Page 119 of Blossom

“So, back to Lucas,” she says.

Anger seeps into me. “There’s nothing else to say about Lucas. He’s still a dick. I’m not sure how I ever developed feelings for him in the first place.”

“Innocence.” Brenda takes another sip. “Innocence is the biggest fault when you’re young and innocent.”

I wrinkle my forehead. “Uh…what the hell did you just say?”

“Hell, I don’t know. I’ve had a lot of wine.”

“Of course you’re young and innocent when you’re young and innocent,” I nearly snap. “I can’t believe you thought I would want to go back to that.”

“Ease up, Mare. That’s not what I said and you know it.”

I let out a breath. “Sorry. You’re right. I’m not angry with you. I’m pissed about Lucas, but mostly I’m upset about Ronan.”

Brenda takes another sip of wine. “Why isn’t Lucas teaching anymore? Why did he leave Mellville?”

“I don’t know, and I don’t care.”

“You mean you didn’t ask?”

“Hell, no, I didn’t ask. All I could think about was getting out of there. I certainly won’t be taking classes there.”

“I think it’s great that you want to finish your degree, though.”

“Yeah. I never gave it any thought until—” I cock my head.

“Until what?”

“Until…Ronan.” I inhale slowly and then let it out in a heavy sigh. “I don’t know why, but he makes me want to be a better version of myself.”

A slow grin spreads across Brenda’s face. “You are having feelings…”

I rub my forehead. “But I hardly know him. I was with Lucas for nearly two years before I developed feelings. They developed slowly. It doesn’t make any sense that I’m feeling this stuff when I’ve known Ronan for a mere week.”

“Love is a funny thing.”

“Who are you to talk? You and Dalton had been playing together for a year before you decided to act on the feelings developing between you.”

“True.” Brenda sets her glass of wine down and looks at me, her expression serious. “Love is different for everyone, Mary. Don’t fight it. You’re falling in love with the guy. Face it.”

I shake my head. “I can’t. I can’t go back there. I can’t go through what I went through with Lucas again.”

“Ronan isn’t Lucas.”

“Ronan is more of a Dominant than Lucas could ever hope to be. The man isn’t looking for a relationship. He’s made that clear.”

“Mary, if he isn’t looking for a relationship other than at the club, why is he demanding to meet you at your apartment?”

I take a long sip of wine.

Brenda makes a valid point. On the other hand—

“Because he’s a demanding motherfucker. He’s a Dominant.”

“Right. And you’re a submissive. At the club. In the bedroom. Not in real life.”

“No… And I never thought…”