Page 5 of Same One
Tabian straightened up and put his hands behind his head, looking around. Was this what a panic attack felt like? “I need a drink.”
“Alcoholic?” she guessed.
“What? No! A drink of water! I’m feeling lightheaded.”
“Oh!” She fumbled around in her oversized purse and handed him a water bottle that was half empty.
He downed it and crunched up the plastic bottle for good measure. He felt a little better now. Tabian set his backpack in the grass and took a seat on the curb, resting his elbows on his knees.
“Why did you follow me?” she asked as she took a seat next to him. “Seriously.”
“A lady in the coffee shop told me a cougar is someone who is attracted to a younger man. And I don’t know. I guess I wanted to find out if that meant you were attracted to me.”
She held his gaze for a three-count and then looked at the houses across the street. “No matter what age you are, I am not ready to date anyone. I want to find myself first.”
“Oof. Someone did a number on you if you lost yourself.”
“Yes, he did. And now I’m raising my stepson alone, and my focus is on him, and on me. You’re young. I wouldn’t want to drag a man through life when he doesn’t even know himself yet. I can’t mother another man.”
He was watching her pretty face when she formed those words. She looked startled all the sudden and cast a quick glance at him. “Not that we would even get past a first date and be serious. That’s not even what I meant. I’m sorry.” She puffed air out of her cheeks. “It’s been a while since I’ve talked to a man.”
“I thought I was a boy,” he said through a smile. He was starting to see the problem here. “How old are you?”
“That’s none of your business and it’s rude to ask a woman that.”
“How old?” he asked again.
“Thirty. Plus six.”
“So, thirty-six.”
“Yes.”
“Cool, I’m—”
“Don’t tell me!”
“I’m thirty-one,” he said.
Tru’s mouth fell open, and then she clacked it closed in confusion. “You’re thirty-one. I thought you were twenty-five or something.”
“Werewolves age differently than the balding beer-gutted fucks you’re probably used to dating.”
“That was very harsh, and judgmental on humans, and also, I haven’t dated much.”
“Cool, so a five year difference. That ain’t bad. Want to fuck or not?”
“W-what?”
“Just kidding,” he said through a teasing grin.
Obviously flustered, Tru stood and dusted off the seat of her jeans. There was still a dead leaf hanging on for dear life to herpocket, so smoothly, he reached up and patted it off her butt. God, she was hot.
She gasped and hugged her purse again. “I don’t even know if I’m supposed to talk to you.”
“Who is stopping you?”
“I think just…just…me?”
