Page 56 of Beginning Fate

“You don’t have to apologize for that.”

“Try telling that to Kylie.” I rolled my eyes.

“Can I come in?” he asked, hesitantly.

I snorted. “It is your room.”

“Not if you need your space.”

“I’m fine. Kylie’s fine. I’ve calmed down. And I really am sorry. The thought of her alone and scared without a way to reach me just freaks me out.”

“But she’s not alone or scared.”

“I know that. And maybe it’s an unfounded fear, but that’s the kind of thing I worry about, so I make sure she always has a way to reach me. I never let my phone die like that. If it hits fifty percent I start to freak out.”

“Guess I was too much of a distraction. It was probably my good looks. I’ll try to be less attractive in the future so you don’t get too distracted.”

I laughed and threw his pillow at him.

He easily ducked out of its path.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“Yeah, sometimes.”

I loved how confident and comfortable he was with himself. Had I ever been that confident about anything for myself? Kylie’s care, sure, but not when it came to me.

And the truth was he wasn’t wrong. He was insanely attractive. I’d never thought that about anyone before. How had Kylie put it? He’s hot. That didn’t even do justice to this gorgeous man.

I was still a little in shock how quickly my sister seemed to accept him. Maybe that’s just how it was with true mates. I really wasn’t sure.

“I know things aren’t perfect. I’m probably what most people consider a hot mess, but are all true matings this easy?”

He barked out a laugh. “First, you’re the furthest thing from a hot mess. I have never met a woman so strong and independent before. I’m not even sure you need me in your life, but I’m not too proud to admit I sure as hell need you.”

I started to protest, but he held up his hand and cut me off.

“And for the other part about easy matings, that’s just not a thing. I’ve been around enough true matings to see that firsthand. I’m glad you aren’t trying to fight it, but most people seem to. I don’t think I ever could, but I’ve seen it happen a lot.Miscommunications, overwhelming emotions, and all that shit while trying to get to know a person is not easy. And sure, we’re going to have some bumps along the road. There will be some ups and downs.”

“Like me freaking out and trying to push you away?” I guessed.

“Yup, stuff like that. I can’t guarantee it’ll always be easy, but I can guarantee that if you stick with me, together we can make it through anything.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because I know how valiantly you fought for Kylie. That speaks volumes for the kind of person you are, Lauren. And if you fight for us with even half that determination, then we’re going to be just fine.”

“And what about you?”

“I’m loyal to a fault. You have nothing to worry about with me. I do tend to be a flirt, and I’ll try to curb that out of respect to you, but it is in my nature, just so you know. But I would never act on it. Hell, I rarely did even before I met you. Now, there’s no way in hell I could ever even look at another woman. You are all I want. You’re all I need. And whatever is best for you is what’s best for me. Even if it means leaving my sanctuary here and following you back to New York, because I was one hundred percent serious about that.”

“Denny . . .”

“We have a few days to decide, and I think we’ve hit enough serious for one day. How about we just go out and have a little fun tonight? The brothers asked to host a party here tonight. I told them it would be okay. Why don’t we hang out, have a few drinks, dance, you know, normal stuff?”

Right. Normal stuff. The normal kind of stuff I have never done in my entire life.

Yet somehow, I couldn’t bring myself to confess that to him. He was president of his fraternity, still in college. He was young and fun, living a carefree life with little responsibility.

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