7. CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER SEVEN

ODETTE

My eyes fly up as my alarm goes off, the last chapter of my book still playing in my head like a movie.

A very inappropriate movie.

Even more disconcerting was the fact that my mind replaced Elodie with myself, and the Nakani with Chente.

A man I literally just met yesterday.

Biting my lip, I grab my cane from next to my nightstand and sit up.

Every bone in my body aches today, and I wish that I had a one restful night of sleep where I awoke feeling refreshed.

As it were, I feel more like someone beat me with my cane while I slept.

The lack of bruises tells me that's not the case, and I know it's going to be one of those days where everything is a battle between me and my body.

When I was diagnosed with MS, I was just a kid.

No one took the time to explain how much I would fight myself, even for the little things.

My phone rings, and I groan as I reach for it. Shai's smiling face fills the screen, and I answer it.

"Hey, Shai."

"Odette! How was your night?"

The familiar twang of her voice makes me smile.

"Ok. Rough morning, but to be fair, I just got up."

"I'm sorry. I hope it gets better. I was just calling to check in on you."

"Liar. You're calling for dirty deets. I hate to disappoint, but I have none to give."

"Boo! So your Chupacabra didn't come back?"

For some reason, I blush at the implications of her words…and the fact that Chente did come back.

"Yes—but only to pick up his library card and some books."

"He didn't talk to you?"

"Of course he talked to me."

"You know what I mean, Ode."

A long-suffering sigh escapes from me. "It was nothing important. He just asked me some questions."

"Like?"

"What makes me unique."

Shai gasps so hard I fear she might have knocked herself over.

"He asked what ?!"

"Why are you acting like his question means anything?"

"Since when do guys ask women what makes them unique if they aren't interested?"

"I'm sure it's more common than you think."

My bestie scoffs. "And I'm sure you're in denial."

"He was just getting books…but he did walk me out to my car. He seemed really preoccupied with the fact that I'm the only one there."

Shai snorts. " You're the only one not preoccupied with it. Why do you think I get you mace an' lace for every birthday?"

"Because you're a weirdo?"

"Well, that's been confirmed, but no. Because I worry about your safety."

"The lace is for my safety?"

"Nah. That's for when you meet someone to fulfill all those dirty fantasies of yours. You know, where the monster rips it off with teeth and claws? Now you have a stock of panties for him to go through. You're welcome."

I laugh. "You are something else, you know that?"

"Thank you—I'll take that as a compliment."

"Shai…I dreamed about Chente last night."

My bestie stops laughing. "Really? I don't think I've ever heard you say that about, ya know, a real guy."

She's right. I've only ever been attracted to my book boyfriends because they're the only ones I've ever felt a connection to.

Growing up, I thought my lack of interest was due to my MS.

It wasn't until years later that I realized I'm demisexual and need to have a connection to feel anything remotely romantic or even sexual.

Books give me a chance to make that connection.

Real life… not so much .

Shai understands how monumental dreaming about Chente is for me.

And like the true friend she is, she's here to support me.

"What do you think it means?"

"I think it means something's there, and you should see where it takes you."

"But what if he doesn't feel the same? I think that would crush me."

"It's scary admitting how you feel to someone. It takes courage to be vulnerable because you know they have the power to hurt you. But you're the bravest person I know, Odette."

"Me?" I squeak in disbelief. "I wouldn't even go hiking on trails when we were kids because I was so afraid. It's you who's the bravest person I know."

"Sometimes I wish you could see yourself how I do—how Chente seems to. Who fought to ensure Quebec had wheelchair access in all public spaces? Not Sherbrooke, not even Montreal, but the entire province— you ! The self-proclaimed mousy, wallflower librarian. You've never given yourself enough credit."

"You know I wasn't the only one pushing that bill for wheelchair accessibility, right?"

" Odette ."

"Ooo, you used your serious voice. Funnily enough, in the current book I'm reading, the heroine faces the same worry."

"Of following her heart?"

"More or less."

"And does she?"

"Elodie confesses to her Nakani that she loves him, but he hasn't told her yet that he's claimed her as his mate. They were still… you know ."

Shai giggles like a schoolgirl.

"Actually, I don't know. Tell me more. In explicit detail."

"You're so bad! I'll buy you the ebook so you can listen to it. It's not on audiobook but you can use your phone to listen to the file."

"Just what I need, to get all hot an' bothered while I'm already sweating, mucking out stalls."

Now I laugh. It's what I love most about Shai. Talking to her always makes me smile.

"I'll email it over to you when I get to work. Speaking of, I need to get ready if I don't want to be late."

"Ok, but tell Chente ‘hi' for me."

"I'm not seeing him today. He has no reason to come in."

"Oh, you sweet summer child."

She hangs up clucking her tongue, and I roll my eyes.

There's absolutely no reason for Chente to come in today.

He has enough books to keep him busy for at least a week.

No, he's definitely not coming in…but I put on my prettiest dress.

Just in case.