Phoenix Maplewood canaid lia fáil

Lane did understand. She was, at her core, a straightforward and down-to-earth creature of simplicity. Everything would be simpler if decisions were made according to principle and logic rather than feelings. 

"I don't know what the last guy did to you, but he sounds like a tool." Before Meerkat could interrupt to defend the asshole, Lane continued. "Issorytor.. Issar.. --damnit-- Tatkret isn't like that." She really needed to get a handle on that name. "--He's a good guy, and he's single. Having a crush on him should feel good. If it doesn't, it's not the crush's fault. You're inflicting the torture on yourself." Really though.. hadn't Meerkat just admitted to behaving weirdly for weeks due to some misplaced sense of jealousy based on essentially nothing?

Because she was kind of on an advice kick recently (Lane, a counselor? Who knew she had it in her?) she continued. 

"You weren't here last breeding season, so you don't know how fucked up it got. Just.. trust me on this, a guy like Tatkret is gonna be a hot commodity." Lane's expression twisted wryly as she thought of Wintersbane's prolificacy. 

"..If you don't lock him down, someone else will. And I know how shitty that feels. I lived it. If I could do it all again, I'd make a hundred first moves on Rye if there was the tiniest chance I maybe wouldn't have to lose him to Imaq."

Oof, that advice got a little personal. And a little bitter. Lane felt instantly guilty, remembering belatedly that Imaq and Sikuliak were still missing. How many times had she angrily wished to herself that they would just disappear...?