Page 14

Harper

The next morning I bounced out of bed before the alarm went off, which was a damn miracle, an event Daria marked. She came shuffling out of her room, then reached for a coffee. I poured her a tall mug with a flourish before handing it over.

“Good morning,” I said brightly.

“No such thing…” she growled, then plopped down on one of the stools at the breakfast bar. “A sentiment you and I shared up until now.” I watched her take a long sip of her coffee and then set it down. “Why the hell are you so chip…?”

Uh-oh. Daria could be half shifter herself, because her instincts were on point. Her eyes narrowed as I turned around to butter the toast that just popped from the toaster.

“Where’d you get to last night?” she asked. I stayed resolutely focussed on my breakfast, making sure to spread the butter right to the corners. “Your car wasn’t in the driveway when I got in.”

“Yeah, so?—”

Energised by her suspicions, she walked over to the window and peered past the curtains to the car park below.

“It’s still not there.”

“Right, so—” I started to reply.

“What happened last night, Harp?” Daria’s face transformed. All her exhaustion was wiped away and replaced by a devilish glee. “Anything to do with those hot tradie shifters?”

“Yes.”

There was no point lying to Daria. She’d work that out really quickly and then pester me even more. Not giving her any details would drive her slowly insane, which of course was my goal.

“What?!” No more zombie shuffling around the kitchen for Daria.

She barrelled up, slopping coffee on the floor.

“You didn’t tell me anything. What happened, and with who?

You banged?” She peered at me, not letting me answer before peppering me with more questions.

“You did, didn’t you?” I couldn’t keep my grin down and that had her waving her finger in my face.

“With the big guy? No, the hot dark haired one with the dimples? Ohh, tell me it was the grumpy one. Those kinds of guys go off in the sack.”

I popped a piece of toast in my mouth and then winked as I chewed.

“No… No…” Daria was being overly dramatic and that was always fun to watch. “More than one guy?” Her voice came out in a high pitched squeak. “All three…?”

I swallowed.

“Two.”

“You had a threesome with two hot shifter dudes?” Her butt was planted back on the stool, and then she grabbed my butter knife, holding it out like it was a microphone. “So how does it feel being one of God’s favourite children?”

“Good.” I started laughing when I heard the sound of her teeth grinding together, only to turn around and find her angrily chewing my remaining piece of toast. “Hey, that’s my breakfast!”

“You banged two studs last night,” she replied.

“Allow me what pleasures I can find. Soo…” I stiffened as I placed another couple of pieces of bread in the toaster, because I knew where this conversation was headed.

“When are you seeing them again, and are you gonna rope the hot grumpy dude in for naked fun?”

I didn’t reply, listening to the sound of the toaster element heating, feeling the warmth on my face, then jumping when the toast popped up.

I placed two pieces on a plate for Daria and gingerly carried one over to my now empty plate.

Hers were pushed her way, because food wasn’t enough to distract her.

“Pretty sure this is a one time thing,” I said. “They found my workplace.”

“They what?” She clapped a hand over her mouth to stop from asking more questions, then gestured for me to continue.

“Came and helped me finish my shift and mopped the floors.” I shrugged.

“We went out for a few drinks.” Where they confessed that I was their fated mate, I left that part out.

“Figured the only way to round out a good chicken parmi was a threesome. Mack wasn’t into the idea and went and did ‘paperwork.’ I booked it in the middle of the night…

” For a moment, all I could see was Mack’s face as he appeared in the hallway.

Well, that and his very impressive chest. “Didn’t want things to get awkward in the morning, y’know. ”

“So…” Daria’s demeanour completely changed, her tone lowering. She stared up at me. “You’re not like their fated mate or anything? I was sure there was something going on there because two of them stared at you like you hung the moon.”

I could’ve lied, but Daria was my best friend. If there was anyone that I could confess this to, it was her.

“They think I am.” I took a quick bite of my toast, needing a second to work out how to phrase this.

“At least Tor and Kieran think I am. That’s what the whole conversation at the pub was about.

