I stiffened. Huh?
She winked. “You know, the men around here like to take theirtime.”
I felt my cheeks turn beat red. “I am innoway thinking about relationships, men, dating, or anything of that sort!”
She laughed, crinkles forming at the corners of her blue eyes. “Really? Because I saw the way you two were dancing. And it looked more than a little friendly.”
Was I so obvious? My heart raced. “Not even a little.”
“Really?” She arched a brow.
“Really.”
“Because he has the most stunning blue eyes I’ve ever seen.”
“He has green eyes.” I stopped myself too late.
Her grin widened.
“Shut up,” I mumbled and looked away from her.
Daniel was cute, but I wasn’t twenty and running after a hot guy with my mouth hanging open. I had my brother to find, my life to get in order, and my powers to figure out. Plus, I swore this was already the longest darn day of my life. There was definitely no energy left for thinking about the handsome shifter.
A shifter I had learned a lot about the last few days. Apparently, shifters weren’t like werewolves. They could control when they changed, and most of them changed into wolves rather than anything crazy mythical. Daniel was unique, they’d explained, because he was a bear shifter. A bear?
I still hadn’t quite wrapped my mind around it all.
My gaze moved back to the house, and I tried not to tap my thigh. I was exhausted, but couldn’t help but stare at the little house with the porch swing and colorful, wild-looking flowers planted around the yard. The place screamedCarol, from the dozens of windchimes hanging on the porch to the suncatchers reflecting in the windows. But Deva had been living with her for over a year, and there were little touches of her too. A couple of potted plants, all in a row. A stone walking path that looked new and carefully tended. I had heard she’d even started a garden in the back.
It was strange, them living together. Carol was wild and fun, but definitely liked her space. For some reason, the fact that she’d never married, or even seemed mildly interested in dating, had seemed normal for her.
But organized Deva living with Carol? I never thought it would happen. Unlike my marriage, Deva and her husband started out so perfect. High school sweethearts. A sweet proposal. Everything that people say should lead to living happily-ever-after. She’d settled into being married and having kids like it was what she was always meant for. And now, picturing her single and living in the chaos that was Carol’s home? It was hard to imagine. But maybe good for both of them.
“How are they as roommates?”
Beth grinned next to me, flashing those dimples of hers. “Surprisingly, they’re doing great. Deva likes feeling like she has someone to take care of still, with her girls scattered around the world and her ex gone. She was getting lonely in her big house. And Carol has always seemed so happy to live alone, but I swear she’s been giddy since Deva moved in. You know she thrives with an audience.”
“She says that about you,” I said, giving a tired smile.
Beth rolled her eyes and tugged at her long blonde hair, something she’d been doing since we were kids. “I’m glad for them. But I honestly give it another year before Deva starts dating Marquis.”
“Really?” I lifted my head from the headrest, suddenly intrigued. I’d thought she was more likely to get back with her ex than some new guy. “Tell me all about the mysterious Marquis.”
“You know him. Remember? He was short, big glasses, and braces. Sweet, but really quiet.”
“ThatMarquis?” I was shocked. I tried to match him up with the confident Deva and couldn’t.
“Well, he got taller in high school. In college, he lost his braces and filled out a bit. Now, he’s a handsome guy, and the town doctor. He’s still kind of a shy guy, but there’s no question he’s got a thing for her. I think he’s just waiting for any sign she might be ready.”
I leaned back and closed my eyes. “I’d love to see her with someone like that. He sounds like the opposite of Harry.”
“He is.” She sighed. “But Deva doesn’t even seem to be willing to acknowledge him.”
“Give her time,” I said.
Time. That was what I needed too. I might have been thrown into a new life, but in so many ways I was still the same me. Deva and I were similar in that way. We wanted to move on, but we weren’t there quite yet.
“Shit,” Beth whispered. “Why does he have to be here, now?”
