“I prefer the company of women,” she explained calmly.
Oh.
Then her gaze shifted back to me.
Oh!
I blinked. “Is itmeyou wanna fuck?”
“Christ,” Hart turned completely to view the drama he’s been begging for.
A small smile tugged at my lips and I repeated. “You wantme?”
Lav didn’t answer right away, just looked at me steadily. “…I think you’re really pretty, Aurora.”
Oh!
That caught me off guard for real. I straightened a little, brushing my hair back behind my ear. Marlon got rid of Wyatt not knowing the one he should be worried about was closer than he thought.
“I think you’re gorgeous too,” I added, meaning it. Then I shook my head lightly. “But I can’t. Marlon will get mad.”
Hartland sat up straighter at that. “Wow. You care what he thinks? I thought you said you two were casual. Or you exclusive?”
“We aren’t,” I said quickly. “I just… don’t wanna upset him.”
The room felt quieter for a second.
Lavender hummed softly. “Hm.”
“What?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at her.
“Do you love him?”
I paused.
“Love, huh?” I leaned back against the desk, crossing my arms loosely. “Hm… maybe I do.”
That sounded strange coming out of my mouth.
“Maybe?”
“I’ve never beenin lovebefore, so I don’t know what it feels like.”
“Seriously?” Hart asked.
“Seriously,” I said. “I dated before. But I never even had a real relationship before.”
Well, that part wasn’t a hundred percent true. I was in a relationship with Orim for a long time. I thought I loved her then, but she transitioned, ending us. My heart wasn’t broken then, the love I had was just reshaped.
My heart wasn’t even broken by Jason. I just accepted the new reality and moved on.
I don’t think I’ve ever experienced heartbreak and maybe that’s because I’ve never been in love. Was what I felt for Marlon that? Love?
Hartland let out a low whistle.
Lavender blinked at me. “Wow. And with a man who doesn’t do long term relationships. I must say, you picked a hell of a person for your first time experiencing love.”
I shrugged, trying to play it off even though my chest felt a little tight. “I thought the whole point was you can’t help who you love,Lavender.”
