Hawking a Future Read Free Page B

on the crisp and well-dressed lettuce. The lemonade was almost as good.
    She cleaned her plate, drained her glass and got to her feet. The server came over and Hayley swiped her charm over the payment plate and she smiled brightly. “Thanks. Now, I am fortified for the rest of my day.”
    “Go get ‘em.” The server winked, and Hayley left with a swing in her step.
    She headed into the bar and settled down on a stool. Her senses did a sweep of the room, and she found Tovin on the dance floor with a young blonde woman with a lithe build that pricked Hayley in her ample curves.
    The only thing that got her confidence down was comparing herself to the lithe and lovely women that she worked with in every aspect of her life. Eventually, she had managed to tamp down the comparisons, but the lack of personal physical awareness might have taken her sexual urges with it. If she didn’t view herself as attractive, attention was amusing, not serious.
    Hayley rubbed her forehead in frustration as she was forced to analyse her situation. She had tried to work out her own issues before, but something had always come up. It seemed that since she was here, she might as well get in touch with her body for more than five minutes per night.
    “What can I get for you?” A perky, young woman with a black t-shirt and a bounce in her step came up to her.
    “Water with lemon and deep psychological insight into myself.”
    The woman paused and extended her hand. “Spike.”
    “Hayley.” She completed the handshake.
    “Well, Hayley, I will fix your drink, and then, we will discuss your issues.”
    “Oh goody. Free therapy.” Hayley winked.
    It took Spike less than three minutes before she was back in front of Hayley. “So, what is your issue?”
    “Disassociation with my body. I don’t see me as me. I am just a bunch of mental capabilities and emotions in a walking, talking case.”
    Spike leaned back and whistled. “Wow. That is a little worse than that shirt making you feel a little washed out. Do you know why?”
    “Foster homes. Staying back and away from people was the simplest way to fit in and protect myself at the same time.” She sipped at her water.
    Spike ran a towel over the counter. “Wow. Intense. I am good with minor stuff, but that is way above my experience. All I can say is as long as you know yourself, know what you are, you can reach out to others when are ready. You know how to observe them, so let them observe you. Let them see what and who you really are.”
    Hayley grimaced. “That is easier said than done.”
    “You have to try. In the Crossroads, it is a safe place. Let your impulses guide you and your instincts carry you through your social situations. Let your beast guide your actions.”
    Hayley nodded. “Thanks for your insight. I will apply it to my situation.”
    “I apologise for not giving better advice. For a standard shifter, I would recommend a day at the spa, but something tells me that it would not even come close to help you deal with the world you are in.”
    She sipped at her lemon water and looked at the men in the bar who were giving her friendly glances and intense looks. “No. I don’t think hiding is the best idea right now.”
    “Let your instincts guide you. Listen to them. Let them rule your actions. Nothing you do here will be carried to the human world, unless you find your mate. You are safe here.” Spike reached out and put her hand on Hayley’s.
    Hayley’s hand contracted on the wood of the bar, and she stared at the scratches that her nails had left. Her fingers were more claw-like and a darker shade of skin covered her familiar digits. She relaxed into the possibility of her beasts coming to the fore. If they were going to do it, this was definitely the place, even if the timing sucked.
     
    * * * *
     
    Tovin moved with the young woman who had come up to him with a flirtatious eye. He tried to keep his attention on her for politeness’ sake, but his gaze drifted