For a few seconds, it seemed like she was going to shut down but then she sucked in a deep breath and licked her lips. She looked him in the eyes and began to speak. “Um … it all started out fine. An evening out. I didn’t even want to go. I can’t tell you how many times I wished we hadn’t …” She looked somewhere over his shoulder. “We were walking to the car after a dinner-date. It was a half a block on a well-lit street. It wasn’t all that late yet and it’s not like Sweetwater is a dangerous place to live. It’s a low crime area. It had only just turned nine. One minute we were walking and the next we had a gun in our faces. The guy was alone. He wore a ski-mask. I could see the fear in his eyes. His hands were shaking. He demanded we hand over our possessions. My rings, our watches, wallets. Instead of complying John retaliated.” He could see her disappear into her own mind. Her eyes clouded in thought and those thoughts didn’t appear to be pleasant.

“The guy insisted. The shaking got worse. I screamed to John to do as he said but he shook his head and told the guy to piss off. Next thing the weapon went off, his face exploded in a spray of blood.” She wiped away a tear. Her whole face had a look of horror. “I still hear the sound of the shot, still see the mangled mess that was left of John’s head.” She wiped away a couple more tears. “Our attacker went nuts. He kept on saying ‘Oh god! Oh god!’ Over and over. He dropped the gun and made a run for it. Turned out he was a petty thief who had done time before, his prints were on the gun. The guy, James Simons, said that it was an accident. He didn’t mean to shoot. He accidentally squeezed the trigger and …” She shrugged. “It being an accident won’t bring John back though.” She dug around in her bag and pulled out a wad of tissues.

Fuck! No wonder she suffered from panic attacks. He didn’t want to push. Winston kept quiet, waiting to see what else she was willing to divulge.

Ana blew her nose softly. “It affected me. For months I couldn’t even leave my house. It was two years of random panic attacks. I’d get them if someone jogged past me or if someone walked up to me unannounced. I’d get them at home, if someone knocked on my door. The nightmares were almost worse. I couldn’t sleep. I still struggle with them. I guess I might battle with trust. I don’t know. Realistically, the chances of being attacked again in this way are small to none, especially here in Sweetwater. At least the really bad days are over. I couldn’t work for over a year.”

“You are a strong female.”

She shook her head. “Why can’t I get on with my life then? Why does the prospect of dating someone affect me so badly?”

“You went through a terrible ordeal. It’s to be expected. It’s also not your fault. You’re stronger than you think.”

“You’re sweet to say so.”

Winston had to ask. “Who was the male you were with, the one who was killed that night? I think you said his name was John.”

She shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. It didn’t work, he noticed the tension in her shoulders, the tightness of her jaw. “Someone I was … with at the time.” He got the feeling the male had meant something to her but again, he didn’t want to push.

“So you associate dating with being attacked.”

She looked down at her clasped hands. “I guess. I don’t think it’s as simple as that though, or I would have figured this out by now.”

Winston couldn’t help but feel that there was something she wasn’t telling him. She pulled at a cuticle on one of her nails. Winston gripped her hand, using his other hand, he tilted her chin up so that she faced him. “You are brave. You went through a terrible ordeal. One most people never have to go through. You have made enormous progress. You said you couldn’t work and didn’t want to leave your home in the beginning and now, here you are.”

She gave a shy smile. “I guess you’re right. Sometimes you move forwards so slowly that it doesn’t even feel like you’ve moved at all. You have to glance back to notice the change.”

“Exactly right.” He paused. “You mentioned your therapist a few times, so you are still working on it?”

Ana nodded. “Doctor Brenner encouraged me to come tonight despite how things turned out the last time … not that I’m here for the same reason,” she quickly added.

“You mentioned me to your therapist?” He smiled.

Her cheeks turned distinctly red and she looked away.

“No need to be embarrassed about it,” he quickly added, not liking that she felt uncomfortable about it.

She nodded. “I did tell her about our meeting. She insisted I start having some fun.”

“I think I like this female.” He grinned.

“She told me to come tonight, said I needed to work on desensitizing myself around the whole dating thing.”

He felt himself frown. “Desensitizing yourself?”

“It’s nothing.” She waved a hand. “She wants me to role-play, to fake date.” Ana laughed, sounding embarrassed. “It’s apparently an honest to god therapy where you slowly expose yourself to higher levels of the thing you’re most afraid of but I’m not so sure about it. I don’t even know how it would work.” She widened her eyes.

“Interesting.” He reached out and clasped her hand, almost expecting her to flinch. Although Ana didn’t take his hand back, she also didn’t pull away. “Thank you for trusting me with your story, but I think it’s time to have a bit of fun ‒ like your doctor ordered. Do you want to dance?” An upbeat tune blared from the jukebox.

