort of stuff.

“It’s going to be fine, Anita,” I said, trying my best to sound confident.

“I can’t believe you’re bonded, and to a dog,” Anita said to Jenna. I didn’t take it personally. We already knew the prejudices we’d have to face.

“You won’t tell anyone?” Jenna asked hesitantly.

“Who would believe me?” Anita laughed. “Of course I won’t tell anyone.”

“And, we’re cool?” she asked.

Anita rolled her eyes. “No, never.” Both girls cracked up laughing as I frowned. But they hugged, so I could only assume it was some sort of inside joke. “When? Where?”

“Oh, that, well, it sorta happened this weekend,” Jenna confessed, blushing.

“But you were gone this weekend,” Anita challenged.

Matt cleared his throat, grinning. “So was this guy.”

“Where did you go?” Anita asked.

“Home,” I said, smiling.

“But you said you weren’t introducing her to your family till spring break,” Matt pointed out.

“Not San Marco. Our home.”

“Could they come over sometime?” Jenna asked.

I gave her a look that caused her to snake her arm out and smack me in the stomach. I didn’t bother dodging it. She never had to ask me for permission to invite someone over to our home. Her face told me she heard what I was thinking loud and clear.

“Where?” Anita asked.

“We have a cabin only about ten minutes off campus. It’s gorgeous and amazing. I can’t wait to show you.” Jenna squealed with delight as she told Anita about it.

“You bought her a house?” Matt asked, rolling his eyes. “Dude, you are so whipped.”

“You have no idea,” I confessed.

“Damn, I hope Anita doesn’t think I’m buying her a house, too.”

Jenna

Chapter 18

I couldn’t believe how well Anita was handling everything. It gave me unfounded hope that maybe things would work out after all. Still, I scolded myself every time my mind went there. Thinking like that would only lead to more heartache down the road. I knew without a doubt that Daddy would never accept my mate.

Throughout the week she even covered for me on a few occasions so I could get some extra time in with Chase. Anita and I had always had a sort of friendship. With our sisters being best friends, we were constantly thrown together. I guess I had never really seen what a true friend she was to me until all this came out.

“Hey,” Anita said as we were sitting in the café having tea between classes on Thursday. “Some of the girls are heading out of town this weekend, some conference or something. I wasn’t really listening. Are you going?”

I shook my head. I knew what she was talking about. Tessa had mentioned it to me, but I had just seen it as a weekend at the cabin with Chase that wouldn’t be scrutinized.

“Did you already make plans?” she asked.

I shrugged. “Not really any plans, just hanging out at the cabin this weekend. Why? What’s up?”

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