Page 22 of Bearly Believable Romance

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, honey bear. I’m sure.”

They bantered back and forth, trading quips and laughter like a real couple. It was easy and effortless in a way that made Tabitha ache. They made plans for brunch the next morning, a promise of shared meals and stolen glances across the table.

As the conversation lulled, Bram’s voice took on a mischievous lilt, a shift in tone that made Tabitha’s pulse quicken. “So, what are you wearing?”

Tabitha rolled her eyes, a grin tugging at her lips despite herself. She could practically see the waggle of his eyebrows, the playful glint in his gaze. “Clothes,” she replied dryly, fighting back the laughter that bubbled up in her throat.

“Mms, sounds sexy.” Bram’s voice dropped an octave, a rumble that sent shivers dancing down her spine. “You know, I’ve always found a well-dressed woman incredibly attractive. The mystery, the allure...”

“Oh, really?” Tabitha arched a brow, playing along. “Well, I’ll have you know, I’m wearing a particularly fetching pair of jeans today. Very alluring.”

“Jeans, you say? Be still, my beating heart.” Bram clutched at his chest dramatically, the sound effect coming through the phone in a burst of static.

Their laughter mingled. For a moment, Tabitha allowed herself to bask in the comfort of their connection, the ease and joy of it all. She could almost forget the weight of the secrets she carried, the burden of the truth waiting to be uncovered.

“Bram, you’re very distracting.”

“Yeah, baby. Talk dirty to me.”

She snorted a laugh. “I’ll talk to you later.”

But as the call ended, reality settled back in like a shroud. The dial tone echoed in her ear, a stark reminder of the distance between them.

She had to remind herself, once again, that their relationship was make-believe. A carefully crafted illusion designed to fool the world. But with each passing day, each shared laugh and tender moment, the lines blurred. The longing in her heart grew, a yearning for something real, something true.

But even as she walked, Bram’s laughter echoed in her mind, a bittersweet reminder of the joy she couldn’t allow herself to claim.

With dusk painting the sky in hues of amber and violet, Tabitha ventured into the woods. The map guided her steps, ancient trees standing sentinel as she wove her way deeper into the forest’s heart.

There, in a small clearing, she found it. An old altar, overgrown with vines and moss, pulsing with an energy that made her skin tingle. This was a place of power steeped in history and secrets.

Tentatively, Tabitha placed her hand on the weathered stone. The world spun, colors bleeding together as a vision overtook her senses. Fragments of the past danced before her eyes—her grandmother, much younger, cradling two infants in her arms. Twins. One radiant with light, the other shrouded in darkness.

The vision shifted, scenes playing out in rapid succession. A family torn asunder, a child lost, a secret buried. Tabitha gasped, stumbling back from the altar. Her heart raced, pieces of the puzzle clicking into place with sickening clarity.

She had a sibling. A twin. And somehow, that truth had been hidden from her all these years.

TWELVE

Bram’s mind wandered as he went through the motions of managing the brewery, his thoughts persistently drifting to Tabitha and her quest to uncover her family’s secrets. The clinking of glasses and the hum of conversation faded into the background, overshadowed by his growing concern for her well-being and his own conflicted emotions.

As he was wiping down the bar, lost in thought, a familiar voice jolted him back to the present. “Hey, cuz, you look like you’re a million miles away.” Bram looked up to see his cousin Chris leaning against the bar, a knowing grin on his face.

“Just got a lot on my mind,” Bram replied, tossing the rag aside.

Chris’s expression softened. “I can see that. Listen, why don’t you let me handle things here for a bit? Seems like you might have other priorities right now.”

Bram hesitated, his sense of duty warring with his desire to find Tabitha. “I don’t know, Chris. I can’t just leave you to handle everything.”

“Nonsense,” Chris waved off his concern. “Family looks out for each other. Go on, I’ve got this.”

With a grateful nod, Bram untied his apron and headed for the door. “Thanks, Chris. I owe you one.”

The crisp autumn air greeted him as he stepped outside, his mind already charting the path to Tabitha’s house. But as he turned the corner, a glimpse of familiar blonde hair caught his eye. Tabitha was walking briskly, her head down staring at a piece of yellowed paper in her hands. Bram’s brows furrowed as he watched her turn toward the woods, her steps purposeful.

Concern and curiosity propelled him forward, his shifter instincts urging him to follow her to ensure her safety. He moved quietly, tracking her through the forest with practiced ease. The scent of fallen leaves and rich earth filled his nostrils, but beneath it all, he could detect the subtle, enchanting aroma that was uniquely Tabitha.

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