"Do you think they can fixit?"
I shook my head. "Communication failure is rampant there. Everyone is too hesitant to speak their truths, so they hold on and wait for someone else to do it. I find the whole thing...disturbing." I smiled as the memories came back. "But that isn't to say there isn't beauty. There is. A lot of it. There are places that are indescribable." I grinned at him. "And the food." I looked up at the ceiling. "The food isamazing."
"So that's where you discovered cheeseblintzes?"
"New York. They're very popularthere."
His gaze looked contemplative. "And thecupcakes?"
I laughed as I took another bite. "All me, I'mafraid."
"You're an interesting person, KatieHarper."
I tried to hide my blush by lifting my coffee mug, but the amusement in his eyes told me I wasunsuccessful.
"So tell me. Why aren't you datinganyone?"
Martin choked on his blintz. With watering eyes he glanced at me in surprise. "Me?"
Both my eyebrows rose. "You're the only one in thiskitchen."
He huffed out a laugh and tried to delay by sipping his coffee. Finally, he shrugged. "I guess I haven't found the rightperson."
"Have you tried?" Iasked.
He laughed again and sighed. "I'm content. It doesn't take a lot to make me happy. I have my tools, some friends, a good home andpeace."
"Do you ever long for anything more?" I noticed the flash of emotion in his eyes before he quickly coveredit.
"If you're asking if I want a wife and kids, the answer is more complicated than just yes and no. Anyone can have a family, but anyone can break it off." His dark gaze met mine. "When I find mine, I want it to be forever. I never want to worry whether or not I'm good enough, whether or not she will seek out someone she thinks is better. I want to know the only bed she wants to share is mine. The only children she wants to bear are mine. The only one she wants to fell asleep next to is me." He held my gaze as he slowly sipped his coffee. "I have yet to findthat."
I swallowed hard. "I used to want that," Iadmitted.
"You don'tanymore?"
"You make it soundeasy."
He barked out a laugh. "Sure, because I'm going to automatically know all of these things when I meet someone instead of suffering a crippling lack of self-confidence. You can never know what someone is thinking. What I said is what I really want, but I'm realistic to know it may not befeasible."
"I bet you've never been dumped," Igrumbled.
He snorted. "You'd bewrong."
I slowly lowered my mug. "Dotell."
He rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to speak, but the doorbell rang, interrupting what I could only imagine was a very juicy story. I growled under my breath, set my coffee down, and went to the front door. I peek out only to see a massive bunch offlowers.
Confused, I opened thedoor.
A werewolf, one of the Lupin pack if I wasn't mistaken, stood there, holding a massive bouquet of roses and lilies. "Can I helpyou?"
"Katie Harper?" the maninquired.
"Yes."
"I'd like to give youthese."
I took them from his outstretched hands and stared at his suspiciously eager, yet handsome face. "Thank you," I said slowly, waiting for him to tell me who they'refrom.
