Page 26 of Watch Me Burn
“It’s just a fundraising gala, Maren.”
“Who knows where it will lead?” She mock pouts. “I just want to be the maid of honor at a fancy billionaire wedding someday. That’s not too much to ask, is it? My picture in People magazine, my best friend swept off her feet by a guy who worships—”
“Okay, pump the brakes. You’re getting way ahead of yourself. It’s only our second date.”
“Don’t ruin my billionaire fantasy wedding, Lu. I’m living vicariously through you here. Let me have this.”
She shifts her attention to the foxes, and the playfulness drops from her expression.
“Now what are we doing about Mama?”
I study the injured fox inside the cage, where she’s still grooming her babies. “Prep the OR. That wire has to come out of her leg.”
“Think she’ll lose it?”
“Probably. But I won’t know for sure until I get her under and can assess the full extent of the damage.”
Maren grabs the cage, lifting it with care, and heads for the door.
“Can Tate watch the surgery? He’s been dying to observe.”
I follow her toward the surgical suite, my mind already running through the procedure.
“Yeah, that’s fine. Tell him to put the phones on voicemail and scrub up.”
She sets the cage down on the prep table and heads toward the lobby, a wicked grin spreading across her face.
“Hey, Tate! Guess what? You owe me that dinner!”
His enthusiastic reply makes me smile and chuckle. She knew I’d let him watch. She just conned him into betting on it first.
My thoughts drift to Saturday night as I prepare the anesthesia. If only I could just focus on Damien and the normal, uncomplicated relationship he’s offering.
As much as I’m looking forward to the gala, to wearing a beautiful dress and pretending to be someone sophisticated and put-together, there’s a part of me that’s already aching for what comes after. For the party to end. For the dress to come off. For my wolf to come to me.
I’m falling for a man who won’t let me see his face. A man who only comes to me in shadows. And I hate myself for wanting him more than the one who stands in the light.
Damien can offer me everything—dinners, dates, conversations over wine, the possibility of a real future. He’s handsome and successful and kind, and he wants to be seen with me in public. He wants to take me to fancy events and introduce me to his friends, but when I close my eyes, it’s not Damien’s hands I imagine on my body. It’s not his voice that makes my skin tingle with anticipation. If only I could choose between the man who could offer me everything and the one who offers me nothing but stolen moments in the dark.
But my heart, stubborn and foolish as it is, seems to have already made its choice. And I have no idea what to do about it.
I lean back in my chair, massaging my temples, unable to stare at the numbers on the computer screen for another minute. Flower and Honey, two of our permanent resident rabbits, keep me company, hanging out in the wicker bed on the corner of my desk. They twitch their noses at me as if sensing my frustration with the pile of invoices, payroll sheets, and new grant applications that never seems to shrink. But my nonprofit sanctuary needs all the grant money I can get my hands on.
I look up at the knock on my door as it opens, and Jenny bursts through, bouncing on her toes with excitement. She’s carrying a long blue florist box tied with an elegant black ribbon.
“Special delivery!” She sets the box down on the only clear space left on my desk, jostling Honey, who thumps her hind leg in protest. “Sorry, lady.”
I eye the box. “I didn’t order anything.”
“It’s not from you, silly. Someone sent themtoyou.” Jenny can barely contain her grin as she sits in the chair opposite my desk. “I’m betting they’re from a certain handsome billionaire who’s taking you to that gala on Saturday.”
“How do you know about that?”
“Maren.”
Of course.
“He’s kinda old, but the man is seriously hot, Luna.” She fans herself, and it reminds me of my best friend, who can’t keep her mouth shut.
