Tangled

128 Ava: A Frank Discussion

“Flutters from here to here?” Lisa motions with her

hand, encompassing her entire abdomen up to just beneath her breasts.

I nod.

“And your face tingles from the sound of his voice?”

I nod again.

“Things sound sexual even when they’re not?”

I blush.

“Yes. You’ve officially moved into flirtation territory.” Lisa picks her burger up, taking a huge bite with a groan of appreciation. After swallowing, she points it in my general direction. “Congratulations. This is your first crush.” Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“Not my first crush,” I murmur. There had been a few kids in class… Kids who weren’t mean or cruel, and who didn’t laugh at me.

But they always ended up with other girls. We barely exchanged hellos, and I’d dreamed up scenarios between us. Of me leaving my pack to live a human

17:49

1/9

128 Ava: A Frank Discussion

life, of giving up my wolf heritage.

Silly daydreams.

“First real one, then,” she amends.

He’s trying, Selene admits, her begrudging tone making me laugh.

I’m not sure if she’ll ever approve of him.

ភ

+51

I take a bite of my burger, savoring the juicy flavor as I chew. The quiet peace of the apartment wraps around us, comforting and sweet. No hovering Kellan, no

constant surveillance… Just blessed solitude, broken only by the crinkling of wrappers and Lisa’s soft chewing across from me.

Kellan must have gotten orders from Lucas to give us more space. He dropped off our food earlier with barely a word before heading out to handle important beta duties. I’m not complaining. Having the apartment to ourselves is a rare luxury.

thoughts. “So, what was up with that bizarre text you got

the reminder sending a chill

17

A Frank Discussion

And then

slowly. “I

Sister Miriam said

her burger down, concern flashing across her face. “Okay, that’s creepy. Explain

a vampire, Selene murmurs

me to light a candle and say her name,

of it at the

about the candle.” Lisa bites her lip. “How concerned

text aside, I don’t feel like she’s

to harm me.”

her head up from her spot on the couch. It sounds

a good idea to

vampires are not

17:49

39

Ava: A Frank Discussion

to

Lisa, who pokes at

to her. What’s the worst that can

Get kidnapped again? Get turned into a vampire?”

that you’d be kidnapped again? There has to be a statistic saying how

about

by the contents of our conversation, so I take another bite of my burger. I’ve been starving lately, probably due to all

we tell Lucas and

hand as she watches me eat. “I know I

but if she’s going to be a danger to

to tell them? That she

17:40

A Frank

about my weird existence and possibly my powers that shouldn’t exist?” I shake my head. “No, I’m not ready for that. I

feel.”

won’t

enough; all the stares and whispers get to me, no matter how much I try to shrug them off. “We aren’t mated yet. I

unconvinced. “I don’t think that’s a great start to a long–term relationship. You should be able to rely on him, to tell him

I chew my food as slowly as I possibly can. She stares, unblinking, in my direction, waiting for me

sigh. “Okay. Yes. It’s probably unhealthy. But, Lise, I still don’t know if this is

brows arch. “Do you

“No.”

A

he hate you?”

“No.”

“Has he apologized?”

a faint. smile twitching my lips. “But I’m not sure if you can call breaking and entering part of an apology.”

Look, Ava. You know I love you. And you

think pushing Lucas away is what’s best, either. You’re going