Page 67 of Beginning Fate

I shrugged. “It’s all good. They’re happy, so that’s all that matters.”

“I don’t know if I could do that,” Lauren admitted.

“Do what?”

“Just be okay with you being best friends with another female.”

I wasn’t sure why, but her words made me happy.

“Feeling a little territorial?”

She sighed and looked out the window, turning away from me like she was embarrassed.

“I guess you could say that.”

“I’m sorry I flirted with that woman at the hotel just to save a few bucks. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.”

“It’s alright. I really thought I was handling this whole mating thing just fine, right up until that moment.”

“Well, don’t hit me, but I’m relieved to hear it. I haven’t handled everything nearly as well. I was worried maybe it was more one-sided on my part. I like knowing it affects you, too.”

“How can it not?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve been growling at everyone and constantly on edge, and you just seemed to be taking it all in stride.”

“I guess I’ve had more practice in hiding my emotions well.”

“Because of Kylie?”

“Yup.”

“You don’t have to do that with me, Lauren.”

“Do what?”

“Be so strong all the time and act like nothing bothers you. I can sense sometimes when it does.”

“I can sense you, too. When you’re in a heightened emotional state, that is. Not like all that time.”

“That’s exactly how it is for me, too.”

“It means our bond is growing, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, it does. Does that bother you?”

“Yes, because it will make it so much harder to leave you when it’s time for me to go home.”

I bit my tongue and refused to reply to that.

How the hell was she still talking about going back to New York?

I just couldn’t understand it. My wolf was growing more agitated by the second.

She huffed. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have mentioned leaving. I know your wolf doesn’t like to hear it.”

Damn right he didn’t like hearing it. Neither did I.

I didn’t respond as we pulled up to the restaurant. Out of habit, I parked around the side without even thinking. It meant we had a short walk to the door, but I needed that time to calm myself down.

---