Page 48 of Big Bad Single Wolf Dad

This entire time I wasn’t sure if what we had was real, but if I want my dream of love to come true, then shouldn’t I at least try to make it real? Lisa’s advice about communication rings through my head, and in a moment of epiphany, I realize how right she was. I can’t have any idea about where this is going, without being honest with myself, and Greg.

And that means I need to address some of my insecurities before we can go any further. I begin by clearing my throat, which startles Greg, despite his intense stare. The move is reminiscent of a startled cocker spaniel, and I have to suppress the urge to giggle at the comparison.

“For starters, I want to say that the time we’ve spent with you and your family is amazing,” I begin. “In the short time that we’ve known each other, you’ve taken care of my family in ways I could have never imagined, and getting to know all of you has been wonderful. I’ve been going at it alone for so long that it seems I neglected parts of their heritage that have an impact on their personalities and upbringing.”

“I think you’re an incredible mother,” Greg tells me earnestly and sincerely. Then he cracks a playful grin. “But if it makes you feel better, I hear that to err is only human.”

“Oh, haha,” I retort sarcastically, but I can’t help smirking. Then we’re really smiling at each other, and I just can’t help it. I reach over the ball track and give him a quick peck on the lips.

If I caught him off-guard before, now I’ve positively shocked him with my spontaneous show of affection. Using his surprise to my advantage, I continue. “Ever since I became a single mom, I’ve been afraid to open myself up like that to anyone, and wary of anyone’s intentions.”

“That’s understandable,” he replies sympathetically. “He was a fool to leave you, though.”

“Thank you for saying that. I don’t think you’re like my ex, and I won’t compare the two of you, but you have to understand why I’m cautious. When I realized you were seeing other women aside from me, it caused me to doubt everything between us,” I explain.

Greg narrows his eyes at me, brows knitting together. “Um, come again?”

“The other women you’ve been seeing,” I reply flatly. “I know about them and I get it, I really do. You’re powerful, rich, and attractive, and you can have any woman you want.

“But if you’re really serious about this, about us, then all the extracurricular dating has to stop. Our families are growing closer every day, so if we’re really going to make a commitment like this, then we need to be together exclusively,” I finish.

The handsome werewolf only looks at me in growing confusion. “I’m sorry, I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about. I mean, the exclusive thing, I’m totally on board with that, but what makes you think I’ve been seeing other women?”

Something seems to shift in my gut. Greg’s expression has been open and honest without fail, and that holds even as he looks at me, absolutely befuddled.

“Well, Eric said he’s seen you out with several other women since we’ve started seeing each other.”

“You mean the Eric you’ve been seeing behind my back?”

I shake my head, my gut twisting with embarrassment to realize we both got played. Or maybe we played ourselves. “No. I wasn’t seeing him. That’s the first thing you should understand. I was never interested in him, and he just wouldn’t take no for an answer. He kept calling and sending me flowers, but never once did I accept a date with him. Or want to.”

“You did?” There’s unabashed hope, and a little possessiveness coloring his tone. It shouldn’t warm me up from the inside, but it does.

Greg really does want me, and he wants us to work, maybe just as much as I do. Especially now that some of the strange puzzle pieces are starting to fit, and I’m realizing my fears of having nearly pushed Greg away for no reason are true.

“Of course! He definitely reminds me too much of Hunter, ick. Or maybe a slick, used-car salesman. So, you really haven’t been seeing anyone else?” I ask, sunlight starting to fill my heart. “I’m realizing that letting Eric convince me about your character was probably not the best move on my part.”

“Absolutely not. There’s no way. Even if work didn’t take up so much of my time, most of my free time these days is spent planning things for you and the kids. It’s not like coordinating multi-course lunch dates while at an amusement park is an easy task, for the record.”

This time I do laugh, unable to hold back. Joy fills every inch of my body, and excitement fills my veins. With such a simple explanation, Greg has cleared up so many of my worries and fears.

How foolish I’ve been, so caught up in my own doubts that I forgot how important open communication is. If I had just sat down with him days ago and asked him what was happening, this could have been cleared up so easily. Instead, I bottled everything up, and let my insecurities fester.

But also… “Eric is a jerk!” I exclaim, realizing the full extent of the vampire’s manipulation. I had my suspicions, but to learn that none of it was true, that he was low-down enough to lie from beginning to end, irks me.

“I definitely could tell you that,” Greg agrees. “He’s a complete ass.”

“Also a liar!” I add, not quite ready to let go of my righteous indignation.

“That seems like a pretty fair assessment,” he replies, scratching the back of his neck.

“How could he do that to us?” I rant, throwing my hands up.

Greg looks at me thoughtfully. “It seems typical of him, from what I can tell. But why didn’t you come to me about this before?”

I shrug. It all does seem ridiculous now, and I feel embarrassed at my lack of maturity. “Like I said, I was so afraid of having my heart broken again that I didn’t know what to do, or how to feel.”

“What about now? How do you feel now?” He looks over at me, pressing carefully.

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