Page 101 of My Unexpected Mate

“She is an old friend,” he continued. “We did have something going on, but that is over now. You are the only one for me now, love.”

He grabbed my hand in his and kissed my knuckles. If I wasn’t sitting down, my knees would buckle.

“Please tell me you believe me,” he said when I didn’t say anything.

I nodded and smiled at him. “I do.”

He smiled brightly and kissed my cheek.

“A!” Annie yelled in my ear and startled me.

I was so preoccupied with Nick I didn’t even pay attention to her or Gabriel. Now I saw that Gabriel wasn’t even here. There was probably a situation he was dealing with.

I turned to her. “What?”

“I need to go to the bathroom. Go with me,” she yelled over the music.

I nodded and turned back to Nick. I leaned in and whispered in his ear.

“I am going to the bathroom with Annie.”

He frowned but nodded. “Come back right after.”

I nodded and stood up. Annie grabbed my hand and started pulling me toward the bathroom. There were a lot of people inside and it took us a while to get to the bathroom.

We walked inside and I breathed out in relief. I didn’t realize how much my ears hurt from the loud music. It is much quieter inside.

“Do you need to pee?” Annie asked me.

“No,” I shook my head. “I will wait for you here.”

She nodded and went to the stall.

I washed my hands and checked my minimal makeup in the mirror. I reapplied my lip gloss and smoothed my hair.

Annie came back and washed her hands before checking her makeup as well.

“Any cute guys?” I asked with a smile.

“Oh, Goddess, yes,” she chuckled. “I talked to one guy while you were busy killing the girls around Nick in your mind.”

She smirked and looked at me.

“You noticed?” I asked her.

“Of course, girl,” she said and rolled her eyes. “But you know that man has eyes only for you, right?”

“I don’t know,” I shrugged. “Some of those girls were really pretty. Especially that last one.”

She laughed. “None are prettier than you, A. Nick is crazy in love with you. Has been for a while now. Don’t forget, he knew you two were mates before you did.”

“I just wish I could give him what those girls can,” I said quietly and looked down at my feet.

Annie walked up to me and placed her hands on my shoulders. I looked up at her.

“You will be able to do that, Aria,” she said seriously. “Give it time. And start slow. I know it will be hard for you but try and trust him. He would never hurt you.”

“I know,” I said quietly.

---