“But Jenny—”
“Yeah.”Henry closed his eyes, that knot growing larger.His mind darted through his memories.Jenny’s face didn’t hold the same definition, and he cursed at the realization.Maia’s visage came to the forefront instead, superseding Jenny.Henry wanted to hate Maia for this.
It wasn’t working.
“It’s possible to have two mates.Dad did.Your mother before he fell for Megan.Why is it so impossible for you to have another mate?”
Henry wiped his hands over his face and met Gerard’s gaze.“She’s so young.”
“Too young,” Gerard said, his green eyes narrowing.
Henry could see his friend’s brain ticking over and slotting facts together.
“Maia was present during the school trip.I remember her because her big eyes were full of tears after you left.You knew then.”
“Yes.”
“Hell,” Gerard said in an understatement.“No wonder you’ve been out of sorts since Maia arrived.”He tapped his fingers on his desk.“She’s how old now?”
“Still too young,” Henry said in a curt voice.
“Exactly how old?”
“I don’t know.”
“You should ask.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Henry snapped.“The age gap is too big.”
“What does Maia think?Have you asked her?The mate bond must be tugging her too.”
“We’re poles apart in age and experience.Maia won’t be in Middlemarch much once she heals and returns to training.”
“Minor problems.Besides, how will you cope with seeing her with another man?”
“I’ll… I don’t know.”Henry wanted to snarl, but Gerard wasn’t saying anything he hadn’t told himself.
“Talk to her.”
“I can’t lay this on her when she knows nothing of shifters.And someone is trying to hurt her.She’ll think I’m the one who’s crazy.”
“Ask her out on a date.Take things slow.Get to know her as an adult instead of telling yourself she’s that kid who drew you years ago.Henry, sheisan adult.She might not have the same years as you, but she’s mature.You could have a sensible conversation without feeling like you come from different generations.”
Henry groaned even as he allowed Gerard’s wise words to sink into his beleaguered brain.Maia intended to make Middlemarch her permanent home—at least for the near future.He had two options: he could stay the hell away from Maia, which wasn’t going well, or… Yeah, he needed to go with his second recourse and embrace the chance of a mate.
“What’s happening inside that thick head of yours?You can’t walk away from Maia, not if it means you have a mate.I know you’re lonely.It can’t be easy when your friends have partners.Your dad.”
“That’s the part that gives me hope.”Henry ran with honesty.“I do feel lonely and left out, which is why I spend so much time with my dogs.They give me simple companionship.Maia is more—hell, she comes with complications, yet I can’t stay away.Not when someone means to hurt her.”
“Sounds as if you’ve made your decision.Your heart, at least.It’s that clever brain of yours creating roadblocks.Give the girl—the woman—a chance.My bet is she’ll surprise you.”
“Maybe.”Henry swallowed a mouthful of beer, savoring the amber liquid instead of using it as a prop.
“You should go home now,” Gerard said.
“I am home.”
“Your place is with Maia.If you’re to have any chance of a future, you need to keep her safe.”
