TEMPORARY MATES PERMANENT CRAVINGS novel Chapter 304

Three hundred and four

Isabella POV

My stomach tightened, like someone had reached in and twisted a knot around my ribs.

Walking into the office of someone who’d openly admitted she liked me would have been awkward enough under normal circumstances. I smoothed my skirt, trying to look as professional and unapproachable as possible.

I’d expected Anita’s office to look a little chaotic like her wardrobe. Instead, it was the complete opposite.

Nothing was out of order.

Anita wasn’t just a rich Alpha’s daughter playing at business. She ran the Trade Union, and it carried real responsibility, just like Emma’s and Wesley’s. Every member of the family managed part of the Alpha’s affairs.

“Come in.”

Anita looked up and smiled warmly.

It wasn’t the flirtatious smile I’d expected. It was friendly. That made me even more nervous.

She gestured toward the chair opposite her desk.

I sat.

“I know I’ve probably scared you with whatever this has looked like,” she said. “And I know it isn’t appropriate workplace behavior to force myself on anyone. Honestly, it isn’t appropriate anywhere.”

She rubbed the back of her neck.

“That’s why I wanted to take you out to lunch?”

I stared at her. Wasn’t that exactly what she’d just said she shouldn’t be doing?

“Thank you,” I said carefully, “but I can’t. I don’t want to send mixed signals.”

She smiled.

“The lunch wasn’t supposed to end with me asking you to be my girlfriend. But I want us to be friends.”

I still couldn’t understand what she’d seen in me that made me worth pursuing as a friend.

“I know I can’t force attraction,” she continued. “But when I look at you, I feel something. My wolf feels something too. I don’t know if I’d call it a bond. But it’s there. And it keeps getting stronger.”

I broke into a sweat despite the cool air.

The only bond I felt belonged to Wesley.

Her brother.

The one man who refused to acknowledge it.

Hearing Anita say it so casually left me reeling. She noticed the confused look on my face and smiled.

“I don’t mean it like that.” She waved a hand. “I just mean… you’re becoming someone important to me. That’s all. I wanted you to know that because I don’t want to take advantage of those feelings or make you uncomfortable.”

Then she reached into one of her drawers and placed a package on the desk.

“Anyway… this is for you.”

I opened it. Inside was a flyer, some merchandise, and two sleek VIP passes.

“I’m inviting you to come watch me DJ,” she said with a smile. “It’s at Deluxe Club.”

She pointed at the second card.

“That’s for whoever you’d like to bring.”

She remembered I’d made it clear I wasn’t interested in dating women and yet was giving me permission

to bring someone else.

The problem was I didn’t have anyone.

The only man I regularly talked to was Harrison, and I was fairly sure he liked me. Bringing him would only create a different kind of misunderstanding.

The VIP passes felt expensive in my hands. I turned them over before slipping them back into the envelope.

“I’ll be there.”

I managed a smile and she smiled back.

“I’ll be looking forward to that.”

“Thanks,” I said as Harrison helped me with my lunch tray. We carried our food to our usual table, saving Iris a seat.

“How do you get prettier every day?”

I rolled my eyes.

“Can I eat in peace?”

“I’m serious.” He pressed a hand to his chest. “You’re unfairly beautiful. That hourglass figure and those skirts you keep wearing… Do you wake up every morning and decide to ruin innocent men’s concentration?”

I laughed. Even when he flirted, he sounded more ridiculous than smooth.

I reached into my bag and slid one of the invitation cards across the table. He picked it up, still chewing, but the moment he saw the name printed across it, he nearly choked.

“Wait… Anita? The Anita?”

I nodded.

His eyes widened.

“I know she likes you, but she invited you to one of her gigs? Do you even know the kind of people who attend these events? Half the region’s rich kids fight over invitations, and she gives you VIP access?”

I shook my head and he turned the card over as though it might disappear.

“And you want me to go with you?”

“Of course. There are two tickets.”

“Why me?” T

I groaned.

“That’s a strange question. Aren’t we friends?”

He looked down at his plate, then smiled to himself.

“Friends… Yeah… we’re friends.”

Then he looked back at me.

“Sometimes I wish we were more than that.”

“I’ve got to run.”

“So soon?” Iris asked.

“My desk is drowning. I’ll see you later.”

The moment he left, the awkwardness grew. I stirred my drink while Iris ate her lunch.

“So…” she said at last.”You and Harrison. Are you two dating?”

Shoot.

Iris was trying to sound casual but it was clear she was serious. She’d stood up for me when everyone believed I’d stolen those documents. She deserved honesty.

I couldn’t help smiling.

“You like him.”

She looked away.

“Maybe.” Then she sighed. “I have for a while. If there’s something between you two… I’ll step back.”

“There isn’t. We’re… pretending.”

She frowned and I smiled apologetically.

“We’re only pretending to date so someone else gets the message.”

“Someone at work?”

I nodded.

She groaned dramatically.

“First Emerald. Now this. What is wrong with people?”

“I can handle it. I’ll tell you everything once it blows over.”

A grin spread across her face.

“Fine. But while you’re busy fake dating Harrison, could you accidentally let it slip that I like him?”

I laughed.

“I’ve been dropping hints for months, Isabella. The man notices everything except the woman standing right in front of him.”

I fell silent. Her words struck far closer to home than she realized. Maybe men really were that blind. Or maybe sometimes they only saw what they wanted to see.

“I’ll help where I can,” I said. “But if he doesn’t feel the same way, don’t waste your heart on someone itad and leat

who can’t return it. You’re far too kind for that.”

She smiled warmly.

“You’re such a sweetheart. I can’t wait until Luna Lisa comes back so your transfer ends.”

I looked down at my drink.

“I don’t think I want to go back. As long as she’s there… I don’t think it’s safe.”

“I guess that’s fair,” Iris said after a loud groan.