Page 34 of Siren’s Secret

“It got into a fight with a fern over there,” Diana replied and pointed at a plant that was sitting in one corner. It almost looked like the plant had been placed on a time-out.

Wave’s eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

Diana laughed. “No. I just accidentally crushed this leaf when I dropped one of my books.”

Wave narrowed her eyes. “I’m not so sure I believe you,” she said and pointed at the fern. “That looks like a time-out to me.”

Diana’s eyes sparkled, but she didn’t refute Wave’s claim. “So, what did you want to talk about?”

Taking a fortifying breath, Wave blurted out, “Irishen.”

Diana stopped fussing with the plant and turned to fully face her. “Okay,” she said carefully. “You think he might be your mate?”

Wave groaned. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” Now Diana smiled. Wave kept going, regretting the words even before they left her lips. “I think I’m starting to like him.”

Diana rolled her eyes. “Starting to? I think you’re at least halfway there.”

“Well, yes, but—”

“It’s all right, Wayla. Really. I told you he apologized.”

“That doesn’t mean you’re over it or okay with me spending time with him,” Wave argued. Diana fell silent for a moment and scrutinized Wave before speaking.

“Do you want me to give you an excuse to avoid your possible mate bond, or do you want to hear what I really think?”

Wave gulped. “Hit me.”

“I think we were never right for each other. Under different circumstances, we might have made it work, but after he explained what was going on—and I’m not going to tell you, it’s between you two what you share—I understand that I wasn’t the right match for him.” She held up a hand to stop Wave from speaking. “I also realized that he absolutely wasn’t the right match for me.”

“Okay,” Wave said hesitantly and Diana continued.

“Risha is wild, brash, and arrogant even on the best of days. He needs someone who can keep up and stand up to him. I’m quiet, a bit shy, and I hate confrontation, especially the shouting kind. I need—want someone like Salis. He makes me feel comfortable enough to come out of my shell and he makes me laugh, even when we’re arguing.”

“Are you two…”

“Friends. I’m not sure if we’ll ever be anything more, but being friends with him has shown me what I really want. Not what I think I should want. I want a partner, not a statement piece.”

“Risha is not a statement piece,” Wave said, feeling suddenly defensive. Diana’s giggle made her feel foolish, and she hung her head.

“To you, no. You are on his level, well, maybe even higher. With the two of you, you make statements together. I’m not saying this right, but you get what I mean, right?”

Wave rubbed at her temples. “I think so. Not that I’m happy about it, but I think I get it.” She groaned. “Doesn’t mean I have to like it, though, does it?”

Diana shook her head and turned back to her plant. “It doesn’t, but I think you still do. Your eyes sparkle when you talk about him.”

“They do not!” Wave protested.

“They do.” Diana nodded sagely. Then her hand stilled, and she turned back toward Wave. “What about the rest of them? Jarred, Marc, Hellion?”

Now it was Wave’s turn to shake her head. “I don’t know. I don’t think it’s going to… They won’t… Jarred—” Wave choked off and her fingers drifted over the bite on her neck. Diana reached out and patted her shoulder sympathetically.

“You’ll figure it out, eventually.”

“I made out with both of them. Today. At the same time,” Wave blurted out.

Diana’s eyes widened to comical degrees, and she spun back to face Wave so fast she almost fell off her chair. “What?”

Wave rubbed her temples. “I’m insane,” she said and lay on the floor, preparing for a long talk. Hopefully, Di would be able to talk some sense into her.