Page 33 of Someone Else's Wolf

His toughness would be such an asset, his steely core of strength and determination. He didn't look intimidated at all by the timeline I'd laid out, the years of grinding pressure; he looked determined. The way his fists were clenched was not in helpless rage now.

Then, as if he was just realizing something, he gave me a surprised look. "You're really committed to this too, aren't you?"

My turn to be surprised. "I guess I am." I hadn't thought twice about the time frame. "You think I'm up to it?" I smiled, but it wasn't really a joke. I wasn't as tough as Kirk.

He gave me a rueful, kind look, reached over and gripped my shoulder. He gave me a rough shake. "Sure you are. I'll look after you, don't worry."

I reflected that that was both the opposite of how it was probably supposed to work, and was almost certainly the truth.

"Thanks." Then, to lighten the mood, to distract us both, I opened my arms. "Hug?"

He got away from me fast. That deer could move.

#

Everyone said graduation would be easier than what others in the program had to deal with, that we should be glad it wasn't such a formal affair, with the pomp and circumstance of standing at attention and being chosen from a lineup. We simply had to listen to a speech from some dignitary or other, clap dutifully, and walk up as partners to get our diplomas and shake our teachers' hands. Kirk said I didn't know how easy I had it.

"Oh? Would you make me stand in line and wait and wait?" I grinned at him.

Part of me could see him doing just that, reminding me that this washischoice. But I figured my partner was starting to have a real soft spot for me, and whatever he said, he'd never go out of his way to make me unhappy.

I wasn't about to broach that topic with him, however. It was certainly possible he'd feel the need to immediately prove me wrong and leave me hanging till I came to my senses. I'd rather not find out the hard way.

"That's not the point," he said with dignity. "It made them unhappy, and it was a stupid rule."

Trust him to show empathy when I didn't expect it. Generally, Kirk was prickly and grumpy and confrontational and irritable. He was no soft-hearted Bambi. But I trusted him; it was as simple as that.

I finally settled on, "If you say it's good that they changed it, then I agree." This clearly wasn't something to joke about.

Surprisingly, Peter sent me a text reeking of awkwardness and announced that he was planning to attend my graduation. After not having heard from him since his booty call, I was less than impressed — or at least I tried to be.

Despite my intentions, my heart leaped a little when I saw who'd texted me — and again when he said he would be there for graduation. It would be nice to see his stupid face again, that was all.

I debated how to answer his text. Maybe it would be better to let him wait a bit, then send a casual acknowledgment. After all, he'd made me wait long enough for a text, and I didn't want to seem eager.

On the other hand, that sounded like mind games, and I didn't think he was playing any with me. He just wasn't as into me as I was into him. Which was another good reason to hold off, mind games aside.

Besides, I really wasn't sure what to say.

A few minutes passed as I contemplated the perfect response. Then my phone rang. Peter calling.

"Hello?" I answered, feeling like an idiot. I should know what to say to him, but I didn't. I realized I was smiling, though.

"Did you get my text?" He sounded worried.

I resisted letting my eyes roll all the way back into my head. "Yes, I got your text."

"Oh. Good." He cleared his throat. "So, what sort of graduation present would your partner like?"

"What? We're supposed to buy presents?" Nobody had mentioned that. "I kind of thought getting to work with me was present enough."

He snorted. His laugh was strangely endearing. "From me. I don't want to show up empty-handed."

If he thought he'd win Kirk's approval by making nice, he was sadly mistaken. Although why he gave a shit, I couldn't guess.

"I don't know. I'm not sure it's really necessary."

Silence. Great. How was I supposed to fill it? I'd gone days wishing I could talk to him, and now I was, and there seemed to be nothing to say.