He grimaces, showing me his sharp canines, then grumbles, “Bastian.”
“Oh, not a hugger?” Renee asks as she pulls back quickly. “I’m sorry, sometimes I get too excited and forget that other people have boundaries.”
Bastian only glares, and Renee’s expression shifts. She glances at me with pity as she touches her blue stained lips.
“Icansee you,” Bastian says grumpily. “Not well, however.”
Renee bobs her head. “Sorry, you must get that a lot.”
“Your reaction is irrelevant,” he replies, and I glare at him, mouthing “Dick.” I’m sure he can’t see what word my mouth is making, but he can feel my frustration with him.
His jaw flexes and he clears his throat. “I only mean, it happens so often I’ve become numb to it. It’s been this way for a long time, and I’ve learned to be whole without the sight I once had.”
Renee half-smiles. “That’s really good. You’re stronger than most people, I think. If I lost my sight, I’d be devastated.”
“Same,” I murmur, giving Bastian a reassuring glance.
A beat of silence passes as he soaks up the recognition.
“Pink flesharemuch weaker,” he says, squashing the moment.
Renee scowls and I can see a question forming on her lips, so I cut it off. “Well, you look wonderful but not like you’re ready to use hammers and saws.”
She smiles and gives a little curtsy. “That’s because I brought the hubs.”
She leans out the door and points to a truck parked behind my car. “Andrew Gardner! Come meet them!”
He’s on the phone in the driver’s seat, and holds up a finger, then blows Renee a kiss.
“He’s on a coaching call,” she says with a shrug. “Client is really struggling to find their mojo.”
“Andrew is a personal trainer or something?” I ask.
She grins. “Yeah, putting all that knowledge on creatine and sleep cycles to use helping others, especially people with illnesses. He’swayinto figuring out how to unlock the correct routine for different genetics and issues.”
“Wow, that’s really cool,” I say, suddenly wondering if he could help me figure out this PMOS thing a bit better…
“Yeah. He’s such a wonderful meathead,” she says, looking at him dreamily.
Andrew wraps up the call and pops out of the cab. “Sorry y’all, James was in a tough spot this morning.”
“It’s no problem,” I say, holding out my hand for a shake since I think a hug from this dude would crush my spine. “I’m Cait.”
He gives a winning smile that Renee stares at, starry-eyed. “Drew, resident muscle.”
He turns to Bastian. “Except maybe not anymore.”
They shake hands and Drew meets his eyes. I see the recognition, but he doesn’t say anything or react any further.
“Bastian,” my dragon repeats for the newcomer.
Wait…mydragon?
“What’s your routine like, Bastian? You’re a beast!” Drew says with excitement.
“A lot more reading than you would think,” I cut in with a laugh.
“Keeping the mind sharp is an important factor in keeping the body strong,” Drew says, and Renee gives me a funny look.
