“Pandora played a role in getting Lucas and me together,” Zoe said. “Imagine my surprise when an exotic dancer showed up at the Network, volunteering to help out on a case.”
“Whoa, that sounds like some story,” I replied.
“It was indeed,” Lucas said with a grin. “My dragon knew Zoe was the one from the first moment, but it knocked me off guard—and off balance.” He grinned but when his gaze wandered to her, his amused expression softened to one more wistful. “I was confused about a lot of things but knew I wanted to be around her and keep her safe. When I talked to Pandora about helping out the case—”
“I then find out that Pandora has assigned him to help me on my investigation,” Zoe finished with a laugh.
“That’s right, partner,” Lucas agreed.
They summarized how their stakeouts brought them closer. “So, you can see how we’d want to help her find the right someone,” Zoe added.
“And she’s such a wonderful person. We just want her to be happy,” Nova added.
“As much as I appreciate your offer to help, I need to do this on my own,” I said.
“What are you thinking?” Diego asked.
I shrugged. “I don’t know. She mentioned she liked Blondie when we heard her on the radio. I was thinking of getting tickets to the upcoming show in Boston.”
“Yes, that’s a great idea,” Lucas said. He turned to the others. “We can all go.”
“Lucas,” Diego warned in a stern tone.
“What? I love live music.”
“We can’t be there during their date,” Zoe added.
That was if we even had one. I didn’t ask Pandora yet, and she could still say no.
When I returned home,I saw Pandora’s lights on. This was the moment. I’d waited all day and hoped I wouldn’t strike out.
I pulled out my phone and ordered two tickets. Then I walked over to her front door, heart pumping louder with each step. When I knocked on her door, my hand was clammy.
She answered it. “Austin.”
My name from her lips sounded musical. I met her gaze, and my heart sputtered. Her scent reached me and left me heady. My bear lolled inside, basking in the presence of our mate.
I almost forgot why I came here and fumbled to pull my phone out from my back pocket. Smooth start. I pulled up the tickets on the screen. “Hi Pandora.” I attempted to sound relaxed, but my voice sounded oddly strangled. “Blondie and The Damned are playing in Boston on Sunday night. I know you like Blondie, so I bought two tickets. Would you like to join me?”
PANDORA
Austin was on my doorstep asking me out, somewhat flustered and super sweet. He was so considerate to buy tickets to a show I’d love to see but likely never would have trekked down to Boston to do so.
I arched one brow. “You’re not concerned about another catastrophic night with me?”
He gave me a boyish grin. “I’d rather spend a disastrous night with you than a bland one without you.”
The way my insides fluttered squashed all the sensible things I told myself about why we shouldn’t be together. The smart part of me, the one that wanted to guard my heart from any pain like the kind I’d suffered with Marius nudged me to protect myself and turn this down.
The rest of my body hollered yes.
“Well, we did connect during speed dating.” I slanted him a look with a slow-spreading grin. “Isn’t it proper that we actually go out together?”
His eyes gleamed with expectation. “Yes, how about dinner and a show?”
My pulse shot up a notch. “It’s a date.”
* * *
