“Nonsense. You look amazing.” I offer her my arm, and she takes it.
“I’m so glad you could fetch me.” She smiles at me. I note how tall she is in those heels. She hardly has to look up.
“Me, too.”
Her back is open all the way to her ass, with just thin golden straps over her shoulders.
If I’d met her somewhere else, on some other day, I think this could have gone differently. I might have given her a second look. She’s worth it.
Brook is gracious, holding her head high as we walk past the stares still aimed our way.
I lead her out to my vehicle and open her door before she can reach for the handle herself. She slides in with a small huff of laughter, her dress sliding up her long thighs.
I still feel nothing at all. It’s irritating.
I round the hood and get in, start the engine, and the radio comes on low, one of my playlists picking up mid-song. I reach over and turn the volume down another notch before pulling out of the lot.
The drive starts out quiet.
I drum my fingers on the steering wheel.
“So.” She turns slightly in her seat, her eyes on me. “Are you okay, Magma? I’m getting this feeling that…”
“Everything’s fine.” I sigh. I had hoped to broach the subject first. I was just trying to work up the nerve.
“Because I—” She stops, restarts. “Is it because I’m a Red?”
I shake my head, glancing at her long enough to mean it. “Not at all. I like you. A lot.”
“I’m sensing a but in there somewhere.” She tips her head. “You’re going to tell me it’s you, not me. Is that it?” She laughs, but I can hear the tension.
“I was going to say that it’s me, because itisme. It’s definitely not you. You’re great, Brook.”
She groans, dropping her head back against the headrest. “There it is.” She laughs again, and some of the tension is gone this time.
“It’s not because you’re a Red. I’m honestly a little shocked at how little that bothers me, given everything…you know.” I keep my eyes on the road. “I like you, Brook. I think you’re gorgeous and funny and sweet. You’re great.”
“So what’s the problem?”
This is usually the part where I tell them about Sage. About my mate. About how I lost her and how some piece of me wentinto the ground along with her, and how I don’t have whatever it takes to do this again.
I glance at Brook, then back at the road.
“I think I might be in love with someone else.”
“Oh.” She blinks, head tilting back a fraction. “I did not see that coming. Why ask me, then? Why not ask her?” She shakes her head.
“Last I heard, which was not that long ago, she’s seeing someone else. She’s bringing him tonight. And I…I…”
“And you didn’t want to show up alone like an asshole.”
A short laugh gets out of me before I can stop it, and I cut it off fast. “You hit the nail right on the head.” I pull in a breath, my hands tightening on the wheel for a second. “I do like you. I hoped that when I saw you today, I’d… That…”
Fuck.
“That you’d feel something for me. That you’d find me attractive?”
“Flint’s right.” I shake my head at myself. “I am a pussy, because you’re awesome. I do find you attractive but...” I sigh again. “Do you get where I’m coming from?”