Ana pursed her lips for a second and then she gave a nod. “Why not?” She rolled her eyes. “Doctor Brenner would insist if she was here.”

Winston squeezed her hand and led her to the dance floor. They danced their asses off for the next forty-five minutes. Ana could shake those hips. Her cheeks became flushed and her eyes sparkled. She squealed every time a new song came on, declaring that it was her favorite. It was great seeing her let loose a little. Ana was as sexy as hell. He could see that she wasn’t wearing a bra, her breasts weren’t very big so she could get away with it. Winston tried not to stare but fuck, she was a stunner. Not that he was interested in her in that way, but he’d have to be deaf, dumb and blind not to notice that her nipples were very much out there and how her breasts bounced as she danced. Small bounces but fucking bounces none-the-less. He was a prick but he couldn’t help it.

A slow song came on. The beat heavy, yet measured and rhythmical. Ana looked up at him from under her lashes, she gave the tiniest of half-smiles. He could see a look of regret register on her face for a moment. Then she turned to leave the dance floor.

“Hey.” Winston grabbed her hand and turned her back. “Are you going to leave me hanging?” She was incredibly sweet and sensitive. It seemed so unfair that she was plagued with these attacks. That a moment in her life had brought about such devastating consequences.

Ana narrowed her eyes. “I’m not sure if …”

Winston kept ahold of her hand. “If you start to feel uncomfortable, in any way, tell me and we can stop.” He squeezed her hand. “No pressure! None whatsoever. We’re friends remember? Also, your doctor said that a bit of role-playing would help you, so what do you say we give it a try?”

She sucked in a deep breath and gave a nod. “Yeah, okay. That would be nice. I haven’t done this since …” She stopped herself. “In a very long time,” she mumbled.

“Come here.” Winston pulled her closer to him. “You tell me if you need to stop. I promise I won’t mind.”

Ana reached up and put her arms around his neck. He gripped her hips. It seemed like the safest place to put his hands. That way, there would be distance between them. He smiled at her. “See, not so bad.”

She smiled back. Her stunning blue eyes sparkled. The disco ball turned above them. “No, not at all.”

They swayed to the music. She scented of something lightly floral. Her hair of coconut. She was soft and warm. Winston almost felt disappointed when a rock song started not too long after and he was forced to release her.

“Thank you!” She smiled up at him. “That was … nice.”

“Do you want—?”

Ana’s friend walked up to them, she was frowning. She leaned in, speaking under her breath to Ana. “Jacob is flirting with one of the other women. Do you think he plans on taking her back to the hotel? I kind of just thought we would … you know. That we would …” She left the sentence hanging. “Not that I’m looking for a relationship or anything.”

“Why not hang with us then?” Ana said, also under her breath. “Don’t go back if he seems to be into someone else.”

Edith seemed to think on it for a moment. “Nah! We had such a good time, I’m sure he’s not trying to blow me off.”

Ana nodded. “You know where we are. Let me know if you decide to leave with him.”

“I will. Are you having fun?” Edith smiled.

“I am, actually.” Ana smiled back.

Edith nodded. “I’m glad.” Her friend winked at her. “See you later.”

“Yeah.”

Edith headed back towards the bar, making her way around groups of people. It wasn’t quite as busy as before.

“So …” Ana stuck her hands in her pockets.

“So …” He did the same. “I’m glad you’re having fun.”

“You heard that?” She lifted her brows.

“Yes, I did.” He frowned. “I told you that the males are reluctant to spend more than one night with the same female on account of them becoming attached. I think your friend might already like Jacob a little too much.”

“I think you’re right, she hasn’t stopped talking about him.” She looked worried, lines creased her brow. “She’ll probably be hurt if he ends up leaving with that other woman.”

Winston sighed. “It’s probably better if he doesn’t take her back with him. I know that sounds terrible, but if she’s already developing feelings for him it’ll only get worse if they spend another night together.”

“Yeah, regardless of what happens, I don’t think we should be hanging around the Dark Horse on Saturdays anymore. It’s obviously not good for Edith. I told her that she’d be useless at one-night stands. Looks like I was right, she’s far too emotional.”

He fought back disappointment at the prospect of not seeing her again. “I am glad you came this evening. You are definitely making progress. I like to think I had a hand in that.”

She pulled a face, like he was a crazy person. “I can hang out at a bar with someone. You’re a friend, so I feel fine hanging out. It would be different if the guy was an actual prospect, like a real date. Or if I actually wanted to …” She widened her eyes. “You know … have sex.” She was so cute the way she said it. At the same time, he was a little put out that she didn’t see him in that way. Then again, it was part of the reason he enjoyed her company. No strings attached and all that. This female didn’t see him like just a piece of meat. It was refreshing.

