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SHAWN:
“WHAT WAS THE decision?” Trance asked, jumping up from the bench in the gazebo.
“You’re to remain Leah’s sponsor.”
Trance released a deep exhalation, but immediately he looked worried. “Does Leah want me to be her sponsor?”
“That doesn’t matter,” Shawn said carefully. “She needs one. And Tempest will use their friendship to encourage her to open up more.”
Trance sat down. “Then Leah will tell her about her dreams.”
“Is that why she’s avoiding you?”
“Yes. But she doesn’t know that’s why.” He took another deep breath. “Her dreams were filled with pain and suffering. Years of abuse with that ex. It’s sent her into a frenzy—almost as if she doesn’t believe she’s worthy of being free.”
“That’s understandable,” Shawn said. “Why haven’t you shared with her that you’re privy to her dreams?”
“She won’t let me,” Trance practically snarled. “She refuses to talk about anything meaningful. She changes the subject expertly. When I press the matter, she avoids me. Like a punishment. And now, her dreaming has begun to affect her daily life. She’s not getting proper rest because she’s living a dual life—one while asleep and one while awake. Both lives are real in her mind.”
“You have to keep trying,” Shawn said. “I know it’s not easy. I just mated with Tempest and it took me two years. But patience is the key.”
“How can I be patient when I’m the one causing her stress?”
“I caused Tempest’s also, remember? My death fucked her up royally. Leah will work through it. You just have to be there for her. And be honest with her.”
“Honesty causes me to lose everyone around me.”
“Not true,” Shawn said. “I’m still here. Tempest is still here. You invaded both of our dreams.”
“But Leah may choose not to be.”
“I don’t think so,” Shawn said. “Especially because of the decision we reached in today’s meeting. You’ll be escorting Leah to the trial. Just you.”
“Does she know?”
Shawn shrugged. “Tempest is with her. She may or may not tell her.”
“So I’m to tell her about pulling her into my dreams? Even though she refuses to talk to me.”
“Yes. Just be patient. You’ll have your opportunity. It’s going to be just the two of you soon—and there’s nowhere for her to run.”
“Thanks, Shawn.” Trance looked down. “I don’t know what I’d do without you and Tempest.”
“We’re your friends, man. You’ll get used to that.”
SHAWN AND TRANCE WERE in the game room when Tempest left the cooking lesson. Shawn looked up at the same moment she entered, as if he was waiting for her. He clasped Trance on the shoulder and motioned for someone else to come replace him in their game.
She waited in the doorway until he reached her, and they left the game room. Taking her into his arms, he pulled her out into one of the seating areas. She laughed as he sat first and pulled her down onto his lap.
“Everything go okay with Leah?”
“A little better than I expected. She’s exhausted and fighting it every step of the way. She refuses to discuss what’s going on with Trance. She’s going to try and trust him, though. Treat him like the friend he’d become since she’d moved into his apartment.”
“Do you think something happened between them to make her wary? Maybe Trance pushed too hard?”
“I don’t think so. I think Leah’s just too wrapped up in her head. I think she’ll either explode or she’ll realize she’s safe and can finally relax.”
“Then maybe the trial will help reach that conclusion.”
“And maybe if Trance is with her when that happens she can finally see him as something more than a friend.”
She chewed her fingernail. What if Leah decided she never wanted to be involved with a male again? It would break Trance’s heart—and he was more sensitive than anyone else realized. It could do some permanent damage to him.
“Hey,” Shawn murmured, pulling her finger from her mouth. “Everything will be fine. You’re a good friend.”
She grinned. “I am rather nurturing. I keep telling everyone that.”
“I believe you.” His voice was soft, serious. “I’ve always believed it.”
She lowered her lips to his, planting one of her sweetest, most nurturing kisses on him.
