Page 8 of Wolf's Midlife Baby

“Maybe instead of going out on a date with this Pierce guy, you and I should go shopping.” Dahlia retreated from Holly’s room and into her own across the hall.

Following her, Holly shook her head. “I’ve tried. Have you seen the monstrosities they try to pass off as women’s fashion these days? With puffed sleeves, ruffles, and giant floral prints? I’m well past the stage when my mother used to stuff me into fancy dresses to go see my grandparents.”

“It’s not that bad. You just have to know how to find the right things. I saw a navy skirt in your closet. Try that with this cream top.” Holly shoved a sleeveless shirt at her, the soft material bunching in her fingers.

“And the shoes?” Holly challenged.

Dahlia scrunched her face, accentuating her freckles. “I’ll let you have your boots. You said he’s going to show you around, so there’s a chance you could be walking.”

As Holly went back to her room to change, Dahlia hung out in the hallway. “A handsome stranger on a work trip. That sounds like something out of a chick flick.”

“Maybe, but I’m trying really hard not to think about it like that.” Holly pulled on the top, but her bra was the wrong color and showed right through. She took everything off to start over again.

“Why not? Let your hair down. Have some fun! You work hard, and you’re a grown woman. You deserve it.”

“Okay, sure.” Holly had to concede on that point. She wiggled the skirt on, and even she had to admit it looked pretty cute together. “I just don’t want to get myself too excited about the whole thing. He lives on the West Coast, and I live on the East Coast. We’ve both got jobs and lives and all that. There’s just no way it would work, even if he is?—”

“Even if he’s what?” Dahlia pressed. “Hot? Polite? An actual good guy who risked his life to save yours?”

Even if he’s my mate, she told herself. “Yeah. All of that.” Holly put her boots back on and took a look in the mirror. She hated to admit it, but Dahlia had been right. This was a much better outfit.

“Here.” When she stepped out of the bedroom, Dahlia practically attacked her with a pair of silver dangly earrings. “You need to accessorize!”

Holly took them from her, but as soon as she stepped back in front of the mirror, she heard the sound of a truck pulling up outside. Her hands instantly began shaking too hard to even come close to hitting the holes in her ears. “I think that’s him.”

“Oh, yay!” Dahlia ran to the front door.

Looking at her reflection, Holly wondered just what the hell she was about to do. Pierce seemed like a hell of a guy so far, the kind she could wax poetic about if she wanted to. She’d resisted because she knew it would only pull her further into this connection with him that her bear was so set on. She’d explained her situation, so she couldn’t give herself too much guilt over the idea of leading him on, but it still just didn’t feel right. Why go out with him if they both knew it was going to end, anyway? Her suitcase peeked at her in the mirror from around the side of the bed, reminding her just how quickly the clock was ticking.

“So you’re the hero who pulled my lovely little Holly out of the river,” Dahlia was gushing in the front room. “That was very impressive.”

“I was just doing what anyone else would do,” he replied, his voice a deep rumble through the cottage that set Holly’s bear off all over again.

Dahlia laughed. “You probably didn’t notice because you were too busy diving into the rapids, but everyone else pretty much just sat around like idiots. Anyway, I’m trying to thank you for saving Holly’s life.”

“I was happy to do it.”

“I bet you were.”

Holly knew she’d better get out there before Dahlia started giving him a safe sex talk. Exhaling a slow breath, she stepped into the living room.

Pierce instantly looked up at her. His name was perfect for him, since his eyes pierced straight into her soul. He captured her with little more than a glance, and suddenly, Holly felt delighted to be dressed up a little. Her earrings tinkled softly, and she was suddenly aware of the way the fabric of her skirt fell across her hips.

“You look beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

Dahlia pressed her lips together as she looked back and forth from one to the other. “You two kids have a good time. Drive safely and make sure you stay out too late!” She winked at Holly.

Grabbing her purse, Holly ushered Pierce toward the door. She made a face at Dahlia just before she closed the door. “Sorry about that,” she said as they entered his truck. “Dahlia is very enthusiastic and actively tries to rub that off on me.”

“You’re not enthusiastic?” he challenged, raising one brow as he backed out of the driveway with expert ease.

“I am about some things,” she replied, letting the implications hang in the air. Holly was far more excited to be with Pierce than she should be. It was just a simple date, a nice little tour of the area that he’d offered. She could even try to convince herself that he’d offered it out of pity if it weren’t for the way her bear was reacting. It felt warm and cozy being there in his vehicle with him, pleased to finally be in close proximity once again. It reminded her of just how big the bed in the little rented cottage was when she slept in it alone, just like her bed at home. It churned inside her as she studied the hard, muscular lines of his arm and the way his jeans fit around his thigh.

“Anything you’re particularly not enthusiastic about so I can make sure we avoid it? Other than anything to do with the river, of course.”

She had to laugh. “You’re never going to let that go, are you?”

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