Guarding a Fragile Hope

VANESSA

"I don't want to seem inconsiderate," I said quietly into the phone, twisting the fringe of my throw blanket between my fingers. "It's just that..."

"Too much too soon?" Roman suggested, his voice gentle with understanding.

I sighed, staring at the ceiling of my living room. "Maybe."

"Vanessa, it's okay. You can just say no." His tone was even, but I heard the slight dip of disappointment.

"It's not that I don't want to," I tried to explain. "Being your date sounds wonderful. It's just that Leo's wedding is such a public event. Every pack leader within five states will be there."

"And showing up together would make a statement," Roman finished my thought.

"Exactly." I pulled my knees closer to my chest, phone pressed to my ear. "I'm just not sure we're ready for that kind of statement yet."

The line went quiet for a moment. I could almost see him nodding, processing my words with that thoughtful expression he wore when considering something important.