Page 48 of Sunshine

Talia looked like she wanted to say more, but didn’t. “You’re right. Scent matches make things so much more emotional but you’re right.”

“Thank you for saying that,” I said with a rush of relief. Maybe we could get through this. “It hurt so bad hearing you defend her actions. Knowing you would be furious if she did the same thing to you.”

“I get that.” Talia pushed some hair out of her face. “But I’m here for you, Sunshine. I’m sorry if I haven’t been doing a good job. I thought I was doing the right thing.”

“I know.” I sighed. “We’ll figure it out.”

I spent the rest of the afternoon talking to Talia, catching up on the beta she was dating, how her business was going, and everything else.

It still hurt, but I felt better about the whole business with Becca.

If we just kept talking through things, we could make it work. I wouldn’t have to lose both of my best friends, and maybe that’s what I’d been the most worried about.

My phone pinged.

Julian:

Can you swing by the Sweetfern Country club?

I’m getting off work soon and Logan’s almost finished his catering thing

He wants to talk menus and I want to take advantage of the delicious food

I smiled.

Sunshine:

What sort of food is involved?

“You’re grinning.” Talia leaned over my phone. “I see hunting Pack Kahele is going well.”

“I’m not hunting them.” I huffed. “I have to hammer out some menus with Logan, and Julian just got off of work.”

“Tell him yes.” Talia gestured at my phone. “He wouldn’t ask you if he wasn’t interested.”

I blushed, feeling weird. “It’s just for work.”

“He likes you,” Talia said confidently. “He wouldn’t be spending so much time with you if he didn’t.”

“They like their pack small, Talia. They could have any other pack member they wanted.”

I almost asked Talia for advice about how to figure out if they were actually dating or not, but she kept talking.

“You’re amazing.” Talia continued. “You’re smart, beautiful, and you don’t treat Julian like he’s your ticket into a pack.”

“Because he’s not,” I muttered. I decided not to say anything. She was already embarrassing around Julian, I didn’t want to know what she would do next if she thought I wasn’t moving quickly enough.

“Tell him yes. It’s just for work, as you said.” Talia nudged me.

Before I thought better of it, I texted back.

Sunshine:

What time should I meet you?

Julian:

An hour?

---