Page 20 of Bria and the Tiger

“So, did you make arrangements for your next heat cycle?” Kat took a bite of soup before wrinkling her nose and adding some salt to it.

“No. I mean, he told me how it worked, and we looked at each other’s medical records, but I told him I couldn’t do it.”

“What?” Kat stopped sprinkling salt into her soup. “Why would you do that? You already know how good he is in bed, this was the perfect solution.”

“I can’t do it,” Bria whispered. “I – I just can’t. I’m not the type of person to sleep with someone when it doesn’t mean anything. I want a boyfriend, not a fuck buddy. I totally humiliated myself by asking Jace if he was available in between heat cycles. I don’t even know why I said it. It just popped out, you know?”

“Oh, Bria,” Kat said.

“He made it clear in no uncertain terms that he was only interested in me during my heat cycle. He said he doesn’t do ‘conventional’ relationships. It was so embarrassing. I don’t even know him and I was acting like we were on a first date or something. Oh God.”

She buried her face in her hands as Kat reached across the table and squeezed her shoulder. “I’m sorry. I should never have convinced you to try this method.”

“It’s not your fault. You were trying to help me, and I appreciate it.”

They sat silently for a few minutes before Kat said, “So, now what are you going to do?”

“I have two job interviews this week. I’m going to concentrate on finding employment, so I don’t have to move in with my parents. Then I’m going to download the “Shifter Love” app and try online dating. I have almost a month until my next heat cycle. I can find a boyfriend before then.”

“What if you don’t?”

“I’ll just have to get it through it on my own,” Bria said.

“You couldn’t before. You really want to end up at some club trying to bang a random shifter again?”

Bria winced. “I’ll handcuff myself to the bed if I have to.”

“Honey, I think you should at least considering asking Jace to help you.”

“Yeah, I know. I’ll give it a couple of weeks and if I haven’t found anyone by then, I’ll email Jace again.”

“Good,” Kat said. “Now, tell me about your job interview tomorrow.”

* * *

Bria studied the sign over the small brick building. “Shepherd Real Estate” was written across the white sign in bold, black letters. She stepped out of her car, smoothed her skirt down and walked confidently toward the building. She had pooched the interview yesterday. Even a full twenty-four hours after her meeting with Jace, she was still shaken by it and it had shown in the interview. She was determined not to mess this one up. Forgetting that she was running out of money, she needed to get some of her confidence back by acing this interview.

She stepped into the cool interior of the building. The front desk was empty, but a woman was already walking into reception from the hallway. “Ms. Norsen?”

“Yes,” Bria smiled at her as she came hurrying over.

“Hi, I’m Rosalie. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too.”

“Can I get you a cup of coffee or glass of water?” Rosalie asked as the phone rang.

“Water would be good, thank you.”

“Okay, just have a seat. Mr. Shepherd is running a bit late, but I’ll let Betty know you’re here.”

She answered the phone as Bria sat down in one of the high-quality leather chairs that were placed in the reception area. The place was nice, decorated with modern, high-end furnishings, and she studied the art on the walls. Rosalie hung up the phone and punched another button.

“Betty? Ms. Norsen’s here for her interview.”

She listened for a moment and then hung up the phone. “You’ll be meeting with Betty - she’s our HR person - and Mr. Shepherd. Mr. Shepherd is on his way but there’s no point in waiting. Follow me, please.”

Rosalie headed toward a hallway to the left of the reception area. Bria followed the chubby brunette down the hall until she stopped in front of a glass door. It was a small boardroom with a long table taking up most of the space. A thin, gray-haired woman sat at one end.

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