“Come back next month,” he blurted.

She looked at him skeptically.

“No, really! We can pretend date. Do that role-play thing your doctor said would help you.” What the fuck? He’d never dated before, now he was asking a human to fake date him? He needed his brain checked.

Ana narrowed her eyes.

Her aversion to the idea made him want to take her out even more. “Here.” He took out his cellphone. “What’s your number?”

“Why?” She folded her arms across her chest. “Why do you want to fake date me?”

“I told you, I want to help you. I haven’t been approached by any more females looking for a hook-up. It’s because we’re … together and I’m having a good time. Let’s help each other. I’ll call when I’m back in town next month. I’ll take you on a date. We can dress up and go out somewhere nice. I’ll open the door for you and hold your hand … the whole nine yards. I’m hoping you don’t have one of your attacks but if you do, I’ll help you through it. It’ll be fun to spend time with a female … with you … without … any expectations.”

Ana looked thoughtful. “Like I said, Doctor Brenner did mention that role-play might help to desensitize me. I would have tried it with a friend of mine but he isn’t half as gorgeous.” She widened her eyes, looking shocked at the admission. “I didn’t mean it like that.” Then she looked totally appalled. “Not at all. It’s just that I don’t think it would work with Tom because I know him too well, I see him as more of a brother.”

Winston grinned. She may not see him in that way but she did find him attractive. “It’s fine. It’s not like that between us, right?” He raised his brows.

She snorted. “No, of course not.” He noticed her gaze move towards the bar. He also looked in that direction. It was Edith, the female did not look happy. She was arguing with Jacob. “It doesn’t look like it’s going to work out between them.”

“Not such a bad thing considering he can’t have a relationship. Here …” He handed her his phone. “Give me your number. Next time it’ll be just the two of us. I’ll even pick you up.”

“I still don’t get why you want to help me.”

“I like you. I enjoy your company. I would love to fake date the hell out of you. I told you, we don’t have many females where I come from. I don’t want to have meaningless sex anymore but I still enjoy the company of the fairer sex. I know I’m safe with you.” He winked at her. What the hell? He didn’t wink at females, or beg them to hang out with him. There was something about this female. A deep-seated sadness. The pain in her eyes. He wanted to help her. Had enjoyed watching her smile and have fun. He enjoyed spending time with her and that was really the bottom line.

She laughed. “Yeah, okay. Are you sure though? Have you ever seen anyone in the throes of a panic attack? A real panic attack? I was still okay the other night. I wasn’t too bad yet. I don’t want—”

“I’m sure. Shifters don’t scare easily.” He thrust his phone in her hand just as Edith arrived.

Her eyes were blazing. Her face flushed. “He left with the other girl.” Ana’s friend looked like she was about to burst into tears. Her lip even quivered.

“Oh, honey.” Ana threw her arms around Edith and they hugged for a few seconds. Edith sniffed and wiped her eyes as they pulled away. Yup, she was crying.

Winston didn’t know what to do, where to look or how to respond. Jacob had done the right thing, only, he suspected that Edith did not want to hear that right now.

Ana put her arm around Edith. “Let’s get a drink. He’s an asshole for—”

Edith shook her head. “I would prefer it if we left. I want to go home and have a hot shower. There’s a tub of ice-cream in the freezer with my name on it. It’s double chocolate.”

“Double chocolate will work every time. Okay,” Ana nodded, “let’s go then.”

“Why don’t you stay?” Edith glanced his way. “I can catch a cab if—”

“Rubbish!” Ana gripped her friend by the upper arm. “We came together and we’ll leave together. How many times have you left early because of me?”

“But you guys seem—”

“No but’s. It’s about time I returned the favor.” Ana pushed a few buttons on his phone. Then she pushed a few more before handing it back to him.

“You’re positive you want to do this next month?” She looked unconvinced. “You are welcome to change your mind and I won’t mind in the least.

“Are you kidding? I’m definitely sure. Hey, can I give you guys a ride?”

Ana shook her head. “No, don’t worry about it. We’re good.”

He hooked his thumbs in his jeans pockets. “You sure? I don’t mind.”

“I’m sure. Thanks for the fun evening. I enjoyed myself.”

He wasn’t surprised she had turned him down. This female was used to doing everything for herself. “Me too.” It was true, he had. Without thinking, Winston wrapped his arms around her and hugged her in much the same way she had done with Edith. She sucked in air, clearly shocked, but she still returned the hug. The scent of coconut and flowers filled his nose.

Then he and Edith said their goodbyes and he watched as they made their way through the busy bar, finally leaving.

He really hoped she took him up on his offer. He was excited at the prospect of going on a fake date with her. Yup, he was definitely losing his mind.