Page 31 of The Bear's Second Chance Mate
“He is,” June agreed, taking a sip of her coffee. “He’s been asking when we can come back.”
Tell her any time,his bear pressed.Tell her we want to see them every day. For the rest of our lives.
“He’s welcome anytime,” Stanley said instead, tempering his enthusiasm. “Both of you are.”
June nodded, her gaze dropping to her coffee. “That’s kind of you.”
The conversation lapsed into silence. Not the comfortable kind they’d shared at the pet store, but something heavier, laden with unspoken words.
Say something,his bear persisted.Ask her what’s wrong. What’s changed.
I can’t just demand to know what she’s thinking,Stanley argued.That’s not how this works.
His bear huffed in frustration.Then talk about something else. Anything. Don’t just sit there!
“So,” June said as she placed her cup down, “you mentioned wanting to make the shop more sensory-friendly?”
And there it was, the reason he’d given for this meeting. Not the real reason, of course. He didn’t tell her about the way his heart ached to see her again. How she was his sun and his moon.
“Right,” Stanley said, clearing his throat. “I’ve been doing some research, but I thought you might have insights. About what works for Oli, what doesn’t.”
June nodded, her professional interest overriding whatever had made her so distant. “Well, lighting is important. Fluorescent lights can be overwhelming. They buzz and flicker in ways most people don’t notice, but for kids like Oli, it’s like a strobe light with sound.”
Stanley nodded, genuinely interested despite his bear’s impatience. “I’ve been thinking about switching to warm LEDs throughout the store.”
“That would help,” June said, and for the first time since she’d arrived, her voice carried a note of enthusiasm. “But you’ve already done so much.”
“You mean the quiet corner I set up for Oli?” Stanley asked, remembering the beanbag and books he’d arranged.
“Exactly like that,” June said, meeting his eyes properly for the first time. “That was...really thoughtful of you.”
His bear preened.See? She appreciates us.
Stanley felt a flicker of hope. “I want the store to be a place where everyone feels welcome. Especially kids who might not always find that elsewhere.”
Something in June’s expression shifted, the guardedness slipping just a fraction. “That’s...rare. Most places just expect kids to adapt, or leave.”
“That’s not fair to them,” Stanley said simply. “The world’s already loud enough.”
June studied him over the rim of her coffee mug, a small crease forming between her brows. “You really mean that, don’t you?”
“Of course,” Stanley said, confused by her surprise. “Why wouldn’t I?”
She shook her head slightly, a rueful smile tugging at her lips. “You’d be surprised how many people say the right things but don’t actually follow through.”
His bear bristled at the implication.We’re not like that. We keep our promises.
“I try to be straightforward,” Stanley said, meeting her gaze steadily. “What you see is what you get with me.”
Is it, though?his bear challenged.You’re hiding the most important part.
Stanley ignored the jab and took another sip of his coffee, waiting as June seemed to consider something, her fingers tapping lightly against her mug.
“Can I ask you something?” she finally said.
“Anything,” Stanley replied, perhaps too quickly.
June hesitated, then asked, “How did you get so good with animals? With understanding what they need?”
