“What kind of researcher?”
Ari swallows. “He specializes in the effects of sexual health on magical abilities. He—He said shifter puberty isn’t his area of expertise, but he’s going to talk to some colleagues, and he thinks some of his data might be pertinent. So…” He shrugs awkwardly. “Maybe he’ll be able to help.”
I’m still not sure I completely understand. “But why did you talk to him? Like… how did it come up in the first place?”
Shaking his head, he says, “No, I… I called him. I was doing some reading about how reproductive puberty affects athletes, and I couldn’t find any research about sex hormones, so I called him. Because he’s the closest person to an expert in that field that I know.”
A sound comes from the kitchen that might have been “Meep.”
“You were reading up on… You called him because you want to help me?” That’s the only thing I can think of that comes even close to making sense.
Ari looks at me as though I’ve just told him the sky is blue. “Yes.”
“Oh.” Heat rushes up my neck and into my cheeks, and yep, my cock is definitely showing its approval of the situation.Please don’t let him look down.“That’s so nice of you.”
“It might come to nothing,” he warns, his cheeks pink. We must match right now.
This is so ridiculous.
“I still appreciate it. It’s…” Oh no. “It’s…” I choke back a sob.
His eyes widen, and he lifts a hand toward me but just lets it hover, as though he’s afraid to touch me.
“Dinner!” Dáithí says loudly, rushing into the room and grabbing my arm. “Let’s get you some protein, Fe.”
Oh fuck yes.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Ari
Tonight’s been lessweird than I thought it was going to be. After my guilt-ridden confession to Felix, I was able to relax and get out of my head. It helps that I know everyone pretty well—except Felix, and that’s something I want to change.
As in, Ireallywant to change it. I want to know him better than I do now. Better than anyone else. Listening to him talk at dinner, catching up with his friends, asking them the kind of questions that show he listens to them and is interested in their lives… made me jealous.
I stare into my own eyes in the bathroom mirror, slowly shaking my head. It’s ridiculous for me to be jealous. Felix and I are still in the very early stages of friendship, and I can’t expect for us to know each other as well and be as close as he is with his friends. I can’t expect to be the center of his attention even when we’re in a group. That’s more than friendship, and he’s given me no signs to indicate that he’d be interested in that.
Of course, I haven’t exactly sent him any signals, either. I could do that and see where it takes us. I should do that. Iwoulddo that, if our friendship weren’t so new. Because, as weird as it may sound, I don’t want to lose Felix from my life completely. Ifhe’s not interested in a romantic, intimate relationship with me, I’d rather we stayed friends.
Which leaves me exactly where I was when I came into this bathroom ten minutes ago.
Sighing, I dry my hands and square my shoulders. Time to get back out to the living room before anyone starts to think I have gastrointestinal problems—and for an elf, that’s a bigger deal than it would be for any of the Earth species.
I open the door and start down the hallway but only make it a few steps before Jared’s words sink in.
“…just saying, he seems to be sympathetic to your plight. The two of you are getting along so well now, and, well, you can’t say it would be a hardship for you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Felix snaps, sounding so defensive that I have to suppress the urge to race in there and leap to his aid.
“It means you’re hot for Ari and we all know it,” Dáithí declares. “Come on, Fe. We were at the hockey game last week—remember, the one where you whimpered and got turned on just looking at his back?”
I freeze.
“I can’t help what the hormones do to me!”
“Exactly,” Jared interjects calmly. “That’s our point.”
“He knows what’s going on with you, sweetie, and he obviously wants to help. Maybe ask him to help with the sex hormones the old-fashioned way.”
