So much pressure. I guess Riley’s right that Vera is lucky not to be faced with that, but I know she doesn’t see it that way. Not being a shifter means she’ll never even have the chance to find her fated mate. Non-shifters don’t have them.
I remember her confessing to me one night in the dark small space of my treehouse about how she couldn’t wait to shift forthe first time so she could meet her person and start the rest of her happily ever after.
After it became obvious she would never shift, she stopped saying things like that, but somehow I doubt that feeling ever went away.
“You should go apologize,” I say to Riley.
He rolls his eyes. “Probably. Help me out? She’ll be less angry if you’re there.”
I hold up my hands. “Hey, you got yourself into this. You can get yourself out.”
“Thanks for nothing.” He heads out of the kitchen and I tidy up, giving him a moment to do the right thing. At least I hope that’s what he’ll do.
FOUR
Vera
I hurry out of the kitchen, almost glad for Riley’s shithead behavior that gave me the excuse to make a quick exit. Being alone with Bas is dangerous. Since leaving Mosswood to go to college, I’ve tried my hardest to get over him. I really have.
Turns out I might as well not have wasted my time with all those mediocre flings and disappointing one-night stands because as soon as I saw him standing there in the doorway looking solid and a little bit mournful, I just wanted to climb him until I could wrap my arms and legs as far around him as I could and never let go.
I really hope my perfume trick worked to keep him in the dark about my stupid one-track mind. My whole family gave me weird looks when I came downstairs doused in the cheap drugstore scent I got deliberately for this purpose, and I don’t blame them. The stuff’s been eating at the inside of my nostrils all day, but if it works, it’ll be worth it. I’m at the foot of the stairswhen Mom’s voice freezes me in my tracks like I’m ten all over again.
“Where do you think you’re going, young lady?”
“Oh, I thought lunch was done.”
“Yes, so it’s time for Pictionary. Get in here.” She pats the sofa beside her.
There’s nothing for it, so I slink into the loungeroom and take my place as first Riley and then Bastien join us. I glare at Riley while Mom’s not looking, and he has the good grace to whisper, “Sorry, Ver.”
I do not forgive him.
“Kids versus adults,” Mom says.
I’m almost grateful my phone starts to buzz in my pocket right then. I scoop it out in a hurry and jump up. “It’s the college. I have to take this.”
Mom gives me the look, but I ignore it, ducking out onto the patio and closing the door behind me. It’s cold and my breath ghosts out in front of me, but I don’t mind. It was too hot in there by the fire anyway. The crisp air kisses my cheeks as I lift the phone to my ear. “Hello?”
“Hi, is this Vera Ballard?”
“Yes, that’s me.” Is this about my mentor? I can’t help smiling a little at the prospect of starting my internship, even if it’s not in Black Pines Park with the mentor I would have picked if I could choose for myself.
Nope. Not doing that again.
“I’m glad I caught you. Sorry if I’m interrupting.”
“No, that’s OK.”
“I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news. You were due to start your internship next month with Emily Christianson, but she’s had some health complications, and we weren’t able to find you a replacement on short notice at this time of year.”
“Oh.” What does that mean for my graduation? I’m about to ask when the man on the other end of the line continues.
“I’m sure you’re wondering what the ramifications are, and I’m afraid it will hold up the completion of your final semester. Don’t worry. You won’t need to repeat any courses, but you will need to do the internship before you can graduate.”
“I see.” Damn. That means more time paying rent for my place on campus while I wait around in limbo. Then an idea occurs to me. I wouldn’t impose, but the sooner I can finish the course and graduate, the sooner I can start working, and if Mom’s MS really has progressed, there’s every chance treatment costs could increase. Dad might need some support. “What if I can find my own mentor?”
“Well, if you know someone, that would be a good solution.”
