Page 7 of This Mate Thing

"But we're on a date!"

"Does he know it's a date?Does he know you're gay?Is he gay?"

I'm frozen to the spot."What do you mean?"

"Only, I know he's your mate, and I don't doubt you when you say he is.I've never seen you this obsessed, and you haven't so much as looked at anyone since you first smelled him, but...he has a kid.Normally, that means he's been with a woman."

It's hard to breathe."He's mine.He has to...like men.He might be bi, but he can't be straight, Zahrah.He can't."

"Deep breaths.I'm not saying...Hell, I don't know what I'm saying, but he's human.Human shifter matings are rare, and humans don't feel the same pull we do.He doesn't know you're his.If he believes he's straight, asking him and his child over for dinner one night won't change how he sees himself.Maybe he thinks you mean it in a neighborly way."

A neighborly way?What's a neighborly way, and how do I avoid appearing as if it's what I'm doing?

"Do I tell him it's a date?"

"No!"

"No?"Why not?

"No, you need to play the long game here.You cannot be clingy, you hear me?Woo him with your cooking, it's an ace up your sleeve.Get him addicted to your food.Listen when he talks and get to know him.And don't forget the kid.No parent will want a partner who ignores their child."

I nod.She's right.I got carried away.I'll have him in my home tonight.It'll have to be enough for now."Okay, I hear you."

"Good.No kissing, and no showing your junk."

But what if..."If he--"

"No!He doesn't know you're his.You've been there for two months, and he's never initiated conversation.He doesn't want to see your dick tonight.You said he looked tired and heartbroken.Cock doesn't help those things."

I chuckle."It might."But she's right.Simon needs someone to take care of him tonight.

"Don't flirt."

"What?"No flirting?

"The kid will be there.You have to, I don't know, woo them both.It's not like picking someone up from a bar.Ask about what they do in their spare time, what their plans are for Christmas, try to find out where the kid's mother is, and so on."

"Fiiine."

"I have faith in you."

"No, you don't."

She chortles."No, but I'll be here to listen to you whine about it when you've fucked up."

"Thanks."

"Love you.Now impress him with your cooking skills."

We end the call, and I focus on making the best damn chicken pasta I've ever made.

* * * *

Chapter 4

Simon

My heart has almost managed to escape my ribcage by the time I ring Boris' doorbell.Yes, Boris.Boris Gifford, thirty-one, I Googled.