Page 20 of Shifters in the Night

Jillian’s brows rose. “You mean, way back in the late nineties?”

“I’m a little older than I look. So you’re dating Will?” Lia asked Sonja. “He seems really nice.”

“They’re practically engaged,” Jillian said. “Though Will hasn’t come up with a proposal elaborate enough that he’s sure that she’ll accept it.”

“He has this whole fixation on violins,” Sonja said rolling her eyes. “Like I need violins. Harps, maybe, but not violins.”

And then the baby dropped her dragon toy while flailing her arms and promptly burst into tears. A corona of blue flames burst from her hairline, making Lia jump back in surprise.

“What in the what?” Lia cried.

“Phoenix-dragon baby,” Jillian said, while Charlotte handed the infant over with nary a flinch. “It made for a very challenging crib selection, let me tell you.”

“I love you very much, but I am not going to be having one of you until I’m good and ready, if I’m ever ready,” Sonja told the baby. “I haven’t decided, really.”

“Which is a perfectly valid choice,” Jillian told her. “As is your decision to lock your more valuable blouses up until my daughter is old enough not to spit up lava on them.”

“It’s nothing personal,” Sonja told the baby, who was blowing spit bubbles at her. “You’re delightful, but lava will ruin silk.”

Lia giggled, marveling as Jillian calmed the baby with a clean toy. Immediately, the flames fizzled out. “I love it here.”

“We’re glad to hear it,” Dani said. “Other than the not-fun living space you mentioned, how are you settling into town?”

“Oh, I move every few months, so it’s sort of business as usual for me. Settling in anywhere is a challenge, but I eventually find my rhythm. My grocery store. My gym. My coffee shop.”

“Well, speaking as someone who used to do the frequent relocation thing, that’s easy here,” Charlotte chirped. “We only have one each. Except for the gym. We don’t have one of those.”

“I’ve noticed.” Lia pursed her lips.

“And have you met anyone interesting?” Jillian asked, her eyes too wide and earnest to be truly innocent.

Lilt tilted her chin. “Why?”

Ingrid said, “We heard that Jon Carmody saw you naked.”

“He told you that?” Lia exclaimed.

“Ingrid, this is one of those ‘blunter than necessary’ statements we talked about,” Dani said. “Why am I saying this to so many people today?”

“He was very complimentary of your nude form, from what I hear,” Ingrid added, her brow furrowed, as if she didn’t understand what the fuss was about.

“We should start over. Jon mentioned – without any anatomical specifics – your somewhat unorthodox introduction the other night,” Sonja noted.

“So is this why you invited me? Because Jon is your friend?” Lia asked. “Am I being screened or something?”

“No, we invited you because you seem like a nice, interesting person,” Dani assured her.

“And since I’m dating Jon’s brother, he’s part of the group and we’re all a little protective of him. You’ve really knocked Jon for a loop, you know,” Sonja said.

“Really?” Lia blushed. She couldn’t help it. “I mean, he’s more reserved than I’m used to, but I think I like him. However, I’m not willing to put up with some sort of inquisition by a panel of his friends.”

Ingrid winked at her. “Good girl.”

“It’s not an inquisition,” Sonja insisted.

“We just want to get to know you a little better, both on a professional and personal level,” Jillian added.

“And make sure you’re not a murderer,” Dani said, shrugging.

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