“Have you ever tried telling Lucy what to do before?”
I shook my head and said, “Good point. But come on, man. You need to do something about her. She can’t be distracting you like this all the time. I know you always want to be the good guy, but sometimes you have to put your foot down.”
He closed his eyes and nodded.
I continued, “And what about Jasmine? Is the only reason you’re honoring the mate bond because of her crazy family?”
He opened his eyes and said, “It’s not the only reason.”
But he didn’t seem confident when he said it. When I didn’t say anything, he continued, “At some point you have to grow up and do your duty. You realize playtime is over.”
“Is Jasmine a fucking duty to you?” I raised my voice at him.
“No!” His eyes were wide. “I mean, not completely. But there’s a part that is.”
I shook my head and said, “I can’t have this conversation anymore, Luke. Just figure it out. And Jasmine deserves better than to be someone’s fucking duty. I’m sure both she and her family would feel the same way.” My blood boiled as I walked out of the office, completely frustrated with Luke and how he was behaving toward Jasmine, knowing that I would never take my mate for granted like he was—especially if my mate were Jasmine.
Chapter 55
Jasmine
OnSaturdaymorning,Iarrived at work at seven thirty, right on time for the late shift. Valerie was inside working the register when I walked in. I quickly dropped all my things in the back and came out front to help her make drinks. After the rush was over, I grabbed the spray bottle and rag to wipe down all the tables and chairs.
When I made it back behind the counter, Valerie came out. She looked me up and down and asked, “How’s your leg? Are you okay?”
“It’s better, good as new,” I replied.
She then put both her hands on my shoulders, stared into my eyes, and said, “How are you?”
“I’m fine,” I replied, confused by the question. But she didn’t remove her hands.
“How are you taking the whole thing with Lucy? I know it can’t be easy to know your friend’s pregnant with your mate’s baby.”
I almost choked, feeling uncomfortable. “What have people been saying? What has Lucy been saying?”
She removed her hands from my shoulders and replied, “Well, people talk, but who cares what they say? And, Lucy, well, she obviously has her own spin on the situation that she’s happy to share with anyone who will listen. But that’s Lucy for you, and people know how Lucy is.”
I started to feel uneasy, considering what Lucy might be telling people. Did I want to know? Before I could think about the question more, I asked, “What’s Lucy saying? What’s her spin?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Valerie replied, clearly not wanting to tell me.
“Please, Valerie, tell me. I want to know,” I pleaded with her.
She looked at me and said, “It’s nothing that bad. It’s just nonsense that I think she tells herself to make herself feel better about the situation.”
“What kind of nonsense?”
She sighed and said, “Just stuff like how Luke truly loves her and wants a family with her, and that’s why the Moon Goddess blessed the two of them with a baby. So he would realize who he’s really supposed to be with.”
“Maybe she’s right.” I looked down at my feet, knowing deep within me that Lucy probably wasn’t wrong.
“Why would you say that?” Valerie raised her voice. I looked up at her. “You’re Luke’s mate. If the Moon Goddess truly wanted Luke to be with Lucy, don’t you think she would have mated him to her? Why are you doubting the bond the two of you have? He seemed very interested in you that day he came by to visit.”
“I think he’s interested“—I sighed—”But he doesn’t love me. He’s even admitted to me that he still loves Lucy several times.”
“Goddess! I mean, I love Lucy. She’s a bit exasperating and stubborn, but she also has a part of her that’s strong and loyal when it really comes down to it. She’s also beautiful. But seriously?” She shook her head.
“What, you can’t believe that Luke loves Lucy?” I asked.