Page 69 of Dancing with My Elf
Something that had been nagging at the back of my mind rose to the surface. “Gianna, I know you looked at a picture of the demon but—” I hesitated, knowing this would be difficult for her. “—would you consider coming into the Network to take a closer look?”
She stiffened. Her normal unfettered expression turned troubled. “I don’t see why that’s necessary.”
Nova adjusted in her seat, possibly discomfited by me pushing her friend. Was I stepping over the line?
“It might not be,” I explained. “But then again, you might be able to provide more insight. After all, you’ve had more time with those creatures than anyone.”
“Don’t remind me.” She glanced away. “I don’t think so. You have plenty of people at the Network who have access and are far more capable than me to figure things out.”
It was a no, which was what I expected. “Sorry to bring up a touchy subject. I thought I’d ask.”
“I get it,” Gianna said.
“You okay?” Nova asked her.
“Yes.” Gianna raised her chin and forced a smile. “Let’s switch to a happier topic.” Her eyes gleamed with excitement as she fixed her gaze on me. “What’s going on with you and Lucas?”
I tapped my feet on the floor as the tables were being turned on me. “We’re just hanging out.” What was I, in high school? I used the same noncommittal line I had with Pandora.
“As in having a good time?” Gianna prodded. “A verysatisfyingtime?”
“Ah, Gianna.” Nova brought her fingers together with a slight smile. “It’s totally you to turn a discussion you don’t like to one you do.” She arched her brows and turned to me. “Meaning sex.”
Gianna leaned back, holding her glass in her hand. “Sex is totally natural and fun. Besides, Zoe deserves to be treated well.”
“Yeah, but this is Lucas,” Nova countered and raised her hands to the side of her ears. “I don’t want to hear about his sex life.”
“Don’t worry, you won’t,” I said. “Besides, it’s nothing serious. We’re just—having fun.”
Ugh, when it came to labeling whatever it was we were doing, I was as eloquent as a barking seal.
“That’s good,” Nova said. “Considering what he’s like. I wouldn’t want to see you getting hurt.”
A twinge of discomfort at the back of my neck returned. “What do you mean exactly?”
Nova shifted in the seat and took a sip of her drink. “You know. He’s fun, for sure, but not the type to settle down.”
“You don’t know that for sure.” Gianna raised her index finger. “Sebastian was the same way.” She beamed and placed her hand in front of her ample chest. “Until he met me.”
“True.” Nova cocked her head. “But you also have that connection with being mates. That won’t happen to Lucas, according to him.”
“Why not?” I asked, hating that I cared.
“He thinks because his parents weren’t true mates, and he’s only half shifter, that it won’t happen,” Nova explained.
I adjusted in my seat and twirled the ice around my glass. “Oh, I see.” That moment he’d said “mate” returned when he noted his dragon was confused. My neck tightened with strain, so I rubbed it.
“It’s too bad,” Nova said. “It would be awesome if you two were a couple. We had so much fun last night.”
“And you’re so cute together,” Gianna added. “He seems really into you.” She raised the almost empty pitcher. “Refills?”
“No, thanks. I’m good.”
“Then again, with his job, you’re probably better off with keeping things casual.” Gianna shook her head. “I was never the jealous type, but I don’t think I could deal with Sebastian stripping and showing off his goods for a bunch of hollering women trying to stick dollar bills too close tohisdanger zone.”
I took a giant gulp of my cocktail, but it didn’t wash away the sour taste in my mouth. “He seems to like his job.” The image of him doing that exact thing in front of a woman possibly at that very moment twisted me with discomfort. No way would I ever admit that to him. He deserved to be happy, enjoying what he did for a living.
Nova and Gianna exchanged a glance, one I couldn’t decipher, but it appeared packed with speculation. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what they were thinking.
