Yet she felt none of that as she walked over. Yeah, Georgie had been doing what she could to get Luke’s attention, but it hadn’t worked. He was with Tarun, not her, and surprisingly, she almost felt bad for the pretty waitress.
Tarun, more than most, knew how it felt to want Luke. And she knew how it felt to think someone else had him.
Nodding to her as she came to a stop, she smiled, hoping it came off as friendly. “How are you doing?”
Georgie laughed, the sound bitter and devoid of humor. “Oh, you mean other than the fact that I was attacked two nights ago, twisted my ankle tonight as I was trying to flee a fire, and then watched the man I’ve wanted for years turn into a massive lion? Just peachy.”
Despite hearing her confirm that she wanted Luke, Tarun still felt compassion wash over her at the other woman’s words. “I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with so much.”
Squeezing her eyes shut, Georgie shook her head as she exhaled. “No, I’m sorry. None of this was your fault, and I don’t mean to take any of it out on you. Besides, it’s basically on par for my life.”
She moved to the bench and took a seat next to Georgie. “I’m sorry to hear that. I wish there was a magic wand I could wave to make things right for you, but there isn’t one. I’m here to listen if you need someone to talk to, though.”
Georgie looked at her, her green eyes bright in her soot stained face as she cocked her head. “You mean that, don’t you? Why are you being nice to me? I’ve been nothing but a bitch to you since you got here, and I tried to make you think there was more between me and Luke than there actually is. I wouldn’t be nice, if I was in your position.”
“I think you would. Despite our rather unfortunate interactions, I can tell you’re not a bad person. Besides,” she said with a teasing smile as she looked at her, “you might have tried to stop me and Luke from being together, but you didn’t succeed. I have no reason to hold a grudge.”
“He’s never wanted me. Not like that. Not even before you got here.” Georgie went silent for a moment, her brow furrowed in thought. “I’m not even sure I truly wanted him like that.”
She glanced at her in surprise. “What?”
Georgie sighed, looking toward Luke as she shrugged. “Luke was the first person I met after I moved here. He was really nice to me, and I haven’t known a lot of that in my life. I think I clung to him because of that. It wasn’t because I was truly attracted to him, much less in love with him. I used to try to force it, but I’m beginning to accept how things are. Besides, it’s probably a good thing I’m not really in love with him. I don’t think I could handle the whole lion thing. It doesn’t bother you?”
Arching an eyebrow, Tarun looked at her with a smile. “Nope. It’s nothing new to me.”
Sucking in a breath, Georgie stared at her with shock. “Oh, God, you’re one of them, aren’t you? A l-lion?”
“I’m a shifter, yes. But I’m not a lion. There are a lot of different species of us out there.”
“And just what are you?” she asked slowly.
“I’m a tiger.”
Georgie slumped down, covering her eyes with her hand. “Jesus. That’s not any better than a lion.”
“We’re really not much different than you. There’s nothing to be afraid of, Georgie.”
She snorted. “Nothing to be afraid of. Sure. Going by Luke’s size, chances are you turn into a huge animal of prey with paws the size of my head. But you’re just like me.”
Tarun laughed as the other woman rolled her eyes. “I mean yes, there are the obvious differences. But we’re still people with thoughts and feelings. And when we shift, we’re still us. We’re present, right there in the moment with our animal. We’re really not much different.”
“I’ll take your word for it. No offense, but for my sanity, I think I’ll just pretend y’all are nothing more than humans. As far as I’m concerned, shifters don’t exist.”
They fell quiet, an easy silence between them as the sun peaked over the horizon. And despite everything that happened, Tarun felt contentment settle into her being. She really liked this place. She even liked Georgie, now that she wasn’t trying to steal Luke away.
As for him… well, she really, really liked Luke. More than she’d expected she would. Maybe some of that was because they slept together—more than that, because she lost her virginity to him.
Either way, she wanted to stay and see where it led.
It’s not just because you slept with him, her tiger said, speaking inside her for the first time in a few hours. It’s because he’s our mate.
Tarun’s mouth popped open and she felt her eyes widen. Luke was her mate?
Well. Now all of it made sense.
Luke ran a weary hand through his hair, grimacing at the grimy feel of it, as he followed Blake and Noah around the side of the building. He and Noah had been talking when Blake asked him to come in the front door of the bar, so there they all were, trudging around the clubhouse.
“The only room that’s a total loss is Luke’s,” Blake said as they walked to the front door. “But I think we should rebuild the bedrooms on either side, as well. There’s smoke and water damage in those, and they’re not fit to sleep in.”