by V. Vaughn
When I reach my car, I realize what just happened was completely my fault. Embarrassment heats up my cheeks. “Oh god,” I say.
Cade says, “You just got me kicked out of paint night.” He chuckles. “I didn’t even know that could happen. You’re kind of mean when you’re mad.”
“I’m sorry. I just can’t stand girls like--I’m not sure--” I let out a huff of frustration.
“Here.” Cade holds out my wine glass. “It would be a shame to let this pinot go to waste. We can drink it in my truck.”
I take the wine and wonder why he’s finding this amusing. “Are you sure you want to be with me right now?”
Cade nods. “As long as you let me keep dry pants.” I squint at him in warning, and the passenger door of his truck groans as he pulls it open. “Get in.”
Once he’s in the truck too, I say, “I’m sorry I got you kicked out of paint night.”
“I don’t mind. But you know, I’m not sure you’re doing the friend thing right. You just cockblocked me.”
A surge of rage rises up in me. “You wanted to take one of those girls home? Which one? Please don’t say Desiree.” I mock her attempt at a sexy voice. “Desire with a little ex-tra.”
Cade breaks out in laughter, and I realize how foolish I’m being. I slap his arm. “Stop laughing at me.”
He says, “Is it awful that I like how jealous you got?”
“I didn’t get jealous.”
He crosses his arms as he leans back with a smirk.
“It’s just rude that those girls tried to pick you up when you were with me. They didn’t know we are just friends.”
Cade smiles. “Very rude.”
“Would you like it if the tables were turned?”
“Not at all.” He shrugs. “We’re not very good at this friend thing.” He leans close to me. “You should probably just come back to my place so what we really want to happen can.”
My insides tremble in agreement, but I already caused a scene, listening to what my body wants tonight, so I ignore it as I pull back. “No way.” I set my glass down in a cup holder. “I’m not getting involved with a man I can’t have for the long-term. The whole point for me here is to change my ways. Remember?”
“Right. But you don’t really want to do that, do you?”
“Oh please.” I deny it even though I’m well aware Cade can smell my desire. “I told you I wanted us to be just friends, and I meant it.”
“You’re sure about that? Because--” Cade lets out a rumble that melts me on the spot.
I let out a small whimper. Damn him. It would be so easy to take Cade home and forget my plan for us to just be friends, but no matter how strongly I want to be with him, I know it would be a big mistake. I say, “Look. It’s clear you can’t do the friend thing, and neither can I. I’m going to go home and forget about the whole crazy plan.”
“Bella.”
My door handle clicks when I pull it. “We gave it a good effort. No hard feelings. Okay?”
“That’s really what you want? After only one attempt?” Cade frowns. “I didn’t take you for a quitter.”
“I’m not. But this was a stupid idea.” I speak with as much conviction as I can muster.
“Got it.” Cade turns and looks out the windshield. I notice a muscle along his jaw jump, and it make me think he’s mad, but I have no interest in making him feel better, so I hop down. Cade turns to me and leans toward the door to grab the handle. “You’re right. This was a stupid idea. I wonder if Desiree’s offer is still good.”
I blink in shock as my chest tightens and my stomach cramps up. “Yeah,” I spit out like venom. “You do that.”
“Maybe I will,” says Cade, and he pulls the door shut hard enough to make the truck rock.
Jealousy fills my head as I begin to imagine spells to hurt Desiree. I flash to a vision of Desiree in his arms, and now I want to vomit. I force myself to get in my car instead, and when I get behind the wheel, a wave of sadness washes over me. The tires of Cade’s truck squeal as he peals out of the parking lot, and I let the tears burning in my eyes fall as I wonder why it feels like we just broke up.
Chapter 5
My pestle thuds against the mortar as I pulverize dried ginger. I’m making a prosperity potion for a werebear who wants to find a job that pays enough to finish getting him out of student-loan debt. As I twist my wrist methodically, I think about the fact it’s been two days since Cade and I got kicked out of paint night for my little temper tantrum. I still can’t figure out why I got so upset. If a guy I had been dating had flirted back with two girls in front of me, I’d have walked out and blocked his number. Yet Cade, who I’m supposed to be friends with, doing the same thing pushed a big red button that set me off, and I don’t know what to think about it.
Cinnamon sticks crunch as I begin to grind them too. I know Cade thinks I was jealous. And yeah, I was, but what I don’t understand is why. My attraction to him is purely physical, and I can find that in another man easily. Maybe this all stems from the fact I really don’t know how to be friends with a guy. I hate to admit it, but perhaps what bothered me was that he acted as if he was attracted to those other girls instead of me. This, of course, means I really do need to learn how to be friends with a man, because it’s seriously messed up that I think every guy should be attracted to me over everyone else.
I let out a sigh as I pour my potion ingredients into a container, and spring water trickles into the bottle as I add some. Now I need to find a new man to be my friend. I think about Nate, who is my next appointment. He’s about my age, a lawyer who is attractive but not in the pure muscle way that Cade is, and just may be the perfect candidate.
I smile when he knocks on the door, because Nate is going to walk out of here with more than a potion. He’s about to get a new friend.
