Page 52 of Moonlighting with the Werewolf

Say he did have a change in heart rate or oxygen levels, and his temperature shot too high. Sabine wouldn’t know what to do as well as I would if I were there watching over him. Hands on my hips, I peered down at my furry patient. “I’d rather not cut you open if I don’t have to. I’m thinking you’ll spend the day with me so I can continue to observe you and see if you don’t force that rubber beak out the other side. As for the duckie...” I glanced at where it sat on the shiny countertop, far enough fromRex he couldn’t finish the job. “I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do.”

Rex responded to my joke with a hacking cough, and then he vomited the contents of his stomach onto the exam table.

I crinkled my nose as I studied the mess. “Uh-oh. You ate more than part of that bath toy, didn’t you? Is that...?” The scent of chocolate hit me at the same time as I lifted the red foil wrapper from the mess, extra glad for the invention of gloves as I squinted at the symbol of a bird—more accurately, a dove.

Rex regurgitated another heap of sparkly foil and dark brown onto the exam table paper I’d laid down. No time to read the inspirational messages scribbled inside the Dove wrappers— the darker the chocolate, the higher the risk, and now that I knew what Rex had eaten, I sprang into action so I could flush it from his system as quickly as possible.

Just like that, the idea that’d been skirting the depths of my mind crystalized. First things first, I’d stabilize Rex, and then I’d hop in my car and race to the compound as fast as the four wheels could take me.

The first time I’d come into the bar seemed like a lifetime ago, my mind too busy to fully take it in. A hint rustic, with twinkle lights and a string of green shamrocks, the place felt alive and cozy at the same time.

I sidled up to the wooden countertop, plunking myself on the stool opposite Gina. “Silly question: are you Irish, or do you believe in lucky charms?”

“Italian, actually, but I ate some Lucky Charms just last week, so not only do they exist, they’re delicious to boot.” Gina stacked the glass she’d finished drying on top of the others. Then sheleaned a forearm on the bar and whispered, “If you’re asking about leprechauns, however, while I’ve never seen one, I tend not to assume when it comes to things that shouldn’t exist.”

The joke deserved a laugh, but a weak smile was the best I could do. I pointed at the string of shamrock lights. “I meant the decor. But I’ll keep an open mind about the elusive leprechauns and their pots of gold.”

Gina patted my hand, sensing without me having to tell her that I was as melancholy as I’d been at the compound earlier that afternoon. Conall hadn’t been there, and I’d assured myself that was for the best.

I changed my mind during my power struggle with Sabine, wishing he were there to pull rank, even though it’d hurt like hell to see him. To be around him, breathing the same air and sharing the same space, knowing we’d never share more again.

Sabine wanted to continue the treatments she was currently using, and I argued my idea was the way to go, and Sasquatch had watched over our interaction like it was a tennis match.

After a couple of minutes that were growing extra heated by the second, Sasquatch had finally cut in. “Let her do it, Sabine,” he’d said, and when she’d balked, he’d added, “You know Conall would say the same.”

And so I’d flushed his system, administered some meds, and waited around an hour before I’d decided to head home so I wouldn’t drive myself insane waiting, watching, and hoping with so much of my efforts it’d left me exhausted.

On my way out of the community building, I crossed paths with Gina, and she’d told me I should swing by the bar later. It was officially later, and so here I was.

“What can I get you?” she asked.

Food should be the priority, but it wasn’t what I wanted. “I’ll have one of whatever’ll get me nice and buzzed, the faster the better.”

“I think I’ve got something that’ll help what ails you. Hold tight.”

A minute or so later, a mason jar filled to the brim with sunset-colored liquid landed on the bar in front of me. “One Bacardi Party. Or as I like to call it...” Gina beamed at me. “Just what the doctor ordered.”

I snorted at her joke, which felt especially good after so many long, humorless days. Then I took a healthy glug of my drink. “Mmm.” I licked my upper lip, savoring the burst of flavors. “I can hardly even taste the alcohol.”

“Fair warning, that’s how it sneaks up on you.”

Another generous swig down the hatch, and already the numbing effects were setting in. Halfway through my drink, I spilled my guts to Gina about everything that’d gone down with Conall last weekend, from the tense breakfast, being kicked out so they could have a meeting about me, and then Conall telling me that there were too many complications to being with me right now.

“I’m so sorry, hon. I can tell he’s completely miserable, on top of all the stress he’s under.” Gina shook her head and sighed. “Timing’s such a bitch.”

“Maybe it’s for the best. How long could we have lasted if everyone around him hated me?” Ugh, what a bunch of unsatisfying reasons, partially true or not. “I can’t help but think that if he truly wanted to be with me, he’d fight for us.”

“One, he’s crazy about you. We’ve established that, remember? And two, it’s not everyone at the compound. I adore you, and have since day one.”

I lunged over the bar and hugged her as an “aww” escaped. I declared her the absolute best, and she went to take more orders as I continued to nurse my drink.

“Kerrigan, hello.” At the familiar male timbre, I swiveled around on my stool top, acutely aware it wasn’tthe voiceI longed to hear.

“Hey, Mayor Sullivan.”

“It’s nice to see you again. And please, call me Craig.”

“Right. Craig.” I smacked my forehead before forcing my arm down. “Long time no see.

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