Page 82 of Novice Girlfriend

I nodded but was glad when he let it go and we focused back on the task. I felt like I blinked and it was dinner, Clare bringing us up food because she was clearly worried more than it was time to eat.

I was glad to show her what we were working on and give her the answer even. Not for Bryan or Bernice, but so she knew.

“That’s really cool, Bev,” she said as she laid it all out.

“Yeah, but Charles allowed it knowing I was handicapped without the foundation,” I told her, Wyatt explaining more.

She mulled that over a bit but then shrugged. “Yeah, but he would have underestimated you no matter what. Fuck him. He didn’t understand any of it with that foundation. Get that foundation and go visit him in prison and show him how fast you caught up. Show him how amazing you are without cheating and burn those chains he put on you to his face.”

I blinked at her, knowing this obviously wasn’t about just me.

“Yeah, I want that too,” she admitted. “But my first step is repairing my bond with my familiar. Apologizing to her. The blanket has helped. Spending time with her and seeing how cute she really is. She tries so hard.”

“She does,” I told her. “She’s always on your side. Always, Clare. And she cries that you’re free.” I realized there was maybe something I shouldn’t say but then decided to anyways. “She doesn’t think Wes is good enough for you. She thinks he’s not affectionate enough of a suitor since he hasn’t even brought her birdseed or something fun.”

“That’s actually really cute,” Wyatt chuckled softly.

I winced. “It’s kind of my fault. She’s seen how I’m always giving Quinn berries and doesn’t understand the difference between priest and mate. Most of the familiars don’t. They just feel the bond between us, so now they think that’s how things are.” I gave Clare a soft look. “She wants the world for you and will work hard for your goals. You’re doing great.”

“Thanks.” She reached over and took my hand. “I’m so sorry I hit you. I really am.”

“I won’t say it’s okay because it’s not, but I forgive you.”

We ate and I listened as she told me about the final details of the new store in case I didn’t know them. I did, but she was so integral to it that I let her have that time. I thought she was this excited about all of her projects, but she said she’d never been so proud of one because she’d wanted to be a part of it, not feel forced like her life before.

That was amazing. It really was.

Wyatt was looking at us in a weird way while she talked and we both noticed. He kept glancing between us until we went quiet. “I have an idea and I’m not—I’m seeing something, but I’m not sure what I’m seeing. Are you guys game to try something?”

“If you have some sick sister fantasy, Derek, I will—” Clare started but stopped when I smacked her arm. She gave a half shrug when I looked at her but then winced when horror was on Wyatt’s face. “Sorry. What?”

Clearly, there were mixed feelings on both sides.

He seemed to shake off what she’d said and focused on me. “Remember how one of Taylor’s guys helped you with the skeins and your magic went into them? I want to try that with the familiar toys. But Clare. I think it has to be a blood tie for something like that.”

“Oh, you want us to try a Genetic Numinous Duplication?” I asked him. “That’s normally for blessings, but I guess it could work in this way. I’ve never read about it not succeeding because someone doesn’t have a familiar.”

“I have no idea what you just said,” Clare whispered.

“I do, but I didn’t know the term for it and I’m a fucking professor,” he mumbled. “How much have you been hiding from Mrs. Reid and me when we’re ‘teaching’ you?”

“Nothing,” I answered honestly. “It’s exactly like you were saying—everyone has been saying that I had all of these parts and pieces over here.” I gestured above my head to the right. “But I didn’t have the foundation pieces.” I gestured down at the floor to my left. “So I could connect them. I’m starting to.”

“That’s so fucking cool. Yeah, I want to do a genetic duping,” Clare said. “Worst-case we mess up some product?”

I thought back to my reading. “I don’t know. I think it was a barrier I read about? I think that’s how most estates have their founding barriers that the heads of the families take over and keep up.”

“I have no idea,” Wyatt drawled. “Just start simple. Is there a toy Clare knows how to make or can’t mess up?”

I nodded. “There’s no right answer for one.” I glanced at Clare and saw she was just as excited as I was, both of us going to my work area and gathering the right stuff.

“What do you remember reading?” Wyatt asked me.

“They passed things back and forth,” I muttered, looking at how we were set up. “I think it was a blessed stick or something that was like drawing the property line and they kept passing it back and forth.”

“Okay, then go with that. Hand each other items to use on the toys,” he suggested. “Clare, stay open to Bevin but don’t try to use your own magic. Go along for the ride basically.”

“Text Tracey,” I told him. “She knows the toys better than anyone.” I didn’t wait for him, too excited. “You’ve seen these. Your familiar has one now. It’s just a nesting toy for birds. Tie it and there’s no wrong answer.”