Page 39 of My Girlfriend is a Werewolf

Could it be that Dr. Rogers gave up? He didn’t seem the type, but then again, she’d chosen to not go after him. Her plans for revenge evaporated in the face of her burgeoning relationship with Derek.

Derek…

“You’re doing it again,” Selene had accused.

“Doing what?”

“Getting that doe-eyed look on your face. You were thinking of him.”

“Fine. I was. I like him. A lot.”

“I knew it,” Selene huffed, again slapping the steering wheel.

“You’re annoying,” was Athena’s grumble.

“I know. It’s my job as your little sister.”

“Can we change the subject?”

They’d talked about minor stuff. Selene’s frustration with the dating world. Ares having broken the heart of yet another woman. Mom’s upcoming trip to Mexico.

Their hug had been tight when Selene dropped Athena off not far from the restaurant. Athena had chosen a window seat so she could see him pull in. The smile that stretched her lips at the sight of Derek was tempered by the trepidation on his face.

Was he mad?

His expression flipped to pure joy when he saw her.

He’d missed her too. Not just missed her. On the drive back, he’d broached them moving in together. For the first time in her life, Athena wanted to take that big step. Heck, they’d technically been cohabiting for the last month, although it felt more like a holiday since they were guests of his grandparents. Might be time for them to truly take a shot at this.

She’d tell him when he got back from fighting his fire. The rumble of his departing truck faded, and she eyed the house. Her melancholy would probably be improved by needling his cousin.

Athena entered the farmhouse to find Frank sitting in the kitchen with Gramps, having a coffee. Grams stood at the counter, stiff-lipped as she rolled out some dough.

“There you are.” Frank’s greeting with a smile much too bright. “I was hoping to see you.”

Athena ignored him to address Gramps. “Derek told me to let you know he got called in for a fire and took the truck.”

“Guess we won’t be going to the yarn store,” Gramps announced with fake chagrin.

Grams glared. “I swear you do on purpose each time I wanna go.”

“Hey, this wasn’t my fault.”

Frank dangled his keys. “You’re welcome to borrow my wheels. I’ll hang with Athena while you go.”

“I ain’t driving that foreign car,” Gramps declared. “Hybrid bullshit. In the apocalypse, there won’t be any charging stations. Gas vehicles will be key. Especially the kind without all those fancy bullshit electronics.”

“If you change your mind…” Frank tossed the keys to the table.

“Never!”

Athena bit her lip lest she ruin Gramps’ indignation. “I’ll go check on the horses since Derek’s out this afternoon,” Athena offered.

Gramps nodded. “You know where the feed is. I’ll be out in a minute to give you a hand. Just waiting for the pot brownie to kick in.” His idea of pain management being of the herbal variety.

As Athena went to leave, Frank suddenly joined her. “I’ll give you a hand.”

“I don’t need one,” she muttered.

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