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Cora stopped and stared at me. “He’s being nice … and you’re not spending the whole time complaining about how much of an ass he is … what’s going on?”
Heat crept up my neck, but I tried my best to push it away. “Nothing’s going on.”
Her suspicious stare lingered on me, and I had the feeling she wasn’t going to let up. “Sara, you’ve had nothing but negative things to say about him since he moved in next door, and now you want me to believe nothing is going on?”
I guess my hopeful tone before gave it away. It suddenly seemed harder to hide.
“Maybe he realized he was being a jerk and wanted to make amends. Or Willow could’ve said something to him.”
But Cora didn’t drop it. Instead, she abandoned her candles and crossed her arms.
She didn’t have to say anything to wear me down.
Sighing, I casted my determination aside. “Fine. He helped me get Ryan out of my hair after overhearing us fighting, and we decided to come up with an arrangement to convince his parents to get off his back about not having a girlfriend. We’ve been fake dating to help each other, and he’s been really good about it.”
Cora looked completely blown away. “Sara, that’s so insane.”
“I know,” I mumbled with a huff. “But it’s working. As far as I know, Ryan has given up, and his mom hasn’t forced Griffin on any dates since. I’ve been able to see him in a different light, and I don’t think he’s that bad of a guy.”
It was the first time I had admitted it to even myself.
I used to loathe Griffin, but after spending time with him and better understanding his situation, he was starting to grow on me.
Cora sighed, “I guess if that’s all, it’s not that bad. But when I brought up someone making you happy, I assumed it was Noah.”
“There is more, though,” I said sheepishly as I prepared myself for her next reaction. “We actually … slept together after the Roadbar.”
Cora’s eyes widened. “What?!”
Holding my hands up defensively, I knew I shouldn’t have expected anything less. “It was really nice. He helped me home and even sobered me up. I guess it just escalated from there.”
As the shock coursed through her, she pulled in a deep breath. “I know I pressured you to put yourself out there, but I didn’t expect this. Consider me surprised.”
“You don’t think I’m completely pathetic for sleeping with him?”
While she looked weary, Cora sighed. “Of course not. But just be careful, alright? I don’t want you to get hurt by another shifter.”
“I appreciate that, but it’s just fun. I’ll be fine,” I said, offering her a reassuring smile.
She nodded, believing me despite the slight hesitation in her eyes. “I’m glad you’re over Ryan at least.”
We continued working, making sure the candles were replaced until a knock at the door tore our attention away.
“Oh, Noah,” I said, spotting him sticking his head in the doorway.
“Speaking of,” Cora murmured under her breath as she pulled away to grab another box.
Ignoring her, I smiled lightly.
“Sorry to just drop in again,” Noah said, wearing his tactical gear again. “I’m just on my break and I was hoping to speak with you. I checked Willow’s place, but she told me you’d be here.”
“Sure, no problem,” I returned casually, leaving the candles behind to join him.
Cora threw me a suggestive grin as she disappeared into the supply closet.
We both stepped outside, and Noah smiled warmly at me. “I was going to text you, but I figured asking you in person would be the better thing to do.”
“Ask away.”
