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spreading rumors about her? I'd had inherited a lot of her features. I mean, I'd even noticed
tonight what a nice figure she had. She had a pretty face, too—for a nearly forty-year-old, I
mean. She'd probably been really, really good-looking when she was younger….
I sighed. I didn't want to think about that. If I did, I might have to reevaluate my relationship
with her—maybe even acknowledge my mother as a real person—and I already had too many
relationships stressing me. Lissa always worried me, even though she seemed to be okay for a
change. My so-called romance with Mason was in shambles. And then, of course, there was
Dimitri….
"We aren't fighting right now." I blurted out.
He gave me a sidelong look. "Do you want to fight?"
"No. I hate fighting with you. Verbally, I mean. I don't mind in the gym."
I thought I detected the hint of a smile. Always a half-smile for me. Rarely a full one. "I don't
like fighting with you either."
Sitting next to him there, I marveled at the warm and happy emotions springing up inside of
me. There was something about being around him that felt so good, that moved me in a way
Mason couldn't. You can't force love, I realized. It's there or it isn't. If it's not there, you've got
to be able to admit it. If it is there, you've got to do whatever it takes to protect the ones you
love.
The next words that came out of my mouth astonished me, both because they were completely
unselfish and because I actually meant them.
"You should take it."
He flinched. "What?"
"Tasha's offer. You should take her up on it. It's a really great chance."
I remembered my mom's words about being ready for children. I wasn't. Maybe she hadn't
been. But Tasha was. And I knew Dimitri was too. They got along really well. He could go be
her guardian, have some kids with her … it would be a good deal for both of them.