Page 46 of Something Real with the Sea Monster
“Hmmm. I guess that’s true. You’ve seen Luke shifted when he was near me but it was daytime.”
I nod. You wouldn’t think this would be so complicated. “Anyway, he would have told me if I was his fated mate. That’s the whole point. That’s how this started. He was looking for hismate because he hadn’t found her yet. He wouldn’t have been doing that if he knew it was me all along.”
“You’re right.” Mia looks crestfallen. “But don’t give up hope. Besides, it’s not everything. Do you guys have good chemistry?”
I grin. “You could say that.”
“Then you’ve slept together?” She glances at her phone. “I want to hear all about it, but I have to go meet Luke at the place he’s working on in ten minutes. He asked me to paint them a mural in their living room, and I want to measure the space and check the lighting. Can we chat more later?”
“Of course.”
She gives me a hug as she stands to leave the café. “I’m so excited, Teegs. This is the best news I’ve had all week.”
I give her a halfhearted smile. Somehow the shine has gone off it already. I’m left thinking about what she said. Wouldn’t I have noticed if Jack’s tentacles were glowing? That seems like a thing a girl would notice. Not that it changes anything. I mean, yesterday I didn’t think I was his fated mate. Nothing has changed.
Only imagine years down the track if we were together and he started suddenly glowing for someone else? That’s too awful to contemplate. I could go years and invest my heart in the relationship, and would it be over just like that? Would he leave me if he found his true mate?
I push aside the rest of my sandwich and take the long way to work, trying to buy myself time before I have to see Jack.
I don’t know what I want to say to him, but I know I’ll blurt something out as soon as I see him. By the time I get to the Inlet Views, I still don’t know. I want to ask him why he hasn’t glowed for me, but that’s ridiculous. He doesn’t have any control over it. I really want to ask if he can see this lasting if we’re not fated mates, but I’m too scared of the answer now I’ve let myself care.
An unfamiliar car pulls up in the carpark and I hurry inside, assuming it must be new guests who want to check in. I want to talk to Jack before they arrive.
When I open the door, Jack looks up in surprise and closes the screen of his laptop suddenly. “Oh, ah, Tegan. Hi. You’re early.”
I narrow my eyes. “Yeah. Why do you sound so guilty?”
“Guilty? I was just looking at the um… footage we got of the spa.” He coughs. “I’m not sure we’ll be able to use it for promotional material, though. Not most of it, anyway.”
“Why not? What’s—” Then I remember. “Was it filming the whole time?”
His cheeks color. “Yep.”
My bad mood evaporates, and I grin. “Oh really?”
He nods.
I take a few steps closer, watching him speculatively. “And you were watching that at work?”
“I couldn’t help it.” He lowers his voice. “It’s the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.” He shifts, stepping closer to the counter as I try to get a good view of his crotch to see just how hot he thought it was. I might need to see this video.
The bell over the door rings, and we both look over.
I expect the guests I saw pulling into the carpark earlier.
Instead of guests, though, I recognize Noah from Luke and Mia’s wedding. His dark hair is cropped on one side of his head and falls into a long fringe over the right side of his face. He has a tattoo which looks like a tentacle on his neck and piercings all up the shell of his ears. “Hey, Jack!” He gives Jack a bright smile. “We’re here a bit early. Their flight got in ahead of schedule.”
Behind Noah, an older couple file into reception. Jack’s parents, I realize. Joanne’s gray hair was longer at the wedding. It has been cut into a short, breezy pixie cut, and she has large sunglasses pushed up on top of her head. But it’s Rob who looks most changed since I saw them last. At Luke and Mia’s wedding,I remember Luke’s father looking old and weary, with dark circles under his eyes. Today he’s standing straight and his smile looks relaxed and happy. “Jack! How are you? The place looks fantastic.”
I guess we’ll have to watch the video later. I’m disappointed for a moment until I see the smiles on everyone’s faces.
Jack comes forward from behind the counter to hug his parents. “Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. Good to see you. Do you remember Mia’s friend Tegan?”
They turn to me with smiles almost as warm as they greeted Jack with, and I’m reminded how Mia always talks about how friendly and welcoming they are. “Tegan. So lovely to see you again. You’ve been helping Jack out around here while we were gone?” Joanne says.
“Yeah.” I have half a second to feel awkward, wondering if they know or if Jack is going to tell them.
Then he steps close and puts his arm around me, pulling me against his side. “More than helping, Mom. Tegan has been amazing. She’s responsible for all the good changes. And I’m hoping she’s going to stick around a lot longer.” He gives me a little squeeze and a smile. “To be with me.”
