Chapter 226

**Chapter 0226**
**+25 BONUS**

“Yeah, I’m having a girl’s night with my best friend tonight,” she said. “I wanted to get something comfortable. Maybe some new PJs?”

Nan had plenty of pajamas and comfy clothes to wear tonight, but she needed a reason for why she was back so soon.

Becky nodded, unaware that Nan was not being truthful.

“I think I have just the thing,” Becky said, continuing the conversation.

“Here I am!” she said as she walked out from behind the counter. “We got some new pajamas in yesterday, so this is good timing.”

Lucky me… Nan thought to herself.

As she headed to the pajama section, Nan watched.

Becky was incredibly beautiful. She was the woman that Nan’s mate chose over her, and it made Nan’s heart ache with every beat.

When Becky came back wearing a cute pajama set, Nan forced a smile. She hardly even looked at the pajamas.

Becky held up the item in her hands.

“It’s perfect,” she said absentmindedly.

“Do you want to try it on?” Becky asked, raising her hands in excitement.

“No, that’s okay. I’m sure they’ll fit just fine,” Nan replied, gently nibbling on her snack.

Becky laughed as she walked back to the counter.

“Well, okay then,” she said, glancing over her shoulder.

“So…” Nan began, following her to the counter. “How was your date the other night?”

Becky shrugged. “The date itself was fine. He was such a gentleman,” she said. “I thought he might invite me to his place, but he didn’t. He just dropped me off at home and kissed my cheek.”

Nan felt a tightness in her chest. The thought of his lips on her skin made her stomach turn. She had to swallow hard to keep from getting sick.

“But he’s been a little distracted lately,” Becky said.

“Something’s been on his mind,” she said. “We’ve seen each other a few times since that day, and it’s always the same. It’s clear he isn’t telling me something. I think there might be someone else.”

Nan frowned.

“Someone else?” she asked, raising her eyebrows. Could his mate really have another woman in his life? Who was this guy? She thought about asking for his name but hesitated, unsure of what to say next.

She thought it might be better not to know. At least for now. If she knew his name, it would make everything feel more real, and she wasn’t ready for that yet.

“Yeah,” she said.

She frowned as she got lost in her thoughts. “He seems distracted when we hang out. He keeps staring at his phone. And when I try to get his attention, he just brushes me off.” She sighed, feeling frustrated. “He hasn’t noticed me at all.”

“He’s never even kissed my lips,” she thought. “It’s always just a kiss on the cheek.”

“Did you ask him who he was talking to?” Nan asked.

Becky nodded.

“He said it was just a friend,” she replied. “I don’t know if I believe him.”

“I believed him,” she said.

“Oh… I’m sorry to hear that,” Nan replied.

Becky shrugged casually. “It’s all part of the dating scene,” she said. “It’s not like he’s my mate or anything.”

“I can handle anything. I’ll survive,” Becky said confidently.

“So, are you going to try to make it work with him… or…?” Nan asked, wanting to know more. She pressed for details as she listened to Becky, who was in her pajamas and just finished calculating the total for something.

Nan was curious about what Becky was planning, and she hoped for more insight into the situation.

Becky dug through her purse, her fingers shaking as she waited for a response.

“I don’t think so,” she finally said. “I mean, maybe if we had more of a connection. But I honestly think it’s just…”

I was feeling a bit confused about things. At least, that’s how it seemed to me. I really wanted to connect with him, but he hardly seemed interested. In fact, he could barely touch me, which made me wonder if he was even attracted to me at all.

Still, he asked me out again for tonight, but I decided to decline his invitation.

“Maybe it’s better if we just stay friends, you know what I mean?”

Nan nodded as she finally found her wallet. She pulled out her credit card and handed it to Becky.

After Becky charged Nan for the pajamas, she set them aside.

She handed Nan her card back and gave her a polite smile.