Page 13 of Wolf's Chance

Both of us turned to see Peter standing in the doorway. “Is class canceled again?”

Sharing a look with Lily, who thankfully had her back to Peter so he couldn’t see the face she made, I shook my head vehemently. “No, Lily’s just being overly dramatic.”

“Mm-hmm, how unlike her,” he murmured as he took his seat, and I leapt forward to grab my best friend’s arm, pulling her back before she gave him an earful.

“No,” I warned her quietly. “Just smile, remember?” Lily flashed her teeth at me, more of a snarl than a smile. “Or not,” I added hastily.

Peter was an ex-employee of her dad’s. I wasn’t sure of the history, and I wasn’t sure Lily was either, but she was fiercely loyal, and she protected her dad without question. Peter made a cutting comment about her dad once, and that was enough for Lily—his card was marked, and I wasn’t sure he would ever redeem himself.

Peter was oblivious to my friend’s struggle to keep quiet and was already settling into his chair to begin today’s lesson. Lorna arrived not long after, and once she’d given a breathless recount of her morning, my three students quieted down for their lesson.

Lily paid even less attention than she had the day before, and her glances of concern soon grated on my already fragile nerves.

Pushing myself to my feet, I told them I was getting some fresh air and went outside. I knew I was overreacting. She was my friend and she was concerned, but I needed room to breathe.

The streets were busier than I expected, but I let the hustle and bustle of the morning wash over me. Leaning against the wall, I closed my eyes, enjoying the warm sun on my face.

A strong grip held onto me, and groggily I opened my eyes, staring into the dark eyes of the stranger who was haunting me.

“You?”

He was frowning, but I quickly noticed it was with concern. Trying to clear my head, I assessed him as he held me.

Not held me, he washoldingme up.

“Do you normally fall asleep standing up?”

More than I should. “Um, sometimes.”

The door to the studio opened, and Lily came out. She took one look at me, and the worry line between her eyes deepened. “Willow! Itoldyou this would happen!”

“What would happen?” he asked, and I realized he was still holding me upright.

Stepping back, I tried to disengage from his hold, but he held tight. “I’m fine.”

“You are so obviouslynotfine,” Lily scolded me. “You need to go home and rest.”

“Are you sick?”

My eyes closed as I struggled to process. “No.”

“Yes!” Lily was full-on glowering now. “She has ME.”

“I can see you’re a good friend,” he answered smoothly, which actually made me smile as he clearly misunderstood.

Lily’s flat glare only made me smile wider. “No, I don’t meanme. I mean she has myalgic whatever, chronic fatigue syndrome.”

I felt his attention shift from Lily to me, but I didn’t dare look up. “You’re tired?”

I heard the doubt in his voice. Ugh, how many times had I been asked that skeptical question? Was I tired? Yes, I was freaking exhausted from people assuming I was lazy.

“A bit more weary than I thought,” I conceded under my friend’s warning glare.

“You need to go home.” I watched Lily’s gaze flick back to the man beside me. “I can’t leave the store.” Her ability to lie so carelessly was the one thing I resented about her, but she was already talking to him again before I could stop her. “Is there any way you could help?”

“Excuse me?” He sounded surprised. I wish she still could surprisemewith her boldness.

Looking at my feet, I wanted to be far away from here. “I’ll manage. Lil, stop,” I pleaded, hoping she would get the message.

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