Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 129756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 649(@200wpm)___ 519(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 649(@200wpm)___ 519(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Evander started toward her. “Well, well, well. Lothario has set his sights on Mila.”
Ingrid hurried over, her heels click-clacking on the floor, eyes sparkling. “What did he write on your hand? Evander said he scribbled something on your palm.”
“It’s nothing,” said Mila, hoping they’d drop the subject.
Ingrid grabbed Mila’s hand. “Ooh, is that his cell number? I saw him here while I was across the street, and I figured he’d be flirting with you. I met him at Madisyn’s mating ceremony—that boy could charm the birds out of the trees with just a smile.” Ingrid cocked her head. “But I must say, you don’t look charmed.”
“Well, I’m not.” For the most part.
Evander’s brows lowered. “You’re not gonna call him?”
“No,” replied Mila.
Ingrid gaped. “Why not? He’s gorgeous and charming, and you’re both single.”
“Grams, you do realize that he only wants a quick fumble in the dark with me, right?”
Ingrid lifted her shoulders. “And whatever’s wrong with a fumble? Really, doll, I don’t see why there has to be anything quick about it.”
Mila held up a hand. “I don’t feel like being another notch on GQ’s bedpost. That’s all I’d be to him. I don’t think he’s quite the player he pretends to be, but I know he wouldn’t want more than sex. You’re my grandmother. Shouldn’t you be offended on my behalf?”
“Would you want more than sex with him?”
“No.”
“Then I don’t see the problem.”
“Neither do I,” Evander chipped in.
Mila lifted her hands. “And I’m done with this conversation.”
“What conversation?” asked Archie as he came strolling out of the break room.
Leaving the three of them to gossip like little old women, Mila tidied her station.
Archie didn’t push her in Dominic’s direction; he simply reminded her of something he’d been telling her for years: “Dominant male wolves are more trouble than they’re worth.”
Ingrid waved that away. “You say that about every species other than pallas cats.”
“Doesn’t mean I’m wrong,” said Archie.
Ingrid shot him an exasperated look. “Well, I have to get back to the store.” She said her goodbyes, pausing to whisper in Mila’s ear, “Life’s for living, doll. Now you call that boy, and let him help you live it.”
Mila just smiled. “Take care, Grams.” Her smile faltered when none other than Joel and Adele walked in just as Ingrid was leaving. Shit. Mila’s cat stood with a hiss, hackles raised, fangs bared.
As Adele and Ingrid paused to chat, Joel headed straight to Mila. Like Dominic, he was tall and had quite the smile. His shoulders were a little broader, though, and his skin didn’t have GQ’s sexy tan or . . . Why was she comparing them? Ugh.
“Hey, stranger,” said Joel, grinning. “Haven’t seen you in at least a week. I came to pick up Adele from work, so I thought I’d pop in and say hi.”
One thing Mila was grateful for was that Joel, unlike most of the pride, didn’t work on this street. If he had, he’d have probably popped in quite regularly. Adele worked at the pawn shop a few stores down from the barbershop, but she rarely visited. It also helped that they lived in their own house as opposed to Mila’s apartment building where many of the pride resided.
He spared Adele a brief glance, noting she was still engaged in conversation with Ingrid, and then turned back to Mila. “Notice the flowers?” he whispered.
Yeah, Mila had seen the huge beautiful bouquet that Adele was carrying.
His voice still low, he continued, “I went on a night out with the guys and didn’t get back until five the next morning, even though I told her I’d be home no later than midnight. She was pissed.” His brows dipped. “If I’m honest, she was beyond pissed—to the point of overreacting. Seriously, you’d have thought I spent the night at a strip club or something.”
Mila frowned. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Adele anything but happy.”
“Well, she doesn’t hold on to her mad for long, but she sure can yell. She’s had a real bug up her ass lately. The slightest thing sets her off. If it wasn’t for the fact that I didn’t scent pregnancy on her, I’d have wondered if she were pregnant.” He shrugged, his smile returning. “Luckily, she’s a sucker for roses—they always get me out of trouble.”
Mila forced a smile. He often confided in her about his relationship with Adele, and such conversations were never fun.
“Do you think maybe you could talk to her and check that she’s okay?” asked Joel. “There’s something she’s not telling me, and I’m worried about her.”
Oh fuck, he couldn’t ask this of her. “Adele and I aren’t close, Joel. If she has some kind of issue, I’m not someone she’s likely to share it with. I’m sure she’ll tell you when she’s ready.”
His shoulders lowered. “Yeah, you’re right. I shouldn’t ask you to get involved, I’m sorry. Like I said, I’m just worried about—” He frowned, his gaze locking on her hand as she lifted it to push her curls away from her face. “What’s this?” He grabbed her hand, his jaw hardening. “You wrote a guy’s number on your palm? Wait, this isn’t your handwriting.” Joel’s nostrils flared. “Who was he?”