Because I deserved better than that.
I knew I did.
Even if I didn’t fully believe it yet.
Now I’m here.
In this house.
In this bathroom that looks like something out of a dream, all blue glass tile and light and reflection.
And I’ve just been with a man who looks at me like—like I’m not something to fix.
Like I’m something to want.
And he sure wanted me. I mean, we had sex.
Really good sex.
Twice.
My lips part slightly as that realization settles in.
Twice.
And not once did he hesitate.
Not once did he look at me like he was settling.
Not once did he rush past me like I was something to get through instead of something to experience.
My Bear stirs, pleased.
Mate, she whispers, full of certainty I don’t share.
I swallow hard.
Because I don’t know.
I don’t know if Date to Mate is real.
If the Fates actually got it right.
If Rob is it.
My Bear thinks so.
But she’s been wrong before.
And I—I don’t think I could survive being wrong again like that.
I drag in a shaky breath, my gaze dropping, then lifting back to the mirror.
To myself.
To the woman I’m still trying to understand.
“Get it together,” I whisper.
