Page 23 of Rejected Broken Mate

She chewed on her lip. "I don't know. Is that a good idea considering our history?"

"Please," I said. "What's the worst that could happen? You fall back in love with me again?"

"Whoever said I fell in love with you before?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Fine," I said, taking a step towards her. "Don't fall back in love with me. But I should warn you, I'm ten times more amazing than I was before."

Her eyes stared at me, and she swallowed. Her voice shook. "I doubt that."

I leaned closer, my face just inches from hers. "Why don't you find out?"

I caught a whiff of her perfume, and it took everything in me not to grab her and hold her. She stared at me with those soft, caring eyes, and after a moment, her lip curled up slightly. "Fine. Let's see if you're as amazing as you say."

I felt my wolf growl, so desperate to be near her. If only she knew the things she did to me.

Chapter 9 - Laura

I stare at myself in the mirror, nervous. I took another deep breath in, staring at my outfit. I was wearing a tight red dress that looked good with my hair, which I had let fall in loose curls.

I grabbed my hoop earrings and started sliding them on. "Michael, did you finish your homework? Do you have anything you need me to sign before I leave?"

I could hear his feet on the stairs as he ran down. He paused as he saw me in the mirror we had hanging in the entryway. His mouth opened slightly, and he looked stunned.

"What?" I said, looking down at my outfit, wondering if it might not look good. "What’s wrong? Does this look bad?"

"I've never seen you wear that," he said, scratching his head. "Or look like this."

"Well…I bought some new work clothes and got myself a few outfits." I placed my hands together. "Do you not like this? Should I change?"

I suddenly felt I'd worn the wrong thing. But Michael quickly shook his head. "You look nice. But you said you were going to dinner."

"I am," I said, grabbing my other earring and putting it on. I'm going to dinner with someone from work." I didn't say the date. If I said it was a date, I knew my stomach would tense up, so I told myself Miles was taking me to dinner as a coworker.

I reached over, ruffling his hair. "I'll be home just a little after you've gone to bed."

As nervous as I was, I could tell he was as well. I'd never not put him to bed. I was always home when it was bedtime, so this was different.

"Lucas is going to watch you until I get home. He said he was going to bring a movie and that you guys could have some popcorn. Does that sound fun?"

He nodded.

"Good, now go shower quickly. And remember to scrub your scalp really well."

As Michael hurried upstairs, I heard footsteps coming up the sidewalk. I went and opened the door, finding Lucas and Miles coming up.

"Nice house," Lucas said. "It's cute."

"Thank you."

Miles looked at me, and his eyes widened slightly. I could see he wanted to say something but kept his mouth shut. His eyes, however, tracked my outfit. I had done the same taking in a nice pair of jeans and a pressed white button down. His buzz cut looked fresh and he looked mature in his outfit.

"So, where's Michael?" They both asked.

"Showering," I said, letting them step inside. "He had baseball today, so I made him shower. He's looking forward to a movie."

"Well, I brought a couple," he said, waving them.

"Kid-friendly, I hope." I grabbed my purse and slid my shoes on.

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