I let him in. “Nate, I’m glad you’re here.”
Even though Nate isn’t a gym rat the way warriors are, he’s still got a large frame from being a werebear, and I gaze up at him as he steps through the door.
“Hey, Bella. I hope you’ve worked your magic for me.” He laughs at his bad pun, and I roll my eyes. He’s definitely friend material.
“I have.” I hand him the bottle with his potion and give him directions on how to use it. When I finish, he pulls out his wallet, but I hold up my hand. “I’d actually like to trade with you today if that’s okay.”
“Really? You need legal advice?”
“No.” I frown. “Do you have a few minutes? There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”
“I can stay for bit longer. What’s up?”
I motion for him to sit at my kitchen table, where I usually conduct business. “This is going to sound odd, but I wondered if you’d consider being my friend.”
“I’m already your friend,” he says as he sinks into a chair.
“We’re more like acquaintances,” I say. “What I’m talking about is someone who will do things with me. Go places. As friends.”
“Sure. But you don’t have to barter with me for that.”
“No?”
He shakes his head. “All you’d have to do is invite me to go somewhere.”
“Okay, but if I asked you to go to the movies, wouldn’t you think it was a date?”
Nate shrugs. “I suppose I could think that, but only if you flirt with me while asking.” He pauses and leans forward a bit as he begins to speak again. “For example, let’s say you started talking about a movie you’d like to see. If I said I wanted to as well, then you could suggest we go see it together.”
“And you’d get that I meant as friends?”
“Yes. But...” He holds up his index finger. “If you turned your shoulder and dipped your chin as you gazed up at me when you asked, I’d be more inclined to think it was a date.”
I laugh when he acts out the motions. “I get it.” I look at him with a serious expression. “Nate, would you like to go to the movies with me this week?”
“Sure. That would be fun.”
I let out a whoosh of air. “Cool. That wasn’t so hard.”
His expression becomes one of concern. “Bella?”
“Yes?”
“What’s this really about? You can tell me since we’re going to be friends.”
I smile. I’d tell a girlfriend, so it makes sense I can tell Nate too. “I’m trying to change the way I think about men. I’ve decided that while being a carefree single woman has been a lot of fun, if I want to settle down some day, then I’m going to need to know how to relate to a man as a friend as well.”
“Ah, the old biological clock is ticking.” He leans back in his chair.
“Maybe.” I frown, because while I do want children, I’m not rushing for babies just yet. I’m more focused on finding a man I want forever. “But that’s not my priority right now. I’ve grown tired of meaningless relationships, and I want more.”
“Those are solid reasons. I’m happy to help. Can I ask why you picked me?”
Even though I don’t need to stroke this guy’s ego, I think even friends like compliments, so I say, “Because you’re smart and kind. And single.” I add, “Which means there isn’t a female mate to claw my eyes out.”
Nate laughs. “I don’t have to worry about a jealous boyfriend, do I?”
Now I laugh. “No. But even if you did, he’d be human and never stand a chance against you.”
“Whew.” Nate glances at his watch. “I need to get back to work. But text me what you’d like to see some night this week, and I’ll meet you there.”
Chairs scape across the floor as we stand up, and I say, “Thanks, Nate. I really appreciate it.”
“Of course. What are friends for?”
“See you later this week.”
“Later,” says Nate before he shuts the door behind him.
As soon as Nate’s gone, I grab my phone to deal with Tally. I managed to ignore her yesterday when she asked how things went with Cade, but she’ll probably send out a locator spell for me if I don’t reply soon.
She answers with, “You eloped, and you’ve just escaped from the honeymoon suite to call me.”
“No.” I let out a sigh.
“You’re hiding out in the bathroom?”
“Not even close,” I say as I imagine the reason I have called Tally back is because Cade and I have been naked in my bed for days, and desire fills me. “And you’re going to feel bad you’re joking when I tell you what happened.”
“Oh boy. Shoot.” I tell Tally about getting kicked out of paint night because of my tantrum. She says, “You realize you acted that way because you’re jealous.”
“Thanks for the compassion. I do know why I got mad, but I don’t think it was so much Cade as it was the fact that some guy I was with had the nerve to flirt with other women.” I walk over to the counter to clean up my potion-making mess.
“Bella.” Tally lets out a heavy sigh. “You’re not being honest with yourself. There’s definitely something between you and Cade.”
A spoon clatters in the sink when I set it down. “Pure lust. Just because you and Marcel have a special bond doesn’t mean that Cade and I do.”
“I’m not buying it,” she says. “You forget I’ve seen you two in action numerous times over the last decade.”
“So?” The sensation of Cade’s body pressed against mine flashes in my mind, and my insides flutter with the memory. “I’m a horny witch with a thing for hot werebear warriors.”
“Just one by the name of Cade. Now that we know witches and werebear can form a soul-mate bond, I believe you and Cade have an unusual connection worth exploring.”
“I don’t know about that,” I say as I recall how Cade said he was going to take Desiree up on her offer. But for a moment, I let myself believe that Cade and I have the soul-mate bond Tally and Marcel do, and that we could be happily in love forever.