Mack seems pretty determined to believe I’m not, but he doesn’t get it.

” I shrugged. “Doesn’t matter what they think or whatever their animal selves reckon, because we all know how this is gonna go. ”

Daria stared at me wide eyed, as if watching a slow motion car crash.

“I’ve had guys tell me I’m the one, that they can’t believe their luck in landing me.

” I shook my head. “My personal favourite is when they reckon I’m too good for them, right before they prove their point.

I’ve tried dating intentionally, making clear I wouldn’t be sleeping with anyone until I felt like we had something solid going, only for them to ghost the moment we fuck. ”

I pushed the toast away, my appetite gone.

“Look, I’ve just reconciled myself to the fact that this is the way it is now.

Dating apps have ruined everything. They make people think they have infinite choice, that someone hotter, better, will come along at the next swipe, so why settle for what you have right now?

I’m pretty sure the whole fated mate line is just a shifter version of ‘I’m looking for a committed relationship’ fuckboy bullshit, so I figured we’d have a bit of naked fun and then I could walk away. No harm, no foul.”

For a moment, silence reigned in the kitchen. Daria just stared before shaking her head, her breath coming out in a hiss.

“Bloody hell, girl, I knew you were feeling jaded. I’m right there with you, babes, but damn, that’s cold.” I stepped back, arms crossing. “This could’ve been something real.”

“I’ll keep that in mind the next time a shifter tells me he’s my fated mate.” My toast was dumped in the bin, my plate put into the dishwasher. “Now, I’ve gotta get to work.”

She was in the shower by the time I left the apartment, so I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye.

As I ran down the stairs, my phone started buzzing and, for just a moment, I dared to feel a tiny flicker of hope.

That the guys were going to buck the terrible trend I’d been riding since my very first boyfriend in high school.

Instead, it was an unknown number. With a sigh, I answered the call, expecting it to be a charity begging for donations or a phone company rep, wanting to sell me a new mobile plan.

“Hello?” I said, looking around and realising I’d need to get an Uber to the pub to pick up my car.

“Hey, Harper.” The overly friendly male voice on the line had me frowning. “This is Shaun.” I stared at the road, having no idea who that was. “Your mum gave me your number.”

Shit, I thought his name was Brian for some reason.

“Hi, Shaun,” I replied, forcing myself to use my good customer service tone. “How are you?”

“Fantastic, now I’m talking to you.” Thank god I hadn’t eaten too much toast, because my bile was rising higher by the second.

“So your mother really talked you up, made you sound like a total catch.” Yeah, she said that shit to strangers.

Not to me, though. “Just wanted to see if I could take you out for dinner?”

No, I wanted to snap. Absolutely not, but of course, I couldn’t do that with impunity. Mum would be on the phone minutes later, berating me about snoozing on a lovely guy like Brian.

Shaun.

“Sure,” I said, “when were you thinking?”

“How about tonight?” I closed my eyes, feeling a headache start. “We could go to this really cute place…”

He had more to say, so much more, but I just let it all wash over me until I got a time and a place.

“OK, so did you want me to meet you there?” I asked.

“A gentleman always picks a lady up on a date,” he said. “Text me your address and I’ll be by around seven.”

“Sure,” I said. “Great.”

“And Harper…” His voice had gotten low and throaty. “Wear something sexy, babe. If you’re a chip off the ol block, I’d be proud to walk into a restaurant with you on my arm.”

I rubbed at my forehead.

“Done, now I’m sorry to cut this call short, but I’ve gotta grab an Uber or I’ll be late for work.”

Twenty minutes later, I was riding in the back of one, towards the pub, wondering where all the good vibes had gone. Last night was a fever dream of fun, but of course once the afterglow had faded, I was left here, dealing with harsh reality. I paid the driver, then got into my car…

After checking my texts.

No morning messages, no missed phone calls, nothing. Just as I suspected. Mack’s big speech was obviously yet more bullshit. I turned the ignition on and then drove out of the car park.