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Though I don’t know how I would make it happen, I realize I want that.
“What?” Jo asks.
Shit. Did I just say that out loud?
“You said you want that. Want what?”
“Uh.” I’m not sure I want to admit it. It seems so ridiculous. Should I study the menu and ask Lucy for a hot fudge dragon’s delight?
Pressing her palm to my face, Jo asks, “You want a dad?”
A dad? Is that what I want? I can’t imagine it. Maybe it worked for Jo, but I think it’s a little late in the game for me to have a dad.
“No.” I shrug. “I don’t know what I want.”
“Tell me.” She tips her head and doesn’t drop her piercing gaze. “Tell me what you’re thinking, Chance. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you more about my history. Sorry I didn’t tell you that Chris framed me for hacking into a banking database and I was about to go to trial and be sent to prison for a crime I didn’t commit. I’m sure you wondered why I’m here, why I didn’t come in with the first twenty women. To be honest, I don’t know why I didn’t share that with you.”
I hug her tighter and kiss her forehead and cheeks. This isn’t sexual. It’s pure affection, letting her know I’m sorry for all the pain she endured.
“I wish I’d been there with you. To hold your hand, support you.”
“And I wish you didn’t have to go through all the shit you’ve been through, Chance. But here we are. Together. And you just mumbled that you want something. I’d like to know what you want.”
After stroking her silky purple hair, I step away to look into her eyes. “I want a family.” I shrug, hearing how stupid that was. “I don’t know how to get that.”
For a swift moment, I wonder if she thinks I just proposed. It would have been a crazy thing to do—we’ve only known each other a few weeks. That’s not what I meant. She doesn’t look upset, though, so I imagine she didn’t misunderstand me.
She sucks her milkshake, then shakes her head in disgust and says, “Blech! It’s warm.”
She scratches a place between my withers, then says, “I have an idea. Let’s blow this popstand.”
First, Lucy popped for something, now Jo wants to blow some popstand. I shrug, feeling as though there’s a lot of pop culture I need to read up on. There’s obviously something I’m missing.
Jo and I say goodbye to Lucy, then leave the shop to walk on the wide, dirt main street. A moment later, we’ve cut between two stores and are in the woods.
“Lean down, big guy, give me a ride.”
In two seconds flat, I’m picking my way through the trees, my female on my back and the sun dappling down on me through the canopy of leaves. Everything seems right with the world again.
Soon, we’re at our special clearing. It’s not as magical as it is in the moonlight, but it’s pretty and serene here. We’re surrounded by tall trees, yet we’re sheltered in this almost perfectly round little meadow, away from prying eyes.
She leaps off my back and stands on a stump so we can talk face-to-face.
“You told me you’ve never allowed yourself to get close to the other splicers. You said it was something about them being predators and you being prey.”
“Yes.”
“Maybe that wasn’t a good decision.”
I expect her to elaborate, but she pauses, waiting for me to put the pieces together.
“You’re saying I should be friends with all the splicers?”
“No. Not everyone, but aren’t there a few people you feel an affinity for?”
“Well, we eat with Noble and Ty every night. They’re nice males,” I hedge. Although I enjoy their company, I wouldn’t say they’re good friends. Besides, they’re so consumed with their newfound mating relationships, I doubt they’d have a lot of time for me.
“Okay… nice males. Not exactly a glowing description. Out of a hundred guys, are you telling me there’s no one you’ve felt a connection with?”
