Roz chuckled. “Merry, don’t worry about me. Hell, if I found a hottie like Jason, I’d leave you in the dust.”
“Oh, nice. Thanks.”
“Hey, I’m just being honest. And that’s part of your problem, hon. You’re too nice. You love him, right?”
“More than I thought possible.”
“So why are you worrying about me? You can’t please all of the people all of the time. Sometimes you have to make a choice. I know you. You’ll bend over backwards trying to take care of everybody and make sure everyone is happy.”
“You’re right. I hate that about me.”
“Don’t hate it, just accept it. It’s who you are. You’re a caretaker. Look how long you took care of your father and brother.”
“I know. I put my life on hold for years! And Ijustset out on my own.”
Roz stared at her tea. “So, where were you going?”
“Going?”
“Yeah, your journey. Your life. You wantedSex and the City. Well, youhavesex and the city. Where did youultimatelywant to wind up?”
Merry shrugged. “Well, eventually happily married to the man of my dreams. Maybe have a kid or two. I’m not sure I want to drive a minivan, but the rest of the American dream sounds pretty good.”
“Okay. What about your job? Do you want to continue working?”
“Of course. I have no idea what I’d do with myself all day if I didn’t.”
“Can you do that if you travel between two homes?”
“As a nurse, I’m lucky in that respect. I can work per diem. Sort of like a substitute teacher. I sign up as available on the days and times I want to work, and they’d call me in when they need someone.”
Roz leaned back against her chair. “With the huge need for nurses everywhere, you should be able to work pretty much whenever you want. That sounds perfect. So, what’s stopping you?”
Merry shrugged. “I don’t really know. I wonder what people will think about the whirlwind—.”
“There you go again! Stop worrying about everyone else. You’re making me a little crazy, Merry. Ever hear the saying, ‘Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth?’ Well, it seems like you’re looking a gift falcon in the beak. Unless there’s something else about his nature you haven’t told me.”
“No, I’ve told you everything I know.”
“And has Jason told you everything?”
“Yes. I grilled him pretty thoroughly. He said if I ever have any more questions, just ask. He won’t hide anything from me again.”
“That’s right. He didn’t tell you before he proposed. What did he have to say about that?”
“He wanted to. He was afraid of losing me. He admitted he screwed up.”
A tear shimmered in the corner of Roz ’s eye. “I wish I had someone who loved me that much, be they falcon or human. Not a werewolf though. I don’t think I could handle something that shreds human beings, even once a month.”
The blond head sitting behind Roz turned around.
“Konrad!” Merry exclaimed. “I didn’t know that wasyousitting there.”
He smiled. “Fancy meeting you here. Mind if I join you?”
Roz whispered, “How about it, Merry? Are you all talkedout?”
All talked out? Is that what she was doing? Just letting me talk to hear the sound of my own voice?Merry knew better than that, though. It seemed as if the more they talked the more she knew what she wanted. Roz probably realized she’d figure it out. But would it have killed her to just offer an outsider’s opinion?
