Page 7 of Saved By the Grizzly Bear

“Only child. My parents passed away a few years ago though.”

“I’m so sorry, Alec.”

“Thanks.”

We’re silent for a moment and then the waiter is back with our drinks. I take a sip of my beer and watch as Morgan grabs her martini and downs half of it in one gulp.

Something is clearly bothering her, so I set my beer down.

“Is everything alright?” I ask her, and she takes another big gulp of her drink.

“This is going to sound crazy,” she starts, and my eyebrows raise.

Is she going to tell me that she can feel this thing between us too? Can she tell that we’re meant to be together?

My bear and I are both on edge as we wait for her to go on.

“This is going to sound so crazy,” she repeats, “But… will you marry me?”

My mouth drops open as my bear roars in victory inside of me.

“Yes,” I blurt, and she blinks.

I’m in shock. I thought that winning my mate over would be harder than this. Not that I’m complaining, but still. This feels too easy.

So, what’s going on here?

THREE

Morgan

He said yes.

He said yes to my crazy plan.

I’m kind of shocked and weirdly flattered by that. I mean, I can’t deny that I’m attracted to Alec. I’d have to be dead to not be. I mean, the man is drop dead gorgeous and he seems like such a sweetheart. I could tell that he was a good man from the moment he stopped me from slamming into his chest. He was so gentle with me.

I think that my crush on him started the moment he saved me from careening on my skis all the way into town. The more that I’m around him, the deeper my crush on him goes.

When I came up with this crazy plan, I kind of figured I would come to my senses or not be able to find anyone to ask, but then I met Alec.

And he said yes.

I need to get this conversation back on track.

“It would be fake, obviously,” I rush to add, and he looks like I just slapped him.

“Obviously?” He asks, and I swallow hard.

“I mean, no one gets married at first sight like that, right?” I ask, a nervous laugh passing over my lips.

“Right,” he says, but his voice sounds almost disappointed.

“It’s my parents,” I rush to explain.

“They’re making you get fake married?”

“No, they want me to get married for real… to one of their friends. I just, I can’t do it,” I admit.

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