Page 32 of White Charms and Dark Secrets

As I open the front door to leave, I jolt from surprise as I see Darren standing with his fist held up, ready to knock. “Bad timing?” he pries, his eyebrows raising a little as he runs his eyes over me. Probably taking in the clothes I'm still wearing from earlier. I'd kept the outfit the same, other than throwing a coat on, left unzipped to show off the clothes underneath. Rhydian’s choices for me were a little more fitted than what I’d usually wear, and I have no doubt that Darren has noticed.

I'd considered changing, but after Rhydian left, I admitted to myself that I loved the outfit. I almost live in a uniform of all black; wearing green is unusual for me, wearing any colour is, but the top looks so good on, a change in my stance on wardrobe choices may become necessary.

“You could say that,” I hedge, stepping out of the door and shutting it behind me. I turn and lock it, trying to ignore how close he stands, but I can feel the warmth radiating off his body.

“We need to talk,” he declares as I turn back in his direction, sliding my keys into my coat pocket as I do.

“Not this again.” I sigh, slipping past him and rushing out onto the street.

“Okay, fine. We won't talk about this on one condition,” he counters, falling into pace with me.

“What?” I huff, shoving my cold hands into my coat pockets, feeling my house keys brushing against my left hand.

He grabs my arm, pulling me to a halt and spinning me to face him. “Go on a date with me. Just one more date. If you don't have fun, and you decide you don't want to be with me, I'll stop pushing. Just give me this chance so that I can prove to you that this can work. Thatwework.”

“Darren,” I start, sighing in exasperation, “I've already told you, me wanting you or enjoying your damn company right now isn't the problem. It's that I don't know if that'll always be the case, and I don't want to risk your long term happiness.” I glance around, making sure nobody pay us any attention, which I’m grateful they don’t. “I’m not a shifter, I can't promise you forever.”

“Committing to a relationship has nothing to do with what I am or what you are,” Darren retorts.

“I just mean that we’re not wired the same way.” I look away, struggling to maintain my resolve. It’s like putting a cookie in front of a child and telling it not to bite. The temptation he presents almost too much to resist.

“You need to give yourself more credit, Kayla. It's been over two years since we dated, and you still have feelings for me.We haven't even been together, and yet you still want to be with me.What makes you so convinced that if we actually gave this thing a try, that you'd change your mind?” he presses.

I fucking hate it when the person I'm arguing with goes and makes a good point.Damnit.Well, to make him stop using his damn logic on me, I could agree to go along with his stupid idea... It’s just one date, right? Then the tempting cookie will be off of the table.

“One last date, and when I don't change my mind, you'll stop bringing this up?” I check, wanting him to confirm that he'll stop this. My ability to resist only goes so far, but I can’t bear the thought of hurting him when the inevitable happens and I change my mind.

Love never lasts forever. It can't.

“If this date can't convince you that this can work if you'd only let it, I'll back off. I'll stop bringing it up. I'll leave the ball in your court,” he answers, his eyes seem to plead with me as he awaits my response.

“Fine then. One last date. When do you want to do this?” Already starting to walk down the road again as I ask. He couldn’t have stopped by at a worse time.

“Right now,” he answers, without skipping a beat.

“Now isn't really—

“Are you already trying to renege on our agreement, Kayla?” He steps in front of me, giving me a pointed look. He’s not going to let me out of this. He wants this date, and he wants it now.

“Fine, you win. Let's go,” I throw my hands up and mutter in defeat, trying to ignore how my stomach fills with fluttering butterflies at the idea of going on an actual date with him again.

I shove my guilt down, hoping it’ll stay buried, at least for a few hours. Kier will have to wait again, as it’s clear Darren won’t.

* * *

When he dragsme into bar, I can't deny that I'm shocked at his choice of date location. “Why are we here?” I question, my disbelief making me unable to keep the thought to myself as I tug off my coat.

“What do you mean, 'Why are we here?'” he asks, grinning at me with a smug expression as if I've fallen straight into his trap.

“Not that there's anything wrong with this place, but I thought with just one date to impress, you'd do something... different…something fancier,” I stammer, but still manage an honest reply.

I glance around, pressing my lips together once I realise how it could come across as rude to anyone listening. Luck seems on my side for once, I don't think anyone heard me. My eyes drop to the bracelet on my wrist, clearly doing its job. My bad luck can suck it.

“Like a fancy restaurant?” He raises an eyebrow at me in question.

“Yeah, something like that,” I mumble, feeling heat creep into my cheeks. I kick off about even coming on this date, and now I bitch about where he decides to take me. It's a wonder that he evenwantsto date me.

“Because you hate fancy restaurants and their child-sized portions. You think the food tastes bad and that they inflate their prices to ridiculous levels to give an illusion of exclusivity,” he responds, not even taking a minute to think about it.

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