Page 58 of Wedding the Werepanther

“Whatever’s got you pushing your food around your plate instead of eating that double dose of chocolate.” Violeta points at my waffles with her fork.

I shove a big bite into my mouth and chew to have time to think. I’m not good at talking, and I’m especially not great at girl talk, but I’m trying to be better. It’s just like a new game, I tell myself. You won’t get better without practice. But games are easy. Games you can play again and again until you get it right, and none of the other characters remember your past failures. Real life sucks.

“Shadow and I hooked up,” I blurt.

Jasmine’s fork lands on her plate with a clatter. “Girl, what?”

“Was it great?” Violeta leans forward.

“It was.” My cheeks flare with heat.

“That good, huh?” Jasmine gives a quiet whistle and grins. “Lucky bitch.”

“If you got together, does that mean you’re married forever now?”

“No. The house only considers P-in-V to be consummation.” I give a small smile. “We did… other stuff.”

“So you had great sex,” Jasmine says. “What’s the problem?”

“I like him.”

Violeta sets a hand on my forearm. “And you’re worried he doesn’t like you?”

“I was before, but now I think he might.”

“Good. Because the way he looks at you—I don’t think that can be faked.”

“So you like him, and he likes you.” Jasmine takes a sip of coffee, watching me closely over the rim of the cup. “I’m still not seeing a problem.”

“I… I don’t have a lot of experience with guys.” My throat tightens. I hate being this hesitant, this uncertain. I’m the bad bitch who charges into every video game, ready to kick ass. Whyis real life so hard? Taking a deliberate breath, I pull up my big-girl panties and force out the words: “How do I know it’s real?”

“Remember how I said that thing about how Shadow looks at you?” Violeta asks. “He started doing that before he became your roommate.”

“It’s been months, at least.” Jasmine nods. “He’s been following you around for a while.”

“Yeah, but it feels like it’s a game for him. The thrill of the chase and all that. He’s even said it’s a game and that he’s going to ‘win’ me.” I twiddle my fork. “And if I know anything, it’s that for lots of people, once they win a game, they get bored and never want to play it again.”

“But if he ‘wins,’ then you guys are married permanently,” Jasmine says. “That means he has to stay.”

“Which only makes it worse!” I chop at my waffle. “Imagine being married to someone that gorgeous and sexy who doesn’t want you anymore. It sounds like torture.”

“How did the not-sex part of your date go?” Violeta asks. “You were going to use it to test your compatibility.”

“It went great. Shadow’s a natural at video games, and his playful nature means he really loves them.”

“That’s good!” Violeta says.

“Yeah. It was a lot of fun.” I smash a chocolate chip between the tines of my fork. “But instead of clarity, I feel more confused than ever.”

“Sounds like you need more time to figure out what’s the what, so don’t do anything that gets you married. Then if this turns out to be a fling, you had fun!” Jasmine’s eyes dart over to where Thorvinn, the orc pub owner, scowls down at his omelet as if the “egg pizza” personally offended him. “And you’re still the lucky bitch who had one of these fine fae men in your bed.”

Huh. Jasmine’s always so confident and outgoing that I never imagined her having guy trouble.

“I agree. Flings can be fun.” Violeta sighs and props her chin on her hand. “I’m very ready for one of these hunky fae to sweep me off my feet.”

“Straight off your feet and into the air?” Jasmine grins and moves her hands like flapping wings. “Maybe with some double-D action?”

A dragon! Luke’s already taken so… “You mean Jace,” I blurt.