Page 23 of My Girlfriend is a Werewolf

“No worse than the kid being called champ or pumpkin. I always knew she loved me, and words are just that. It’s the intent that counts.”

“Sticks and stones,” she murmured in reply.

“Exactly, so keep that in mind when she decides on your nickname.”

Her brow arched. “You mean I’ll get one of my own?”

“Oh, hell yeah.”

“What did she call your last girlfriend?”

“Nothing since she never met her. The last one I brought around was like five years ago. Cindy Brown. Grandma took one look at her and called her the harpy on account Cindy had a thing for telling me, and others, what to do.”

“I’m surprised you’d date someone like that since you seem to have a mind of your own.”

“In my defense, she had a great rack.”

She blinked.

He coughed. “Yours is better.”

“Have you ever been serious with someone?”

“Yeah. My last girlfriend, who kept finding excuses to not meet my grandma. Should have been my first warning. When I suggested we move in together because she kept bitching she never saw me, she went a little psycho and accused me of stifling her.”

“I hate it when people play dumb games like that.”

“Me too,” he retorted. “Like, why is it so hard to be honest and real?”

“You’re an interesting man,” she lightly stated.

“Says the queen of mystery. Come on, we’ve got a bit of a walk to meet Gramps.”

“Why doesn’t he grab you at your place?” she asked as he dropped cash on the table and they left the diner, the duffel bag slung on his back.

“Because I’m technically not supposed to be living there. I’m subletting from a guy who’s out of the country but not via legal channels. He needs an address to make it seem like he’s there but didn’t want to leave the place vacant. So I rent it for cheap and have all my mail sent to my grandparents’ place.”

“That doesn’t explain why you get picked up away from your building.”

“Because Grandma is convinced the feds are watching them and doesn’t want to lead them to my apartment.”

“And why are the feds watching her?”

“Because of the pot and shrooms she grows.”

“Pot is legal now.”

“Now, yes, but it didn’t used to be, and old habits die hard.” He glanced at her, and to his surprise, she didn’t laugh or act shocked. Most women took issue with the family business. A business he wasn’t involved in, but still, folks heard the words “marijuana crop” and got weird.

“I’m assuming, with the pot and fed thing, your grandma’s got security at her place?”

“Yup. Cameras, dogs, traps?—”

“Traps?”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t recommend wandering through the woods alone. I know what to watch for, but it can be dangerous for the unknowing. Pits, snares, trip lines, just to name a few. If someone did manage to follow, they’ll be in for a surprise.”

“Seems unlikely since you’re not legally registered to that apartment. Means even if dumb and dumber talk, they won’t be able to trace you.”

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