Page 46 of The Bear's Reluctant Mate

Marion had watched her once-vibrant sister transform into a hollow-eyed stranger who defended Razor even as he destroyed their lives. Heather had believed in him, trusted him, and Marion had trusted her sister’s judgment. Until it was too late and Heather had lost everything. Including her son.

“Alfie is different,” she told her reflection firmly. “He’s kind. Genuine.”

The kiss they’d shared last night had been real. The connection between them was real. She was being paranoid, letting old fears poison something beautiful before it had a chance to grow.

Taking a deep breath, Marion smoothed her hair and squared her shoulders. She would accept Alfie’s offer. They would build something together, both the soap business and whatever was blossoming between them.

She pushed open the bathroom door, a smile already forming on her lips, then froze.

Alfie stood near their table, holding hands with another woman. They were laughing together, looking relaxed and…intimate. As Marion watched, the woman leaned forward and pressed a lingering kiss to Alfie’s cheek. His face lit up with a wide, delighted grin that made Marion’s stomach clench.

Before either could notice her, Marion ducked back into the bathroom, her heart thudding painfully against her ribs. She leaned against the door and squeezed her eyes shut.

How could she have been so stupid? So naïve? Of course, someone like Alfie—handsome, funny, and kind—would already have someone in his life. The kiss they’d shared clearly hadn’t meant to him what it had to her.

Humiliation burned through her, followed quickly by anger—at herself more than Alfie. She’d let her guard down and started to believe in fairy tales again.

“Fool me once,” she whispered bitterly, thinking of how Heather had insisted Razor was different, special, misunderstood.

Marion splashed cold water on her face, willing her hands to stop shaking. She needed to leave—now—before she had to face Alfie and pretend she hadn’t seen anything. She couldn’t bear to hear his explanations or, worse, his pity.

Pulling out her phone, she texted him quickly:Something came up with Charlie. Have to go. Talk later.

It wasn’t her proudest moment, using Charlie as an excuse, but she needed to escape. Time to think, to rebuild her walls before facing Alfie again.

She waited until she heard the distinctive chime of his phone receiving her message, then slipped out of the bathroom and headed straight for the side exit, keeping her head down. The bright morning that had seemed so full of promise now felt harsh and mocking as she hurried to her car.

As she drove away, tears blurred her vision. One kiss under the stars, and she’d forgotten everything life had taught her about trust and caution. She wouldn’t make that mistake again.

Marion drove through Bear Creek’s winding streets, trying to organize her thoughts. Charlie would be in school for hours yet—she had time to pull herself together before he saw her. Thelast thing he needed was to see her upset, to have his own fragile happiness threatened.

As she pulled up on the drive, her phone buzzed with a text from Alfie:Is Charlie okay? Can I help?

But Alfie’s concern for Charlie made everything worse somehow.

Another text followed quickly:About the business proposal. No pressure. Just know the offer stands regardless.

What could she say? That she’d been ready to say yes until she’d seen him with another woman? That she’d foolishly believed their connection was unique and special?

That she’d started to fall in love with him?

The realization hit her with stunning clarity. She wasn’t just attracted to Alfie, wasn’t just grateful for his kindness to Charlie. She was falling in love with him.

And now she had to stop before it was too late. But deep down, she knew it already was too late.

Alfie Thornberg owned her heart.

Chapter Fifteen – Alfie

Alfie checked his phone for what must be the thousandth time that day. Nothing. Which left him more than a little confused.

Everything had been going great when Marion visited the garden center yesterday. His mate had been excited about the prospect of opening her own business making and selling handmade soaps, and then she had left.

Just like that.

She’d blamed it on Charlie needing her, but Alfie sensed that was just an excuse. But why?

You must have said something,his bear accused.

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