“She scored the winning goal with only thirty seconds left on the clock,” Alan was saying, his face animated with pride. “You should have seen her, Matt. She’s got a killer instinct on the field for a nine-year-old.”
“That’s amazing,” Matt managed, though his gaze kept sliding toward Tessa.
What would their children look like? Would they have her amber eyes, or his darker ones? Her soft smile or his serious expression?
One thing is for sure,his bear said.They’ll have our shifter genes.
He imagined sitting at this very table years from now, telling his own stories about soccer games and school plays, while Tessa sat beside him, her hand in his.
Can’t wait,his bear said, the longing almost painful in its intensity.
“So, are you going to tell her?”
Alan’s voice, pitched low enough that only Matt could hear, jolted him back to reality. The pasta that had been balanced on his fork slipped free, landing with a wet splat on his black T-shirt. Red sauce splattered across the fabric like evidence of a crime.
“Damn,” Matt muttered, grabbing his napkin and dabbing at the stain.
Alan chuckled, not bothering to hide his amusement. “Smooth, boss. Very smooth.”
Matt glanced up from his futile cleaning efforts and froze. Tessa was watching him, her lips curved in a shy smile that reached all the way to her eyes. The warmth in her gaze made his heart ache with longing.
Say something,his bear urged.
Matt’s jaw clenched as his mind went completely, utterly blank. All his usual confidence evaporated under her gaze.
Say something about spillage,his bear prompted desperately.Prove you were listening about the cooking show disasters.
“Looks like I could use one of those cooking show disaster recovery tips right about now,” Matt said, the words feeling clumsy on his tongue.
Tessa’s smile widened slightly. “Cold water and salt,” she offered. “Works wonders on tomato sauce.”
Matt nodded, relief washing through him as he resumed eating, careful to hold the fork closer to his plate this time. The tension in his shoulders eased incrementally.
“So?” Alan asked when the conversation around them had moved on to weekend plans.
Matt turned to his friend, lowering his voice. “How are you supposed to tell someone something like this? ‘Hey, by the way, I’m a bear shifter, and also, you’re my fated mate?’”
Alan shook his head and grinned. “Never had to. My mate is a shifter too, remember? She knew what was happening the moment we met.”
Matt frowned. “Of course I do. But I’ll take any advice you’ve got.”
Alan chewed thoughtfully, his expression growing more serious. “I guess I would start by winning her heart, for real. So when you tell her about the shifter stuff and the mate bond, it’s inevitable she’ll accept it.”
Inevitable.Matt liked the sound of that word. Inevitable meant certain, guaranteed. It meant he would not lose her before he’d even had a chance to know her.
As they finished their meal, Matt could not resist sneaking glances at Tessa as she chatted with Jenny. Her hands moved expressively as she talked.
How he’d like to hold her hand. Kiss her palm. Then kiss her wrist, and higher…
Get a grip,his bear said.You’re drooling.
Am not,Matt replied, but wiped his mouth on a napkin just in case.
Because one thing he knew for sure, his mate was mouthwatering.
Oh dear,his bear said with a roll of his eyes.
When the meal was over, they all pitched in to clear the table together, the staff moving with the practiced efficiency of people who had shared many meals in this room. Matt stacked plates while Tessa gathered silverware, their paths crossing as they moved toward the dishwasher.
