“I understand and understand better what you’ve tried to discuss with me before,” he said with a sigh. “It came off more confrontational and I wasn’t open to hearing it.”
“We’ve all been under too much pressure, and I absolutely didn’t handle it all as well as I could have,” she accepted before looking at me. “Clare, Tracey, and I agree that your stance is that the potion your parents gave Gregg Haddock knocked you out and wreaked havoc on your body.”
I sighed. “And like any smart, reasonable woman, I took a pregnancy test to be sure.” Then her look to Wyatt made sense. “Especially given the relationship between the Shaw and Wyatt families. But I didn’t know it was him. Make it clear that it was an unnamed rescuer and not wanting to be named was what put me on edge.”
“Good, even better. He wanted to stay unnamed to protect himself from your family, but of course that would worry you,” she agreed, jotting down notes. “Now, we need to make it clear you are dating one person, committed and only—”
“Winter,” I whispered.
Everyone went quiet and a throat cleared before his deep voice filled the room. “You sure, little sexy?”
No… But it made the most sense.
6
I sucked it up and glanced at each of them before focusing on Winter… But then chickened out and stared at my hands, picking at my cuticles. “You don’t have family to lose and that’s still a risk. You’re the most powerful and have the best backup. I…”
“We won’t be upset, foxy,” Sergey said quietly. “I agree with your pick even if I hate it.”
I blinked back tears and met his gaze. “I’m as much of a liability to your situation as you are to mine. If we go public, we know what people will say. I was willing though, but your families are doubling down. I think we use our situation and make it clear that there was interest, but I wouldn’t risk the issues, and even that made you realize you couldn’t have a life until you were free.”
“Agreed,” he and Tracey said together. “And I’ve talked to Mama about this. She hates to use your pain, but she agreed that it would send a powerful message.”
I bobbed my head and focused on Kelton. “I don’t feel stable enough with you to announce it to everyone. I think we’ll be okay but…”
“I know, Bev. I hate this—I hate we have to be here and deal with this. That our world is so fucking sexist and shit all overyou, but I agree with your choice too.” He sniffed loudly and looked away. “I hate that we’ll have to hide.”
“Not forever,” Clare said gently. “One day, things could be different. It’s much more likely you guys will break up than it will be forever.”
“I don’t think that helps, but maybe it does,” Kelton grumbled.
But she wasn’t wrong.
“And we know what we are,” I said to Nigel.
“And what I hope we can be one day,” he replied without pushing. “But I’m glad Professor Wyatt can be your priest and keep it platonic. I could be your platonic point with promise. There’s no rush, Bev.”
I felt my cheeks heat and focused on Winter, glad when he smiled. “I want to call you my big sexy, but that’s too loaded.” I rolled my eyes when a few people coughed or tried to cover a laugh. “Exactly. But I feel the most secure with you. You get me in a way that—you were the first person I told I could hear animals, Jack Frost.
“We’ve had the least amount of hiccups and I need that right now. I feel like I can come to you about almost anything. And you see me—appreciate how hard I try or when I do nice things. You appreciate when I appreciate you.” I frowned, hoping that made sense. “Plus, the other stuff.”
“Plus, the other stuff,” he chuckled. He stood and moved closer with his chair, moving Jasmine a bit so he could scoot in next to me. He plopped down and booped my nose. “Yeah, I appreciate when you count my using my magic for our circles as little gifts. I make sure you eat when you get lost in work and check in because you’re always doing cute stuff for us. I get it.”
I swallowed loudly. “So will you be my public boyfriend?”
He opened his mouth but then closed it, studying me. “But for real, right? We’re going to be official, not just for show.”
I nodded. “Slowly. I don’t know how to be a girlfriend.” I glanced to Clare. “We don’t have to call it that, right?”
“No, you don’t, and I would suggest you say ‘dating’ or involved with, because most think girlfriend/boyfriend have already had sex,” she warned. “Then he’s going to be harassed about how much power he got from your purity.”
“Why is everything always so fucking complicated?” I grumbled.
“Because life sucks and then you die,” Clare answered evenly. She snorted when everyone looked at her like she’d grown another head. “Don’t come for me for sunshine and rainbows. I’m full of piss and vinegar. Always.”
I snorted and was glad when we shared a look that we were on the same page and I wasn’t making fun of her. It was nice actually.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered as I stood. Then I looked at Jasmine. “Thank you. I want to look over what’s said before the press conference is held over my fucking virginity and dating life.”
