6. Bryce

6

Bryce

Bryce

“ W hy am I so nervous?” I turned to Papa and held out my tie. “Can you do this for me? My hands won’t work right tonight.”

Chuckling, he came closer and fixed my tie. “You’ve known Connor since you two were in diapers. And now Fate has spoken and shown you that he’s so the perfect match for you. Luckily you are both shifters and grew up with the same set of beliefs. He’s aware of the concept of true mates and how that works. This should be simple. Why are you two making things harder on yourselves?”

“I need to prove to him that I’m serious about staying in Valleywood and with him.” I understood where Connor was coming from, even if I did wish we could jump straight into our happily ever after and not do this will-we-won’t-we dance. “If this is what he needs to give himself completely to our connection, then I am willing to go on a thousand dates to prove it to him.”

“He does realize he had a part to play in what went down ten years ago, too, right? He chose not to tell you how much he didn’t want you to leave. He decided not to go with you. He cut off all contact, thinking it would be easier for you both.” Papa brushed a piece of hair out of my face. “If he hadn’t, you two could have done a long-distance thing even. I know both of you, and neither of you would have strayed. It would have worked for you guys. So, he needs to take responsibility, too.”

“I acknowledge we both had a part to play in the past.” I turned and grabbed my watch from the table. “And I think he realizes that as well. But sometimes, it’s still hard to move on. I’m going to proceed the way he needs us to. At least for now, and we will see. I won’t let him put all the blame on me. But I also want to prove that I hear him and care about his feelings.”

“You’re a good man, Bryce. I’m proud.”

“I’m a good man because you and Dad showed me how to be.” I kissed Papa on the cheek and headed toward the door. “Now, wish me luck. I have a date to impress.”

Driving to Connor’s house, I went over my plans for the evening. The pressure of wanting it to be perfect was almost suffocating. I pulled over about a mile from my destination and shut off the car. I needed a moment to ground myself.

Breathe. Everything will work out. Fate is on our side. We need to show Connor we are still the man he was in love with ten years ago and worth the second shot.

My wolf pushed against my skin in the comforting way he did when I needed confidence.

Calmer, I restarted the car and finished my journey to Connor’s.

As I walked up to his house, I realized he had purchased the place we always said we would own one day together. Part of me was sad that he had gone ahead and done so alone. Another part of me was hopeful that this was a sign that he had always known, even if subconsciously, I’d be back for him.

“Hey.” Connor answered his door, ready to go, slipping right out into the night and locking up. “Where are we headed to tonight?”

“I thought we would grab dinner and see where the night takes us. I do have a few ideas if nothing spontaneous pops up though.” I opened the passenger side door for him and closed it once he was settled inside.

Getting into the driver’s seat and starting the car, I spared another glance at my date. “You look really nice tonight, Connor.”

“Thanks.” Connor sat with his hands in his lap, fingers fidgeting with the ring he wore on his right hand. My ring, a family heirloom I had given him in our senior year when I told him he held my heart.

“You still wear it.”

Connor looked up at me, his eyes wide. “Oh. Um, yeah. I—”

“I’m glad.” I had hoped he still had it, but I never would have imagined he wore it still. The fact that my ring graced his finger sent tingles of satisfaction down my spine. I could only see this as a positive sign.

“You are?”

“I gave it to you and meant it when I said my heart was yours. It always was and always will be.”

“Oh.” Connor looked back down at the ring, and the silence grew until I turned on the radio to a low hum after starting the car.

A thick tension filled the air around us now and I wanted to vanquish it, so I decided corny jokes would have to do. “Why did the witch stay at the hotel?”

“Seriously?” Connor turned to me, but the upturn of his lips told me I was doing the right thing.

“Yup.”

“I don’t know. Why did she?”

“She heard it had great broom service.”

“You are such a dork.” Connor rolled his eyes, but the humor in his voice couldn’t be hidden.

“Come on, it’s a good one.”

“If you say so.”

“Like you could do better.”

“Oh, I can.”

“Prove it.”

“Fine.” Connor tilted his head the way he always had when thinking hard about something. Several moments later, he smiled. “How do witches write spells?”

“How?”

“In Cursive.”

Laughing, I shook my head. “You’re right. You are the king of corny jokes.”

Connor turned back to look forward in the car, but his smile was wide. “And proud of it.”

And I was proud I could still make him grin.

Soon, we were at our destination—El Sabor del Sol. I picked the authentic Mexican restaurant due to its focus on seafood. One of the first dates I had ever taken Connor on in high school was for seafood. We hadn’t gone here, and we had gotten sick, but the thought was still the same. I wanted to remind him of our past and then show him how great our future could be.

“I love it here.” Connor gestured around the large outdoor dining area. “I’ve only been here once before with Evelyn, but it was amazing. Thanks for thinking of it. Better than those fish tacos in high school.”

Yes, he remembers.

“I heard the food here won’t send us to the hospital, so I figured that was a win for a first date.” I scrolled through the menu. “I think I’m going to have the daily special.”

“That does look amazing. I think I am going to order that as well.”

Once we placed our orders with the waiter and received our margaritas, the energy around us relaxed and was like it used to be when we were younger. I was always able to feel energy, and I was thankful for that gift now since it helped me read the signals from my mate.

“I love the atmosphere. These palm trees and heating lamps… I bet it’s beautiful year-round.” Connor’s face shone with excitement, eyes bright and a wide smile stretching his lips. I had never seen something more beautiful.

“I’m glad you like it. I wanted to bring you somewhere special.” I sipped my drink to save me from speaking too much. Something about Connor always made me want to spill all my truths.

“Thank you, Bryce.” Connor reached out and held my hand. “It’s perfect.”