Page 52 of Wild Card

Too bad I’ve never managed to measure up.

Christ.

This is why it’s dangerous to drink around the holidays.

I clear my throat. “Are you ready to head back to bed?”

She nods, pulling off the earmuffs. “Yeah, I guess I better.”

“I’ll walk you up.”

Lennox uncoils the scarf and drops it on the table before sliding down until her feet hit the ground.

I should take a step back to give her some space as she removes the gloves, but I can’t force my body to move. “You’re going to be really good for Bear.”

I’m just, you know, a little heartbroken at the thought of being left behind…

“I appreciate you saying that. It just dawned on me.” Her hand lands on my chest as she stares up at me. “I never extended the offer officially. It felt implied, but I would love for you to join us in the nest.”

“I’m wherever you want me,” I assure her. “Come on, I’ll help you get up to bed.”

I whistle for Shera, and she jumps up, shaking out her furry coat.

The next morning rolls around before I’m ready to be awake. I slap off my alarm that I apparently forgot to handle last night.

Janet and Chrissy are aware I won’t be in today. I made sure to give them full control to shut down the bed-and-breakfast to stop taking new guests if they think it’s necessary. That way, they can focus on the restaurant and bar.

Janet probably deserves a raise and a promotion. She’s the one who took over teaching me the ropes after my family pack moved.

I grumble my way through getting dressed in my workout clothes and stomp downstairs with only a mild headache.

Shera bounds in, meeting me at the bottom of the stairs.

“Come on, let’s find your leash, and I’ll take you for a run,” I say, scratching her head. “Bear never jogs with you. I really should be your favorite.”

“Jesus Christ, that was sad.” Thorne comes around the corner to the living room. He’s fully dressed in jeans and a long sleeve T-shirt with wet hair.

My eyes fall shut as I breathe through the urge to tell him all about how Lennox and Bear bonded. It serves him right, considering how he dicked her around, but that’s something that should come from Lennox.

“Morning, Thorne.” I paste on a plastic smile. “What has you up this early?”

“There wasn’t shit to eat around here. I jogged down to the only grocery store I could find and brought back enough to at least keep us alive if her heat hits.” He shrugs. “Now, I need to know if you have a step stool or a ladder.”

My head tilts as I scratch my jaw. “Why?”

“I already put up the tree.” He tosses a finger behind him toward the living room. “But I need to hang the lights. It’s actually a good thing that you’re here. I need advice on where to put Lennox’s first courting gift.”

“Decorating was supposed to be a group activity,” I growl, suddenly unreasonably angry.

I don’t know who the hell this guy thinks he is.

“I didn’t put up any of the knickknacks or decorate the tree,” he says, rolling his dark eyes. “I just got it put together. It’s kind of sad you guys didn’t spring for a real one, but whatever. It’s done. Now, are you going to help me or not?”

I glance down at Shera, who weirdly has migrated to Thorne for scratches.

The furry little traitor.

“I have to take her out for her morning run.”

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