Page 64 of Rogue's Path

It’s almost impossible to hold back a laugh. Nice. You’ve been hanging on to her every word all night. You don’t think she’s just nice. “She is. I’m so glad you were able to join us.”

“Me too…” He scoots his foot across the ground, staring at them like they have all the answers.

“You should ask for her number.”

“What? You think I should? But I asked you out.”

Poor, confused Bear. “You should. Cordelia is really nice—” I barely stop myself from emphasizing the nice. “—and you two clearly get along.”

“You aren’t hurt?”

“Not in the least.” I set my hand on his arm to reassure him. He’s got some serious muscle with all that bulk.

“You asked Peaches out!”

All The Kisses!

Dylan

Bear turns to me, for the first time since he saw Cordelia, aghast. “You’re Peaches?”

That’s technically not my name, but what am I supposed to say? I shrug.

“I didn’t know. There’s no way I would have asked her out if I knew she was Peaches.”

Rude. It’s not like Rogue and I were anything to each other.

“Don’t worry. She isn’t even worth the effort to get angry.” Rogue turns around and walks away.

WHAT? He didn’t just say what I think he did. Not worth the effort! How dare he say that?

Don’t go after him.

A woman with any kind of self-esteem wouldn’t chase a man who just said something like that.

But Rogue can’t get away with telling me I’m not worth it. Someone should flay him alive for that. And I’m just the woman to do it.

But only if I chase him down.

He’s moving pretty fast.

You know what? Rogue doesn’t get to say that and leave. I chase after him without a word to Bear, who I’m not sure I like as much anymore. What man just tosses away a woman becauseshe kissed someone else—I mean, they were good kisses…great kisses even—but still, where’s his loyalty?

What am I going to say to him?

I can date anyone I want, because I’m not in a relationship with him or with anyone.

How dare you kiss me and run away?

Why didn’t you show up? It broke my heart sitting there waiting for you.

Not that. Definitely not that. I sound so pathetic.

Right now, I need to be strong. Mean even.

My side starts to burn. This is why cardio isn’t my thing. It hurts.

I, Dylan Oliva, have other choices—though Bear isn’t one of them, and I kinda hope Cordelia doesn’t give him her number—but here I am running, sorta, after a man that doesn’t think I’m worth the effort.