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everyone leaves.’”
    The small smile I recall from the night we met twitches on his face. “My car.”
    I turn on my heel, and when Brita drops her head and Jake glances away, I realize everyone witnessed my scene. Ginny tries to hide her smug grin. Wonderful. I grab my coat and put it on as I wait for Andre.
    When he’s ready, he says to Ginny, “I’ll drive her back to campus.”
    She says, “Perfect. Thanks.”
    Andre walks off without even glancing at me, and I follow. His steps are quick, and I scramble to keep up. Cold air blasts my cheeks when we get outside, and I return to my normal gait. That damn polar bear can just wait. Besides, maybe his car will be running and warming up by the time I get there.
    I watch him walk to an older-model Toyota truck, and he does turn it on before I get there. The door creaks loudly when I yank it open. I wish I were the kind of person who could remain silent and let him speak first, but I’m not, so I launch into what I planned to say before my seat belt clicks into place. “I’m sorry about last night. I never should have kissed you and given you the wrong idea.”
    Andre asks, “What is the right idea?”
    I wonder if he doesn’t understand the phrase, so I say, “I have plans for my future that include kids and—” I recall Ginny’s words earlier. You’re just like Mom. I sigh. “I can’t be a werebear, Andre. I won’t be that.”
    Andre’s jaw flexes, and he turns his attention to the truck to shift into drive. When we start moving, I say, “I’m sorry. I hope we can still be friends.”
    He says, “Friends.” Andre steps on the brake, and I jerk forward with the sudden stop. He turns his gaze toward me. “No, Vanessa. We’re meant to be mates. Nothing else.” He resumes driving.
    Mates? I gaze out the passenger window, and my heart aches as if a vice is tightening on it. I plug Eric into one of my favorite fantasies, and I envision him driving an SUV with me beside him. Children are in car seats behind us as we go to the club for some family event. Is that what I really want?
    I glance over at Andre quickly and wonder what the alternative would be. But all I can imagine is being in his arms, as if the rest doesn’t matter. I turn back to the window and trace a heart in the condensation. I know the grease from my finger means it will linger for days and reappear in the fog. I wonder how long it will take him to wash it away.

Chapter 8
    S ince I told Andre we couldn’t be together, my dreams came back and have become even more intense. It’s like I’m having a wild sexual affair with a guy who by day will barely talk to me. Although he does sing in my dreams. It’s the weirdest thing, but it’s like we’re writing his song in our sleep. I sigh as I wander the aisle at the mall. Music plays in my head. I didn’t know I was lost. Jake has invited the band over to his apartment for a holiday dinner and assigned everyone a secret Santa. Of course I got Andre, and now I’m sorting out what to give him for a gift.
    The sweet aroma of chocolate mixed with coffee floats toward me, and I stop at the small shop to get a hot drink to help me with a creative present idea. The holiday music is loud, and I hum along as I wait in line. I wonder if Andre is familiar with the tunes and smile when I recall playing music videos for him. My grin gets bigger when I realize I know just what to get him for Christmas. I sing another line in our song under my breath. You showed me the way.
    An hour later, I have a shiny, red package with a white bow. It contains a tablet so Andre can learn about the wonders of the Internet and play any song he wants with a few taps of his finger. I love this time of year. Seeing joy on people’s faces when you give them a special gift makes me happy, and I’m so excited about giving Andre my present, I don’t worry too much about the fact that he doesn’t like me very much right now. I sing another line to his song in my head