Page 82 of Shifted Desire

Yeah, I may have caused some minor drama by hooking up with two members of the bridal party, both of whom were in relationships, but it all worked out for the best because their boyfriends were assholes and they ended up getting together. They’re married with three kids now.

Maggie’s eyes narrow. “What about what you did at Claire’s 40th birthday party? That wasn’t that long ago.”

Shit, I forgot about that.

I’d gotten bored and started a small orgy in the guest room, and Claire was pissed at me for a month for taking the focus away from her celebration. But I only did it when her snooty friends wouldn’t stop giving me pitying looks like I was some spinster because I hadn’t brought a date.

“Look, we’re not judging…” Claire starts.

“Yes, we are.” Maggie interrupts. “We’re not going to let you ruin Max’s wedding when you get sad and horny and impulsive. You need someone there that’s dedicated to helping you deal with those feelings, so bring a damn date.”

I scowl at her, wanting to do something dramatic like throw my water in her face or storm off, because I’m not a child that needs to be scolded and I’m not going to ruin Max’s wedding. Which I guess kind of proves her point, since my first instinct is to do something dramatic and volatile when I’m upset.

Fuck.

“And don’t bring that rude harpy…what was her name?” Claire asks, grimacing.

“I’m not going to bring Susan,” I grumble, the memory of the last person I attempted to have a relationship with souring my stomach. She was such a condescending bitch about our breakup that I decided I was done trying for anything more than flings.

“What about that minotaur, Wesley? He was nice.”

Maggie nods. “Yeah! You should ask him.”

He was nice, but we weren’t a match. At all. Besides, on one of my recent trips to The Vault, I saw him there, and he introduced me to his adorable human girlfriend, Ariana. “He’s in a committed relationship now.”

“Like that’s stopped you before,” Maggie quips under her breath.

“Fuck you,” I bite back. “I’ve never instigated something with a person in a relationship. They’re the ones that are always coming on to me. Begging me to be with them and lying about being single or their relationships being dead.”

My pasta churns in my stomach as I think about how foolish and gullible I’ve been in the past. So desperate for attention and fun that I let myself be convinced by cheaters that what I was doing was okay.

Claire places an arm on my hand, and a pulse of her soothing magic hits me. I shove her off with a weak scowl, even as it backs me down off the edge of saying something bitchy to Maggie I know I’ll regret.

“If you need help finding someone, Bettina says she has a cousin who is fun and would go with you.”

“Ugh, I’m not taking your partner’s cousin as a pity date.”

“He’s very handsome,” Claire says, like that’ll make a difference.

Of course he’s handsome. Bettina is a buff orc babe, and I saw how hotness runs in their family at Claire’s bonding ceremony.

“I know a few people who might be compatible. There’s a woman in my yoga class who has energy that would match yours. She’s human, but I bet she’d be down with finding out monsters are real.”

“I don’t need your help to get a date,” I huff.

“They can’t be a random hookup from Bewitch’d, Sam. You need to vet them with at least a few dates if they’re a stranger. I know you’re allergic to that kind of thing, but do it for Max.”

I open my mouth to tell her I already have someone I can bring, agitation rising, then snap it shut because what the hell am I thinking? I can’t bring Nathan.

Godsdammit, the one time I have someone I like who I know for sure wouldn’t cause any issues at an event, I can’t even take him. Sure, he’s going, but he can’t go with me.

“I’ll figure it out,” I say morosely.

“Are you sure? Because we can help if⁠—”

“I said I’ll figure it out!” I push up from my chair. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve had enough humiliation and heat for the day. I’m going to go shower off this terrible brunch and pretend that my sisters don’t think I’m a colossal fuckup that’s always on the verge of causing problems.”

“That’s not what we said!” Maggie snaps.