Page 2 of Combust
Then it struck her. Blaming his bear merely been a polite excuse.
Despite her embarrassment, Maggie nodded eagerly.If I knew what I’m doing wrong on my first dates, I could fix things!
“Please?” she pleaded with him. “I thought things were going pretty well. And that we were having a fun time. I just want a fair chance to see if maybe we could work things out,” she finished lamely.
He blew out a breath. “Well, like I said, you’re reasonably hot.” His gaze dropped to the front of her shirt, leaving no doubt about which of her features he found the most appealing.
“Um, thanks?” ‘Reasonably hot?’ Ugh.She braced herself for whatever was coming next.
“But, uh, you’re kind of bossy. A take-control type. Just like my gran, my clan’s matriarch.” Maggie saw him shudder at those last words.
Outrage surged through her. “I remind you of yourgrandma?”
“You don’t look like her or anything. It’s just, uh, a vibe.” He shrugged. “If it makes you feel better, it’s not just you. Bear shifter chicks in general are the take-control types.” His eyes widened as if he’d received a revelation. “Hey, maybe I need to expand my dating pool! Ordinary girls can be hot. And they don’t always need to be in charge. Maybe I could convince Gran to accept one ofthemas my mate.”
Maggie was pretty sure he hadn’t meant to say that last bit out loud.
She stared at him in despair.I can’t fix who I am,she thought.AndI’m not going to pretend I’m something I’m not.
It was a fact of bear shifter life that clans were matriarchal. The most senior male served as clan enforcer and chief protector, but the females were always in charge.
She immediately began reviewing everything they’d talked about over dinner. What had she said that made her sound too bossy?
The song ended.
Maggie had been aware of her cousins’ curious glances all evening, but they’d respected her privacy and stayed away. She’d told Malia about her date with Andrew, and confessed her hope that he’d say yes to the arrangement. And Malia had likely told everyone else.
Now, as if sensing the invisible waves of disbelief and upset rolling off her, they left the dance floor and came towards her in a posse of concern. Malia looked concerned, and Maggie could already hear her friend exclaiming, “Oh no, Mags. Notagain!”
Her cheeks burning with humiliation, Maggie pushed back her chair and rose to her feet. She desperately wanted to get away from the crowded, noisy club before she ended up sobbing on Malia’s shoulder in public or something.
Besides, I sure as hell don’t want to settle for a man who thinks I’m only ‘reasonably hot!’
“Well, Andrew, it was really nice meeting you. But I have an early shift at the bakery tomorrow,” she lied. “I’d better get going.”
Andrew looked taken aback. “You’releaving?Now?”
What did you expect after telling me that you weren’t interested?she thought but didn’t say. She nodded, and fled in the direction of the exit.
She emerged into the cold, dark gravel parking lot, lit only by the full moon. The silver light gleamed off the cars lined up in haphazard rows.
Maggie headed for where she’d left her old Subaru station wagon.
Behind her, the club door opened, and a flood of music, loud conversation, and laughter poured out.
“Hey, wait up!”
Surprised to hear Andrew’s voice, she turned.
For an instant, he appeared to be angry. But then he smiled, and she figured it had been a trick of the moonlight and shadows.
“Figured the least I could do is walk you to your car,” he explained as he came up next to her.
Neither of them spoke until they were standing next to her Subie.
Andrew turned to face her. His expression was oddly expectant.
“Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. I’m sorry that—” Maggie began.