“You’re head over heels in love with him, and we both know it.”
“Love? You are way off base with that one.”
“Am I? Think hard about what really made you mad when Cade was flirting those two girls, and I bet you’ll figure out it was because they were after your man. Your mate, Bella.”
I let out a dry chuckle. “This conversation is pointless. Once Cade and I were kicked out, he tried to convince me to go home with him. I didn’t, and we didn’t part on good terms.” I think about the way he pealed out of the parking lot, and then the image of Desiree in his arms comes to me. I clench my eyes shut and say, “I’m pretty sure he’s done with me. And besides, I’ve already enlisted the help of another man.”
“Another man?” asks Tally. “Who, may I ask?”
“Nate. He’s a werebear lawyer I know. He’s super sweet and kind of dorky, and I don’t have to worry about any physical attraction with him.”
“Of course not. You’re only hot for one man. The one you can’t stop thinking about. The one you dream about and--”
“Stop, Tally. Please.” My heart aches with the pain of knowing none of that can be. “I need to let go of my obsession with him, and you’re not helping.”
“Because I know better. I wish you’d trust me on this, but I suppose it doesn’t matter. If you two are meant to be together, it’s going to happen. No matter how hard you fight it.”
“You’re trying to make me feel better.”
“Definitely, because I’m right,” says Tally with confidence in her voice. “Hey, Marcel’s calling, so I’m going to get it. But we’ll talk later. Okay?”
“Sure. Bye, Tally.”
When I hang up with her, I gaze out my open kitchen window, and a bee buzzes around my echinacea. Tally is right that Cade is on my mind. Even though we parted on unfriendly terms, I can’t stop thinking about him, and it only makes me a fool.
“Give it a rest, Bella.” I let out an irritated huff and march myself outside to do some weeding. Maybe digging my fingers into the earth and getting dirty is what I need to focus on what I want in life. Because it is not a relationship with a werebear who can never do more than break my heart, and to move on, I have to figure out how I’m going to let my fantasies of Cade go forever.
Chapter 6
Nate and I had conflicting schedules for most of the week, so it is Friday night by the time we can get together. This time, when I get ready to go out with a friend, it really feels like it, and when I get to the theater before Nate, I’m not the least bit nervous waiting for him to arrive. We watch a comedy, and as the bloopers play at the end, Nate and I laugh easily with each other, as we did through the whole movie.
When the credits begin to roll, I stand up and say, “Thank you for this. I’m really having a good time.”
“Me too, Bella. This is a nice way to unwind after a stressful week.”
“I can imagine.”
“How was your week?” he asks.
“Pretty low-key,” I say as we walk slowly behind the people filing out. “Mixed a few potions, performed a few spells.”
“Me too,” Nate jokes. “At least some days it feels like it.”
“You work for a divorce firm, right?”
“I do. I had a couple of hard cases go to court over the past few days, but for the most part, my job isn’t difficult. I enjoy helping people get back to being happy.”
Divorce doesn’t happen in werebear clans, and I say, “It must be strange for you considering...” I glance at the humans milling around us as we enter the lobby of the theater.
“My job makes me appreciate what I’ve got. Or will have one day.” He holds the door open for me to exit to the parking lot. “You know, I think it’s smart that you want to learn to be friends with a man before letting yourself marry for love. I see a lot of divorces happen because the couple had nothing more than a physical attraction they never bothered to look beyond.”
“Thanks. That’s kind of scary, though. I can see why you feel so lucky.” I think about Cade and the fact he doesn’t have to worr
y about his forever love the way I do either. One day, his true mate is going to come along, and everything will pretty much click into place. My heart aches when it occurs to me that he’ll ditch the memory of me like worn-out jeans and never give us a second thought. All the more reason I need to let him go.
We’ve reached our cars, and Nate stops to lean against his door. “I’m not quite ready to go home. Feel like a drink and some live music? I hear there’s a great band at the Bear’s Den tonight.”
I glance down at my loose jeans and blouse. Although I’m wearing heels, I’m not exactly dressed to go out, because nothing I have on is very sexy. But then I gaze into Nate’s face. He’s a great guy, but there isn’t any chemistry between us. I have no desire to take him home, and this would be a good test to see if I can enjoy a drink and dancing with a guy just as friends. I say, “Only if you promise to dance with me.”
“I can do that,” he says.
“Sure. I’ll follow you there.”
When Nate and I get to the bar and walk toward it, he says, “We’re early, but this way, we can talk a little before the music starts.”
We enter into a space with natural wood walls and a hardwood floor. High-top tables frame the dance floor except for the side that has the stage. Nate leads us to the bar, where two seats are open, and I slide onto a stool.
The bar is in werebear territory, and humans do not frequent it. So when the buxom, blond bartender’s cheeks redden when she comes over to help us, I’m sure she’s interested in Nate.
I smile and say, “I’d like a lemon drop, please, and my friend here will have...” I look at Nate for his answer. He’s perusing the microbrew menu and doesn’t even glance up when he orders his beer. The waitress frowns at him before walking away.
Once she’s gone, I ask, “What is wrong with you?”