“It’sperfect. But I’m not done here, so let me keep talking.”
“By all means. You want bangs or something?”
“No! Just sweep up around me while I talk at you.”
“Consider it done.”
Fern learned a true mate was next to impossible to ignore, not that anyone ever wanted to anyway. When true mates wanted to move into the second phase of the mating process, they started their own version of the compelling: thesupercompelling.
“So, it’s a sex frenzy?” Fern checked, tapping out her dustpan into the trash.
“Yep. I’ve heard most of them move from that right into the full mate bond ’cause it’s not feasible to stay in the super compelling for more than a few hours.”
“Psh. I’d thrive in it.”
“You say that now...” Noa laughed, standing from the chair and following Fern to the register.
“Oh my god.” She clapped a hand to her mouth, sure she was rightevenbefore she asked, muffled, “Are Liv and Bentruemates?”
“Yep.”
“That’s the most romantic shit I’ve ever heard.” And now that she knew of it, like the shifting, she wanted it too. She’d just have to think about it a bunch and wait it out. It would happen if it was meant to. Like managing the Big Chop—she manifested that shit.
After work, Fern went pink on her bottom layer, a vibrant shade that reminded her of azaleas and matched her cat-eye nails. Then she closed up the salon, grabbed a wrap from Reads & Roasts, successfully avoided the book-side of the shop, and retreated to her apartment, where she plopped down on the futon and stuffed her face while pulling up her conversation with Elliott.
Fern
Hey, dude. Done with work and ready to talk more work
Elliott
Did you shave Noa’s head?
Fern
Naw, but she looks hot anyway
He sent a smile emoji and looped them back around to talking about wedding favors. This whole situation had her mind in knots. She certainly wanted to work with him on the project, but she’d like to know if they were moving into it as just friends, friends with benefits, or if it waspossiblehe was a potential mate. He had her searching for signs in their texts like tea leaves.
Elliott
Btw, I got the kayak over to Able and saved your clothes from the creek
Fern
Omg, thank you so much
Elliott
I need to get them back to you
Unfortunately, theshorts don’t fit me
She snorted, shuffling to her kitchen to toss the trash from her dinner. That was a sign, right? He was hinting he wanted to see her even without the wedding favors as the reason. Right?
Elliott
You wanna get on the phone for a few mins, figure out how to tackle this thing for Renata?
