Page 58 of Beginning Fate

“I doubt that’s true.”

“It’ll be fine. We can just go back to your hotel room and talk or maybe go out to dinner.”

I had the week off from the restaurant I worked at. Since it was freshman welcome week and all, I knew I’d be too busy. But I could still take her there. I didn’t need my employee discount, but I was too frugal not to use it. Plus, I’d never taken a woman there before. It was a nice, higher-end date place, and I’d been careful to never do the whole girlfriend thing.

Thinking back on my decisions in college, I was grateful that I had steered clear of settling down or dating anyone seriously. What a nightmare that would be now. And I was very thankful I’d decided to stay this extra year. Because, what if I’d graduated on time and missed this opportunity to meet Lauren?

It was crazy to think of the forces of nature at work necessary to ensure Lauren and I met here now. This was meant to be our moment. It was perfect timing. I was in awe thinking about it.

“You don’t have to do that, you know.”

“Do what?”

“I can tell you want to go. I’m sure everyone expects you to go.”

“But I’d rather spend time with you.”

And the more I thought about it, the more I really did not want to go. I just wanted to be alone with my mate.

“I know, but we don’t have to do everything I want to do either. I’ve never been to a party, and I really have no desire to, but I can try it. Maybe I’ll love it. I don’t know.”

I started to protest then stopped myself. She deserved to just be carefree and young for once. Maybe a party and a couple of drinks would do her some good.

“Are you sure?”

She nodded, and I started to relax.

Compromise was good in a relationship. Right?

Selfishly I couldn’t wait to show her off and let the others all know this woman was all mine. As long as she stayed by my side, I could handle it. Or at least I hoped I could.

“We’ll make an early appearance and play it by ear. Okay?”

“Okay.”

I couldn’t tell for sure if she was agreeable because she wanted to please me or because she actually wanted to go to the party.

In some ways I suspected my mate and I weren’t all that different. She may not be the people pleaser that I was, but she would give up everything for those she loved, which made her a similar self-sacrificer.

“What do you want to do until then?” I asked, suddenly wanting her to relax and just experience all the things in life that she’d never allowed for herself.

She shrugged. “I have no idea.”

“I’m sure Kylie will be off to get ready with the others soon, so I think I have you all to myself.”

“You aren’t obligated to entertain me every second of the day. I’m perfectly fine with being on my own.”

My wolf growled and before I even considered stopping it, the sound roared from me.

Lauren jumped back.

Fortunately, she didn’t look scared, just surprised, and then maybe even slightly amused.

“I know I don’t have to,” I said, choosing to ignore what had just happened and pretend it was perfectly normal. “But I want to spend time with you. Honestly, I hate the thought ofyou even being out of my sight. I don’t mean that in a stalkerish creepy kind of way or anything.”

“I know what you mean. My wolf gets unsettled when you’re away too.”

It warmed me when she admitted things like that. And it didn’t make me feel quite so crazy.