Page 30 of Just a Friend for the Lion
“And you think this will fix my problem?”
“Oh no, my dear. This will complicate everything beautifully. You’ll either get a new ping, or a certain cowardly Lion will get off his fuzzy behind and finally fight for what the Fates already gave him.”
Dina leans over to whisper, “He means Carter.”
“Obviously,” I snap. “I’m not going to a mansion in the woods just to play ring-around-the-rosy with other maybe-mates.”
But then Carina gets that look.
The one where she’s picturing me blissed out, barefoot and mated, with a little cub of my own stealing my heart.
“You deserve love too, MJ,” she says softly.
And damn it.
I might not believe in fated mates the waythey do.
But I do want someone who sees me.
Who chooses me. Even if it’s not Carter Leone.
So maybe I’ll go.
And maybe that stupid hot Lion with his big gold eyes and mouth made for sin will be there, too.
If not?
Well, this Hudson River mansion better have good snacks.
Chapter 11
Carter
Okay, so I’m agitated.
Nervous.
Pissed as hell.
Mostly at myself.
Every time I walk into Pizza Girls—which, yes, has been at least once a day this week, don’t judge—I barely catch a glimpse of MJ. And when I do?
She disappears.
Vanishing act. Houdini-level avoidance.
Like I’m some creepy stalker instead of the idiot who did exactly what she asked—except not really, because I also didn’t unmatch her.
But come on.
Did I stay outof her way?
Absolutely not.
I meant to. Really.
But then I logged into Date to Mate—just to check—and saw her picture again. And what did I do?
