Page 37 of Stuck with my Frenemy
“Personally, it sounds like you are making excuses for him. Every single person in all the worlds, human or otherwise, is responsible for their own actions. Whether he could handle a woman who put food and drink on your table or not, he reacted the way he did because he made that decision. And you remembering the good instead of the bad doesn’t erase the fact that he didn’t take responsibility for what he’d done.” The anger simmering inside of me for what Bernie and his family had gone through, even not knowing the half of it, just pissed me off on his behalf. Maybe it was the mate thing, or maybe it was because everyone had a tendency to not accept responsibility most of the time, but no matter what it was, it made me angry. Mistakes were a part of everyday life, so why were so many unable to admit them?
Why was my mom unable to admit them?
Plus, I could feel that even though Bernie said he didn’t focus on the bad, his emotions told me otherwise. He just couldn’t deal with it, so he was deflecting. Which meant we had a lot in common after all. I was the queen of deflecting, crown and all.
“I’m not making excu—”
I interrupted him. “It’s okay. Listen, I just met you, and family talk is a little heavy, even if we are mates. It doesn’t have to happen now, but when you are ready to face that stuff, I’ll be here to listen.” Pausing, I snuck a glance at him and saw nothing but appreciation lining his amazing features. “Anywhoooo, what do you like to do for fun?”
He shrugged. “I’ve always just enjoyed collecting things. I love history, but after tonight, I’m thinking it wasn’t a hobby I discovered on my own.”
My interest was piqued, and I ignored the mention of Loki’s ramblings. “Is that why you sell antiques?”
He beamed at me. “As far back as I can remember, I’ve always loved old things. Been drawn to them. It’s crazy, I know, but it makes a lot more sense now after what Loki said. Descendants of Thor. Talk about mind blown.”
Grinning like an idiot, I nodded. “I can understand that. You were born human, though, so who would’ve ever told you? I’m sure your parents had no idea because, let me tell you from experience, all the gods are asshats.”
“Sometimes I wonder, though. Because of the way my dad was in the end, it makes me wonder if he thought he’d been destined for greater things and that’s why he couldn’t handle my mom’s success.”
“Hmm”—I shuffled my feet, sliding them across the concrete and almost face-planting, but I righted myself just as Bernie’s hands hovered over my waist to catch me—“maybe. That actually explains a lot when you think about it.”
Quiet filled the street then, but it wasn’t uncomfortable or awkward. In fact, it was quite pleasant. Oh, dear Cupid, I was totally in trouble here.
“So, what about you? Your parents?”
“My mother is Aphrodite, the goddess of love. The sexy woman who can seduce any man to tears.”
“Oh shit. No wonder you’re so gorgeous then,” Bernie blurted, his eyes widening as if he didn’t mean to say that.
“Thank you, sweet man, but being her daughter comes with some big shoes to fill. I just hope I make her proud one day.” The words came out without me even thinking of what I wanted to say, and the minute they did, I had my own “Bernie moment” because I wished I hadn’t said any of that. It was way too early to get into family drama, which is why I’d changed the subject before.
I should have just kept my mouth shut in the first place. Then we could’ve walked to the house in silence and not had any of this conversation. Deep in my heart, all I wanted was to crack a joke and lighten the mood. Hell, I’d be happy to fall on my face just to change the subject away from family.
Sidewalk rash would heal quick. Even if it was on my face.
“Listen, if we really are mates, we have plenty of time to talk about these things as we get to know each other. Like the rest of our lives, to be exact, so let’s give it some time and not overdo it all now.” I batted my eyelashes, unable to think of any other way to change the subject because I just couldn’t think around this man.
At all.
A frown marred the corners of his luscious lips, and the minute my eyes locked on them, I wanted to press mine against them.
“What do you mean ‘if we are mates?’ I thought that umm…whatever he was back there said—”
I held my hand up between us. “Just stop right there. That guy is Loki, god of mischief, so I would learn real quick not to listen to a word he says. He’s always causing problems. It’s in his nature. Take his words with a grain of salt. He may have been telling the truth, but it could all be just another of his not-so-funny jokes.”
A bob of his head was all I got in reply, and a side-eyed wary glance.
After that, we fell quiet. I couldn’t tell if it was the comfortable type or not, though. Not when I was so anxious I wanted to scratch my way out of my own body. Another block disappeared behind us, and I looked up at the street sign, realizing we were definitely close to home.
Finally.
Bernie’s long fingers circled my wrist, and he pulled me to him, stopping our forward progression. “I believe him.”
Our eyes locked then, and before I knew what was happening, our faces were creeping closer and closer. After a few seconds, only our breaths separated us, and I took in his heady scent of sandalwood and male. Scrumptiousness!
His words fogged my brain, because at the end of the day, I believed Loki too. There was no way I would be this nervous around anyone otherwise. But admitting that out loud right then didn’t feel right.
I had no idea why, either.
