I let my smug grin cover my face until I was out of his office and down the hallway. Then and only then did I sink down against the wall and breathe.
My heart raced in my chest, a hurricane of emotions fighting for first place, as I realized what exactly had just happened in there.
That moment in Julian’s office was a crossing point for us. I knew it. I could see it in his eyes. We might have had something eventually at some point. But me with Tate and Kyren? That crossed a line.
Julian didn’t want me anymore.
And while I had Tate and apparently Kyren, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to let go of him yet… if ever.
Chapter twenty-one
Jack
Apiercingsquealrangin my ears as the dorm room door opened, revealing Xinyi standing in Iris’ disaster of a room.
“Oh, my god, Jack!” Xinyi clapped her hands and dragged me into the room. “When you texted me about your date tonight, I thought maybe you were kidding, but here you are.” She left me in the middle of the room, picking up random clothing as she spoke.
“Now the witches’ party is a big deal. It’s always out in the woods. There’s a big barn fire and, of course, lots of witch’s brew.” Xinyi wagged her brows.
“Right.” I nodded, barely keeping up with her tirade, before chewing on my lip. “Look, this is my first real date, and normally I’d ask my mom what to do but…”
“I got it.” Xinyi nodded primly as she exchanged a look with an amused Iris, who sat on the bed. “Best to keep the humans out of supernatural business, even personal stuff. It just gets too complicated. All the lies.”
My phone dinged.
Tate: Can’t wait for tonight, princess. ??
I smiled down at my phone, typing a response back.
Me: Pick me up from Iris’ room.
“Aww, you’re so smitten, it’s so cute. I remember when we first met.” Xinyi skipped over to Iris, stroking her face. “The gondola on the canals? The stars and that funny Italian man who wouldn’t stop trying to speak Japanese to me.” She giggled as Iris stared at her lovingly. “I didn’t have the heart to tell him I was Chinese.”
Xinyi popped back up and picked up a crimson-colored garment. “Anyway, I know it’s not really cold out yet, but a bonfire calls for certain clothing, and we want to make sure you look your best.”
“Can we skip the skimpy dresses this time?” I winced at the strappy fabric she held up next.
Xinyi blinked at me. “Of course, the party in the commons was a completely different vibe than the woods. You’ll want to be covered, but…” She held up a jean skirt and tights with a sly grin. “Accessible.”
I huffed and prepared to be their dress-up doll again. At least, this time it seemed most of me would be covered.
Twenty minutes and some negotiating later, I convinced Xinyi that I could wear my white V-neck shirt over her black spaghetti strap shirt and it would match perfectly with the jean skirt and thick black tights she had offered to me. Xinyi had even let me keep my boots and leather jacket, which made me feel a bit more like myself.
“Hmmm.” Xinyi circled me, tapping her chin. “Are you sure you don’t want a push-up bra? Give the girls that extra bit of umph?”
I smiled and shook my head. “I’m good.”
Before Xinyi could argue further into, God help me, lingerie, a knock sounded on the door.
Iris opened the door to reveal Tate. He wore dark wash jeans and a long-sleeved grey Henley shirt, making him look every bit as yummy as earlier today. Desire warmed and settled low between my thighs.
Tate’s chin dipped, his eyes locking with mine as his nostrils flared.
“Do we need to have the talk?” Iris teased as she glanced between the two of us. “No orgies on the first date. No joining the Wild Hunt. No—”
I strode around the room with a laugh. “Got it. No life-altering decisions. Bye, Iris, Xinyi.”
“See you there!” Xinyi called out, but my eyes were all for the werewolf standing before me.
