Page 26 of The Bear's Second Chance Mate
Stanley took another sip of wine, gathering his thoughts. “Her name is June. June Draper. She’s...she’s beautiful, Mom. Not just in how she looks, but in how she is with Oli. He’s nine, and he sees the world differently. He’s got sensory processing issues, and she’s just...she’s so patient with him. So understanding.”
“And the boy?” Hugo asked gently.
“Oli’s amazing,” Stanley said, surprised by the rush of protectiveness he felt. “Smart. Observant. He loves animals. You should have seen him with Herbert. It was like they understood each other.”
“Sounds like someone else I know,” Leanne said with a fond smile.
Stanley ducked his head, feeling warmth creep up his neck. “Yeah, well... It felt right, being with them. Like they belonged in my life.” He traced the rim of his glass. “But also impossible.”
“Impossible?” Hugo’s brows furrowed.
“She doesn’t know what I am,” Stanley confessed, his voice thick with emotion. “She’s been hurt. I can see it in how careful she is, how she watches Oli like she’s waiting for something togo wrong. And Oli...he needs someone who won’t disappear on him.”
His bear growled in protest deep inside.We would never leave them. Never.
“What if I’m not enough?” Stanley continued, the words catching in his throat. “What if I tell her everything and she just...runs?”
Hugo set his glass down, his expression serious. “Being a mate isn’t about perfection, son. It’s about showing up. Every day. Especially when it’s hard.”
“Your father’s right,” Leanne said, reaching across to squeeze Stanley’s hand. “The bond brought you together for a reason. But that’s just the beginning. The rest is choice. Choosing each other, again and again.”
Stanley nodded, feeling the knot in his chest loosen slightly. The doubt was still there, but it felt less crushing now.
Leanne sipped her wine. “Tell me, where are they staying? I’d love to meet them.”
“They’re staying with June’s aunt,” Stanley said, breaking off a piece of bread. “June mentioned they moved here for a fresh start.”
“Her aunt?” Hugo asked.
“Yeah, Barb Waverly.”
Hugo’s spoon paused halfway to his mouth. “Barb Waverly?”
At Stanley’s nod, Hugo chuckled softly, his eyes distant with memory. “Well, I’ll be. She used to be a friend of mine. We were close for a while. Then one day, she stopped coming by.”
Leanne tilted her head, an amused smile playing on her lips. “You were always clueless when someone had a crush on you, Hugo.”
“A crush?” Hugo looked genuinely surprised. “Barb?”
Leanne just shook her head, exchanging a knowing look with Stanley.
Stanley gave a tired smile, not thinking much of it, yet. But his bear shifted uneasily inside him.There’s a story there. One that might matter to us.
But for now, he wanted to enjoy this perfect moment. And the wine. And believe that things would work out. That one day he and June would be as in sync and as in love as his parents.
But then, he was already in love. He only hoped that June would one day reciprocate it.
She will,his bear assured him.She will.
Chapter Eight – June
The kitchen smelled of tomato sauce and garlic bread, but June barely tasted her dinner. She couldn’t stop watching Oli, whose fork remained suspended halfway to his mouth as he described Clive’s feeding ritual for the third time.
“And then his tongue just…” Oli’s hand shot out, fingers splayed, “…zap! The worm disappeared. Stanley says his tongue is sticky, so the bugs can’t escape.”
“It was amazing,” June agreed, propping her chin on her hand.
“Amazing,” Barb echoed, slicing into her garlic bread with exaggerated care. “Who knew bearded dragons were such refined diners?”
