Page 51 of The Dragons' Healing Mate

“It’s hard to deny the pull of mates.” I sighed. “But it’s certainly not icy waters anymore. Maybe… a lukewarm bath.”

“It is, but if anyone could do it, it would be you. The sheer stubbornness you exude is amazing.” Nina raised her hand, giving me a chef’s kiss. “I am thoroughlyimpressed.”

Chuckling, I shook my head. “All right. Enough about me. I want to talk aboutyourstruggles with men, not mine.”

Nina let out a dramatic sigh. “But it’s nicer to focus onyourboy troubles,” she whined.

“We’ve been talking about my boy troubles since I got here. It’s your turn.”

“Fine. It’s nothing that dramatic, though. I’m just sick of the emails and letters.”

“Emails and letters?” I leaned back in the desk chair to get comfortable for this conversation.

Nina nodded, her mouth tight. “You know, female dragons are rare. It’s a whole thing. As a result, we tend to be particularly sought after. Well, because of that, I often get emails and letters from potential suitors, all talking about what wonderful children we’ll have and nothing about, you know, the actual relationship they want to have with me.”

I grimaced. “Oof. That doesnotsound fun. You’re more than a baby factory. Can’t you just ignore them?”

“That’s what I’vebeendoing. For as long as I’ve been getting them, I’ve been ignoring them. I read the first few and then quickly realized I didn’t want to deal with them—oranyof the men. Now that I’m getting a little older, my parents are getting… insistent. They seem to think I’m going to be a spinster and ‘waste my potential.’”

“Spinster? What are we in, the Victorian era?” I laughed, rolling my eyes. Still, I quickly sobered to the fact that Nina was deadly serious.

“I know, right? Theybeggedme to read through a few letters and to take them seriously, but I just can’t. Every single dragon sounds so arrogant and pompous. Like I want to spend my life with someone who’s more in love with themselvesthan with me. They claim to ‘love me,’ but they haven’t evenmetme. I need toat least date someone a few times before I’ll even admit to likingthem.”

“You would think that meeting each other is a prerequisite to love, or at least having lengthy online or phone conversations.”

Nina scoffed a laugh, folding her arms, clearly seething. “Phone sex definitely has its place, don’t get me wrong, but I haven’t even said hello to any of these stupid dragons. There wasoneI replied to, but he never replied back, so…” She trailed off.

“Maybe the lack of response is a blessing in disguise?” I suggested, giving her a shrug and a hopeful smile.

“Probably.” Nina nodded, raising and abruptly dropping one shoulder. “Anyway, reading the letters has just been getting to me, so I’m a little grumpy. I apologize.”

“That’s totally understandable. Take the afternoon off if you want. Go do something for yourself.”

Nina shook her head. “I won’t be doing that, because you havesomany appointments and no one to keep everything on track. I swear this whole place would go to hell if it wasn’t for me. I’m the one who’s managing to keep your schedule somewhat calm and manageable.”

“I’m not going to dispute that.” I laughed. “Your talents are invaluable, but I seem to recall someone telling me to go relax, so… maybe take your own advice.”

Nina narrowed her eyes. “How dare you throw my own logic in my face?”

There was a tiny beat of silence, and then we both burst out laughing. After a moment, both of us grabbed another chocolate because they really were delicious.

Nina stared at the floor, spinning the ring on her thumb. “I suppose you have a point, but I’ll still help you out for a little longer today. Besides”—Nina hesitated, still not looking at me—“I’m not all that interested in going back to my room andseeing how many more emails have come in. I deleted my email app from my phone; it was getting so ridiculous.”

“Lord, you’d think they’d take a hint. Well, don’t go back there. Head into town. We need a few supplies. You can call it a work trip, but take your time. That way, your silly brain will be able to relax because you’re still being productive.”

Laughing, Nina looked up with a genuine smile, tilting her head. “Damn, insightful much? Though that is averygood idea.”

I shrugged. “Eh, takes a perfectionist to know one. I’m just as bad, as you know. You can also pick up a few more boxes of chocolate. Charge it to the Alphas.”

“Hmm, I am aware of that, yes.” The two of us laughed again. I stood from my seat, walking over to her and pulling her out of her chair. “Umm, what’re you doing?”

“Kicking you out, I’m afraid.” I angled her toward the door, shooing her through it. “Go on. Get us some bandages, and be sure to stop at a coffee shop and get a drink, too.”

She shook her head, still giggling. “All right. All right. If you insist.”

Nina walked over to the reception desk and grabbed her purse. She pulled out her keys and wandered to the door.

Calling out after her, I added, “If I see you back here in the next hour, I’m sending you out again.”