I glanced at Jake. Sometimes it was all right.
I found myself staring at the colors and patterns of light on wet surfaces as if they held some deeper meaning. I knew things would settle and make more sense soon, that Jake and I would be able to carry on a conversation, that my mind would stop drifting. I wondered how long it would take.
While we walked, Jake looked at me a couple of times but didn't say anything. I could see he was trying to be brave. I wished I had the words to reassure him that it was all right.
But I didn't. I didn't know what to say to let him know I was okay and that I still loved him. I didn't have any words to speak at all, and a few beeps would have been less than reassuring at the moment.
But I hated that uncertain look about him. He needed to know everything was okay. And of course it was; nothing deep inside me had changed. Not my love for my job, or liking old movies, or the way I felt about my partner and lover, Jake Elliot.
Something occurred to me, and I didn't ponder it, I just did it. I reached over and took his hand as we walked. Jake gave me a surprised look. Then his shoulders straightened and his smile got bigger. He walked taller, almost strutting down the street beside me.
A couple of people glanced our way. One raised an eyebrow in a superior fashion, as if there was something to judge. It took me a few moments to remember we'd never done this before in public, holding hands, displaying our attachment publicly, and that some people wouldn't approve.
Was I endangering him? I should be careful what I said and did after an adjustment, I knew. But he didn't pull away. He walked with me proudly, holding my hand for almost half a block before he let go.
We didn't speak the entire walk. But we didn't need to. He understood, and everything was beautiful, even like this.
the end
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Also by Hollis Shiloh
Abe Investigates
The Body in the Backyard
Poison at the Bake Sale
Baking Bears
Bear and Fox
Bear's Delight
Bread and Books
Dave & Jesse
Moths and Men
Back to You
Holin and Kale
Hearts of Gold
Swords of Silver
Levi & Jett
Fireproof
Still Fireproof
Marrying Men
False Engagement
A Marriage Plot
A Husband for Steel and Blood
Two Soldiers
Rowan Clare At Home
Max & Jamie
And You Still Are
The Only One for Me
Men of Magic
Forgotten Things
Missing Things
Off the Shelves
Men of the ESRB
Safe
Keep
Sure
Know
Care
Lock
My Wolf Heart
Mate Found
Shiftless No More
shifters and partners
My Partner the Wolf
My Partner and Me
Joey and the Fox
My Sahil
Partners in Deed
Some Reservations
Shelter
Foxed
Trey's Partner
Journey
Foxed Up
Not My Mate
Second Time Charm
Harry Ever After
All My Broken Pieces
Loyal
Trees Take the Long View
Someone Else's Wolf
A Quiet Man
Starring Role
I'm Your Guy
My Fox Mate
Wolf at the Door
You're Worth It
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Wes and Kit
Robert and Louie
Mystery at Skeffield Manor
Strands
Sweet Briar Farm
Rabbit Trails
Sweet Scents
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Magic for Lee
Songs By Heart
The Christmas Mansion
Standalone
Jude's Magic
The Keeper
Gear Heart
A Bad Case
Like A One-Eyed Cat
Jack & Julian
Winton's Strays
The Way to Joe
Through the Window
A Good Place
Dirt Magic
The Magician of Dustville
The One He Wants
Boyfriend Potential
Strawberry Rivals
Yours, Johnny
His Kind of Home
Memories and Marco
All the Things I've Lost
Elves and Deer
Tiger's Breath
Shifters and Partners (Box Set 1-10)
The Christmas Divorce
Cold Hands, Warm Heart
Out of the Rain
Always Saying Goodbye
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Fall
Felix Navidad
A Marriage of Friends
Cat Rescuer
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A Fox Hunted
Dragon Trees
Three Legs
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My Military Wolf
How to Hire A Vampire Consultant
That Sort of Partners Page 7