“My pleasure.” Tristan gives an old-fashioned bow, but somehow, he can pull it off. “I’ll wait for you in the car.”
It’s oddly thoughtful of him to give me the space to fully relax without anyone’s eyes on me. I take a deep breath and let it out, ready to give myself over fully to the experience. But then I see Tanya herding a few disgruntled-looking customers out the side door. One of them even shoots me a glare over her shoulder.
My heart sinks. Tristan’s impulsive gesture was incredibly kind to me, but it ruined several other people’s days. I don’t want my happiness to come at anyone else’s expense.
“No!” Tanya says, scurrying over. “Don’t you feel bad. I gave them all gift certificates for free treatments. They’re very happy to come back tomorrow. And I’m splitting the tip with all the gals here, so they’re happy, too.”
“Are you sure?”
“One hundred percent. Girl, just sit back and enjoy yourself, please. That nice man is footing the bill, and we are going to pamper every inch of you. I wouldn’t be surprised if you get a proposal tonight.”
My cheeks heat up as Tanya steers me to one of the treatment rooms. Maybe I shouldn’t have accepted Tristan’s gift after all. “We’re just friends, I swear. He’s a vet client of mine, actually. Not a boyfriend.”
“Mhm. Well, if you don’t have the good sense to marry him, I will.”
I can’t help giggling. “He’s all yours. I have…”
I almost said a boyfriend. But Zed’s not my boyfriend. We had one date. One perfect night. No commitment. No plans for a future together. In fact, there’s a ticking clock on our connection.
“Ohhhh,” Tanya says, nodding wisely. “I see.”
I’m glad she does, because I don’t. What do I have? A heart that’s already breaking. I’m pre-breaking it. Always been an overachiever like that.
Or maybe it’s just still broken from the first time, and I never put it back together. Gosh, it’s a little achey right now. Why am I moping when I just got a ten-thousand-dollar gift from a handsome guy who’s sitting outside in a limo?
Because he’s not the handsome guy I want. And the one I want isn’t evenreal. He’s a fantasy I’ve built up. He’s going to disappear again. If not tomorrow, then a week from now. A month. I could give him another fifteen years and a fated mate could snatch him away in a second.
How stupid am I? Tanya’s right. I should have the good sense to put my energy toward someone who isn’t going to disappear.
I step into the hewn-stone bath filled with steaming water and floating rose petals. As Tanya and her girls work the knots out of my muscles, pluck the stray hairs, and scrub away the vet-sweat, it’s like they dressing me in armor. And after the soak, when they’re painting every fingernail and eyelid pretty and fingerwaving my hair, they’re sharpening my sword.
Tanya zips me into my dress, a strapless navy sheath that sets off my eyes and bares my very exfoliated shoulders. The mirror doesn’t lie—I look good. I look like the kind of women who gets invited to speak at huge galas because Iamthat kind of woman.
I’m ready to go to battle for myself.
Last night was an indulgence. God, it was amazing. But it was just part of a dream, and now I have to wake up. Maybe this event will be good for me because I can compare Zed and Tristan head-to-head. Use logic to prove that Zed’s hold on my imagination doesn’t make him superior to anyone else. I can’t let him take my heart hostage forever.
He’s just another guy. What’s special about him, anyway? He’s a dragon, but there are lots of dragon dudes. What makes him better than them just because I knew him once upon a time?
He’s hot and sweet and smart and funny and he has two amazing dicks, a little voice reminds me.Tristan’s pretty face and millions of dollars can’t compete with that.
How stupid am I to stack a nice dick or two up against a literal fortune? I’m so stupid because I’m stupidly in love. That’s been my problem all along, I think. I’m still in love with Zed after all these years. Maybe I always will be. But I’m not crazy…I think he feels the same way. I can’t help grinning at the realization.
Tanya gives a low whistle. “I thought you were looking gorgeous, but with that smile on your face? Straight-up stunning.”
Self-consciously, I arrange my skirt. “Aw, thanks. All credit to you and your team.”
“You know, I feel a little bad for him,” she says, sounding wistful.
“Who?”
She tips her pink ponytail toward the street outside where Tristan’s limo is idling at the curb. “The one you’re not in love with.”
“That obvious, huh?”
“It’s all over your face, babe.”
Chapter 17
