Page 71 of Novice Girlfriend

It was really, really difficult to keep track of it all.

“Thank you,” Winter breathed. “First, I’m sorry Clare did that, and I completely agree with Danny that she heard what she did, not what you said. Also, I would have heard the same because of my own traumas. I practically did, but—that’s a tough one to swallow as someone who cares deeply for you.”

“I know. I see that now,” I accepted. “I yelled at Link the same to remember us who…” I swallowed loudly when I saw upset in his eyes. “Winter, I care about him, okay? It’s not like that with us. I believe you that he thinks I’m hot. He’s never acted like it. He’s hot, but he’s not like…”

“Oh boy,” Danny sighed, scrubbing his hand over his neck. “You’re going to have to finish that, Bev.”

“Yeah, I know,” I grumbled. I met Winter’s upset gaze and there was too much for me to lock onto. “You won’t like my answer, but I can tell you it’s not sexual. What I feel for him isn’t romantic.”

“Okay, tell me anyways.”

“This isn’t fair,” I whispered. “You’re going to get worse and it’s not my fault. It’s not his fault for treating me so well.”

“Now I’m confused too,” Danny muttered.

I huffed. “Link is always there for me. He never doubts me. Never makes me feel stupid. Never brushes me off besides one time that he admitted he was just overloaded. He’s the first to always hear me out and always has been. He’s like my battle buddy or—I don’t know. Not like I’m his sidekick or he’s mine, but when the shit hits the fan we’re always in it together.”

“You’re right, I don’t like it,” Winter said, bobbing his head. “But you’re right that it’s not your fault and even started before you met me. I’m glad you’ve had that now. I want it to be me.”

“We can’t be each other’s everything only, Sir Winter,” I mumbled. “Even I know that’s not healthy.” I gestured to Danny as if to make my point. “I might not have known Link as long, but it’s really like this, but maybe he likes my breasts. Please just let it go.”

“I’m trying, but I’m stuck on a few things about what happened.”

“Okay, hit me,” I offered, trying not to sigh.

He let me see in his gaze that he knew what I was feeling. “You said your magic—you said it was a line you didn’t want to cross. No, something you didn’t want to touch? Something about your magic wanted to explore the fact you could cut a familiar bond but…”

I nodded, knowing what he was referring to but not exactly how I’d worded it, especially because it had been more than once. “And you’re upset I went against that for Link.”

“Yes,” he answered immediately but then sighed. “No. I don’t know. I need more context?”

I nodded again. That was fair, but I shot Danny a worried glance before focusing back on Winter. “There was no hesitation this time that it wasn’t the right move. Last time it was my freakout and trauma over what Conrad did and an ace up my sleeve. This time someone was dead. I know what Jason Berns is capable of and how bad this was.

“There was nothing in me saying don’t do this. It was the first and only choice in that split second, but I was completely sure. I didn’t even think to put the familiar in the bubble. It was time to take someone off the board more than it being Link in danger. Do I know if putting someone’s familiar in a time-out like that would do enough to their magic to stop an attack?”

“No, but would cutting the connection with their familiar?” Danny muttered. “I would think the head of a family could still get off one damn good blast.”

“The distraction was more the goal,” I admitted. “But he wouldn’t know if it was forever or not. I had the opportunity and every justification like I won’t again. I took it.”

Winter seemed settled with that. “Have you checked if the gods are cool with that? If you were punished? I’m going to lose it if you were punished for him.”

“My choice, not for him,” I warned, glad when he nodded. I gave him a sad smile. “You think the gods sit around and watch me? That it will be an instant response?” I let out a heavy breath when they both flinched, crossing my arms over my chest, but at least glad to tell them what I’d already figured out. “Yes, I can still do it, but I don’t think it would be immediate.”

“Fair, but you’re a good judge of what is going on. How do you feel about it?” Danny asked.

“No regrets.” I snorted. “No, I regret that I can’t get other family heads. Whoever else is bribing council guards like this and killing. Ever since…” I stood and stretched. “Sorry, I’m at the limit of what I can tell you.”

“This situation changed since you saw the spirit guide more than what happened today with Link,” Winter surmised.

“Yeah, I think so,” I admitted. “Accepting Wyatt as my priest officially. It’s like unlocked more?” I frowned and kept stretching. “I feel like more paths are open in front of me. More purpose?”

“No pressure,” Danny drawled.

Winter and I both snorted.

“Thank you for explaining it better to me, little sexy. I’ll try my best, but just know he’s a hot button for me.”

“That’s fine, but I’m not… I’m not doing anything wrong. I’ll talk about it and be as transparent with you as possible, but I’m not ditching him like I’ve done anything wrong.” I had an idea and pulled out my phone, unlocking it and then tapping Link’s text message thread before handing it to Winter. “I have nothing to hide.”