Page 32 of Bear and Book

Every instinct told me to back down, to keep this safe and ambiguous, to stay in the place where rejection couldn’t reach me. But I didn’t want safe, not with him.

“Go out with me,” I said. “An actual date. Not me roping you into moving boxes or fixing shelves. Something official.”

The words were a little clumsy, a little raw, but they were honest. And I wanted him to know I wasn’t asking because it was convenient.

I was asking because I wanted him there, in my life, with no excuses.

The smile that spread across his face lit up the whole damn room. I could feel it warming me from the inside out, loosening the knot I’d been carrying for days.

“I thought you’d never ask,” Leo said.

And maybe he was right. The old me wouldn’t have. A week ago, I might’ve still found a reason to talk myself out of it.

Right now, I was standing here, pulse racing, terrified of what this meant. Still, for once, choosing to step forward instead of back.

That, more than anything, scared me and thrilled me.

Chapter 10

Leo

Cassian leaned against my bedroom doorway with his arms crossed.

“Are you seriously planning on leaving the apartment looking like that?” Cassian asked, one eyebrow raised.

I turned from the mirror, holding my phone up so I could check the outfit from another angle.

“What’s wrong with it?” I demanded.

It was a good outfit. Dark jeans that fit snug without strangling me, boots polished enough to catch the low lamplight, and my favorite henley .

It was a deep forest green and I had sleeves rolled up the sleeves to the elbows. I’d left the the top two buttons undone just enough to hint at collarbone without looking like I was trying too hard.

My hair was tamed for once, swept back, and I even smelled decent thanks to the cedar-and-vanilla cologne I’d splurged on last year.

Cassian made a vague gesture at my torso. “The shirt. It’s too much.”

I glanced down at myself. “Too much what? Too much awesome?”

Cassian just sighed like the long-suffering pastry chef he was. “Leo, I’m asking you a serious question here. Are you sure about Elias?”

That made me pause. My bear, always simmering just under my skin, gave an instinctive rumble at the implication.

“Yeah. I’m sure. My bear knew from the first time we saw him. He’s it,” I confirmed.

Cassian’s gaze softened just slightly, but he still shook his head. “Then be careful. You love hard and fast. Sometimes people don’t know what to do with that.”

I frowned. “You sound like you think he’s going to break my heart,” I pointed out.

“Just go in with your eyes open, yeah?” Cassian tipped his chin toward the dresser. “And change your shirt. Wear the navy one. Its more subtle.”

I snorted, but I swapped shirts anyway. The navy fit closer to my shoulders, softer fabric, still casual but with a little more polish. Cassian gave a satisfied nod, and I grabbed my jacket on the way out.

It was one of those evenings where the whole town felt like it was settling into autumn.

The sharp edge of the day’s chill softened into a crisp, golden dusk, leaves whispering against the pavement as the wind stirred them up.

Somewhere nearby, the rich scent of cinnamon and fresh bread drifted from Bear and Bun, cozy and inviting against the cool air.