“I was honestly half expecting you to turn me down again.” He leans forward slightly, excitement making him look younger. “What changed?”
“I’ve decided to move on.” From what? What do I say? “From past love,” I finally manage, and my chest stings from how hard my wolf scratches at my insides, as if the words I’ve just said are like acid on her skin.
David’s expression turns serious again, but warmer now, hopeful in a way that makes guilt twist in my stomach. “Well,whoever that person is has no idea what they lost. I truly hope I can win you over and be the man you move on with.”
I let my tone become slightly flirtatious, testing the waters, seeing if I can force myself to feel something. “Maybe you will.”
His smile is pure and boyish, the kind that probably breaks hearts regularly. “I will. I promise.”
I am suddenly exhausted in a way that has nothing to do with dancing. “I’ve had enough partying for one night. Plus, I’ve got work tomorrow and all that.”
“Let me walk you to your car.”
We make our way out of the club together, the night air cool and sharp after the heat inside. He walks beside me, hands in his pockets, his smile never quite fading.
“Text me when you get home safe?” he asks as I climb into my car.
“I will.”
“Till Thursday night, then.”
“Yes. Dinner on Thursday.”
I close the door, and he steps back, waving as I start the engine and pull out of the parking spot. In my rearview mirror, I watch him standing there until I turn the corner and he disappears from view.
The drive home is quiet, just me and the road and thoughts I can’t escape no matter how hard I try. My wolf whimpers inside my head, a sound of distress and longing. She wants only one thing, one person. Not interested in David no matter how nice he is, no matter how much he clearly cares.
But I bite down on the feeling and grip the steering wheel tighter. I need to move on. I can’t be hung up for the rest of my life on a man who doesn’t even remember me.
The thought steels me through the rest of the drive, through parking and walking up to my apartment, through getting ready for bed and lying down in the dark, staring at the ceiling.
I need to move on. I have to.
I don’t expectflowers on my desk when I arrive the next morning. A huge bouquet of deep red roses is sitting right in the center of my workspace, elaborate and expensive and impossible to miss. I step closer, fingers reaching out to touch the soft petals, and find a small card tucked between the stems.
Here’s to trying to be the man you move on with.
–David
A smile tugs at my lips despite the complicated knot in my chest. It’s sweet, thoughtful, exactly the type of gesture that should make my heart flutter. And yet…
“Well, well, well.” Sienna’s voice comes from behind me, dripping with curiosity. “What do we have here? Someone’s sending you flowers?”
She squeezes into my cubicle before I can respond, practically bouncing with excitement as she leans in to smell the roses. “These are gorgeous. Who’s the mystery man?”
“David.” I pick up the card and show her. “From Human–Supernatural Relations. We ran into each other at a bar last night, and he asked me out.”
“David?” Sienna’s eyebrows shoot up. “Isn’t he the one you’ve turned down multiple times?”
“The same.”
“And now you’re saying yes?” She grabs my shoulders, turning me to face her fully. “Anne, are you actually moving on?”
“I’m trying to.”
Sienna’s eyes stay on mine for a moment, and there’s a tightness in there, one that lets me know she knows how hard this is. “Are you sure you’re ready?” she asks.
I can’t move my lips, the lie too bitter to say out loud. So, I nod. It’s all I can muster.
