Page 7

Chapter 7

Cat

“ I 'm not sure what a social media presence is.” His lips quirked up on one side. Incredibly cute.

“We can start with an email account and maybe . . . Chatbook?”

“Sure.”

I hooked him up with an email account, then we created a Chatbook page. Within minutes, he had a direct message. That . . . was weird.

“What's that?” he asked, pointing at the screen.

I explained and urged him to open the message.

I've created a fan group for you, Deegar, a cute-faced woman gushed. No worries about how to handle it. I'll do all the work! She ended with three smiley emojis and seven faces throwing a kiss emojis. And her phone number.

“What does this mean?” he asked, his head tilting.

I explained, and color flooded his face.

“How can I tell her no?” he asked, frowning at the screen.

“Just say so.”

He typed a reply.

Hers popped up almost immediately. Please? You're so gorgeous. I promise it won't be any work for you. I’ll do it all!! She added five smiley emojis and ten kisses.

Jeez. My stomach shouldn’t burn with irritation. She was an unknown woman on the internet, not sitting in the living room with Deegar like me.

He looked at me as if I should have a say in this decision.

I shrugged and swallowed back the lump in my throat. He was gorgeous. I could see why women would get excited about him.

“What exactly would a fan group do?” he asked.

“I guess show off your picture and talk about you.”

“They don’t know anything about me.”

They wouldn’t need to. What they didn’t know, they’d make up.

“It would be a private group. Only those invited or who ask to join the group would have access to what’s posted there.”

His gaze slid away from mine. “I don’t want my image or any information about me discussed by others, though I’m well aware I have little control over it.”

I nodded, understanding his concern. I couldn’t imagine anyone starting a fan club dedicated to me. “That's the thing about being in the public eye. People will always talk, whether you want them to or not.”

He sighed, running a hand through his thick, dark hair. “It's just . . . I've always valued my privacy, Cat. I don't know if I can handle having this kind of attention from strangers.”

“I get it, Deegar. It's your decision, and whatever you choose, I'll support you.”

He looked relieved, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.” He sent another message, and it was all I could do not to read over his shoulder. “I told her I don’t want any part of this.” His phone lit up with another direct message. “She says she’ll keep it private.” He sucked in a breath and released it. “Can I forbid this?”

“Unfortunately, no.” I shook my head. “I’m sorry your first social media experience was disconcerting.”

“I don’t quite see the point of social media.”

“It’s a good place to connect with friends. With life rushing past us so fast, it’s easy to miss things. I’ve learned of old family friends’ deaths on Chatbook. Or seen when someone got a new pet. Information’s posted quickly, and it can be fun to scroll through. But you need to be careful. People will post stuff that’s not true.”

“They’d lie?”

“Easily if it suited their agenda.”

“Sounds like life in the orc kingdom only without a phone or social media. The only difference is it might take longer for you to hear the rumors or lies.”

“It sounds like you’ve had some bad experiences.”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

We sat in a silence for a moment before he spoke again. “Would you join the fan group?”

I blinked, caught off guard by his question. “Me? Why would I join a fan group for you?”

His eyes sparkled mischievously. “Because you're my biggest fan.”

A playful smirk made its way onto my face as I wagged a finger at him. “Oh really? Is that so?”

He leaned closer, his breath warm against my cheek. “You must be, because I’m yours.”

“I’m afraid no one’s made a fan club for me.”

“They’re missing out on someone special, then. I’d be the first member of your group.”

“Maybe I should join your group. I could see what they’re saying.”

“And report to me?”

“If you’d like.”

“Would you?”

“You could join yourself. If she ends up with more than one member—two if you count me—they might want to chat with you.”

“There’s only one woman I’m interested in chatting with, Cat. You.”

The way he said my name so tenderly made my heart flip over. I felt like everything I’d gone through over the past year since Mom died had led me to this moment and him. I was falling in love with him.

“I’ll join and let you know if they say anything you might like to know,” I said. Rising, I looked his way. He was comically taller than me, so much so that we were at eye level with me standing. “I think it's probably time for me to go to bed.”

He nodded. “Right. I'll be on the sofa again.”

I hesitated for a moment. Was it too soon? Everything inside me said no, but there was one thread of self-preservation that told me I barely knew him, that I needed more time before I gave him my heart, body, and soul.

“Goodnight,” I said softly at my door, still feeling uncertain.

“Goodnight, mate. Sleep well.”