Page 12 of So I Won a Werelion

“And you want that kind of commitment.”

“I want any kind of commitment.” She was off the couch, pacing in the tiny trailer. “Do you know I told him every detail—Every. Detail. —of my dates since he left, hoping that just once, I could make him say that’s enough, I want you for myself? Why do you think I went toThe Real Werewivesaudition? I figured when I told him a wolf was about to claim me on live TV, he might finally make a move. But nope, that wasn’t enough either.”

“He told me when he learned about Sterling he’d make sure…what were his exact words? Another beast would never lay a paw on you ever again—that was it. But to be clear, you wanted him to give up his career in New Zealand—”

“No! I would never expect him to give up his career. He would’ve resented me. I would’ve been perfectly happy to go to New Zealand. It’s not like I have anything going on here. I’m selling houses with my sister. I got chased away from archeology. So if I thought going all the way across the world would’ve gotten Gabe to commit, I would’ve been on the first plane out of here. But he never even invited me to come see him.”

I could work with all of this. The archeology tidbit was intriguing, but right now, I had a friendship to save, and a romantic relationship to set into motion. I leaned forward in the chair and tented my bejeweled fingers. “Does he seem different to you since he’s been home?”

She shrugged. “He’s been standoffish, like he doesn’t want to see me, ever since Cindy’s mating ceremony.” She turned to me. “Wait. You knew he would be here, didn’t you?”

“Guilty.”

Her mouth dropped. “Bibi! Why would you do this without telling me? Why did he think that he needed to do this? All he had to do was say the word, and I would have been his.”

“But when he finally did come to you, you said no.”

She let out a sigh.

“He came to me after Cindy’s ceremony, devastated—”

“Hewas devastated? He was the one who acted like he was about to kiss me and walked away instead.” She bit out a laugh and tipped her head back.

Maybe I should’ve let Gabriel come with me for this conversation. A lot of emotions were being cleared.

She rolled her eyes and lowered her voice. “’You’ll make your mate a very happy man.’ That’s what he said. Ugh! Everyone who was there saw what happened. I was so embarrassed. I couldn’t even get my best friend to commit to me.”

“Mating ceremonies have a way of making feelings come to the surface.” I’d kissed Hugo at Cindy’s ceremony, after swearing I’d keep everything professional. And then, I’d threatened to fire him. I had no idea what I’d actually do with the wolf. But my life could wait until I fixed Wendy’s. “If I remember correctly, you pulled Cindy aside and said you were worried about that very thing happening, and that Gabe was getting the wrong idea. So that can’t be the reason we’re having this conversation, unless you’re doing this to get back at him for humiliating you that night.”

“No! I wouldn’t do anything to hurt him. But he made a pretty strong declaration all those years ago, and he’s never wavered on it. So when he acted like he wanted something more, it wasn’t like him. I didn’t want him to do something he’d regret later.”

“You mean, something that would hurt you.”

“That too.”

“Why did you invite him to the mating ceremony?”

“I’d barely seen him since he’d been back, so I thought it would be fun. And I didn’t want to do anythingIregretted at the ceremony. He was the perfect plus one.”

“What would be so bad about kissing Gabe?” It was a relief that she was willing to talk. Wendy had a tendency to shut down sometimes, too. Retreat, like Gabriel so aptly said.

Playing small was not an option this time, darling.

A dreamy look played on her face. Oh, she could play hardball all she wanted, but she wanted the big cat. “I’m sure he’s an amazing kisser. I was so pissed in the moment that I didn’t get to find out. But here’s the thing, Bibi. He’s the only shifter that’s ever taken me seriously.”

I waved my hand in front of my body. “I’m right here.”

“Okay,youand him.” She grinned and took a seat on the couch again, like she was finally willing to work with me. “I can’t imagine my life without Gabe. I’m afraid to lose him.”

“Accepting Gabe’s offer will undoubtedly change your relationship, but isn’t that exciting? What if, instead of thinking that you lost him, you think about how amazing this new chapter in your relationship could be?”

“Because every other shifter has broken my heart. Becausehe’sbroken my heart.”

I put my hand over hers. “If you’re willing to give him a chance, I think the results will be different this time.”

“It’s best if I step away from the show.”

“Wendy! No.” This was the worst-case scenario. But she was doing exactly what I’d suggested Gabriel do. Taking some time. Maybe I had to give it to her. But that didn’t mean I wouldn’t fight to get her back.

---