Page 32 of Wolf's Forbidden Curse

She merely pursed her lips in response.

“Well, I’m onto you,” I said. “There’s definitely more underneath this intriguing exterior because the cool, mysterious chick doesn’t show up at the public pool looking to talk to a hot guy she just hooked up with.”

Katrina raised a brow. “She doesn’t? And how would you know? Have you had a lot of experience with that type of girl? And are you saying you’re hot?”

“Maybe.”

She laughed. “Okay, maybe just a little hot. And I get it now—this girl you’re describing—she’s your type.”

“I don’t think I have a type.”

“Every man has a type,” she said. “And apparently, yours is the girl who’s really an enigma. The one you can never pin down, who has a dark, storied past and trust issues.”

I laughed. “That’s pretty specific.”

“I call it like I see it. No wonder you haven’t been able to leave me alone. I must remind you of some of the other girls you’ve dated.” She leaned back on her hands. “Well, I hate to break it to you, but I’m really not that cool. And you may see me as ‘mysterious,’ but that’s not because I’ve got anything interesting to hide. It’s just that I’m not an open book. Not a puzzle, just a private person.”

I shook my head. “You’ve got it all wrong.”

“I do?”

“You do,” I confirmed. “You think I’m into you because you remind me of someone else, but that’s impossible because you aren’t like anybody I’ve ever met before.”

This seemed to give her pause. I enjoyed finally being able to surprise her. “By the way, I heard Al say your name last night,” I added. “Katrina. It’s pretty.”

“Thanks.”

“You don’t agree?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“But I can tell.” I smiled. “If you could pick a different name, what would you choose to be called? Quick, first thing that comes into your head.”

“Daphne,” she said, then covered her mouth as if the name had shocked her somehow.

“Daphne, like from Scooby Doo?”

“Ye–yeah,” Katrina said. “Exactly. She was always my favorite character.”

“Really? I would have pegged you as a Velma fan if I had to guess. What is it you like so much about Daphne?”

“I don’t know… she’s… she’s smart.”

“No,” I said. “Velma’s the smart one. Daphne and Fred are the pretty ones. And Shaggy and Scoob are the comedic relief.”

“Oh, right. I like her because she’s pretty. That’s it.”

“How vain of you.” But I didn’t quite believe what she was saying. There was a wary look in Katrina’s eye suddenly, and she was no longer smiling. “I was just kidding.”

“I know.”

She continued to look off into the distance and say nothing.

“So, listen, about last night,” I began. That caught her attention. She glanced back at me but didn’t interrupt. “You seemed pretty freaked out when I first walked into the alley, and I know you said what we did was a distraction—happy to help, by the way—but you know a lot of people seem to think that the best way to move past something traumatic or scary is to talk about it.”

She laughed under her breath. “Where did you learn that? Dr. Phil?”

“He’s a quack,” I said. “I would never suggest that you take advice from him. No. That’s just something I’ve picked up over years of helping my friends with similar problems.”

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