Page 17 of Wolf's Chance

Willow tilted her head back to look up at me. “You must be shit hot at poker.”

A sliver of amusement slipped out. “Why is that?”

“You lie without blinking,” she told me as she placed her hand over my heart. “Do it again.”

“You’re very free with touching.”

“Says the man who just swept me off my feet. Literally swept me off my feet.”

“You were failing.”

“I’ve failed before.”

Watching her, I took in her features, a hardness in her firm stare. Her determination was so strong an illness like hers must be frustrating for her. For anyone.

“I don’t.” When she blinked, I clarified. “Fail. I don’t fail.”

“Never admitting it doesn’t mean you’re winning.”

“Neverlosingmeans you’re winning.”

“Does it?”

It was my turn to look away. “Do you want to tell me where you live?”

“No.” Looking back down at her, I raised an eyebrow, but she remained steadfast in front of me. “Why tell you when you already know, Caleb?”

I could deny it, like I had been, but she was determined and so sure. What was the point?

“Why don’t you tell me whatyoualready know?” I countered and saw her falter. Her hand dropped from my chest. “What? Suddenly you have no words?”

“You looked at them.”

“You know I did.”

Willow nodded. Closing her eyes, she blew out a breath.Pushing her hair behind her ear, she rocked back on her heels. “I don’t know how,” she admitted as she studied her sneakers.

“How long?” I swallowed hard, dreading the answer. “How long have you been drawing me?”

“A while.”

“A while? A week? A month? A year?” I floundered as she remained mute. “A lifetime?”

Willow chewed her lip, finally meeting my eyes once more. “A month, maybe more.”

“How much more?”

“I don’t know. I thought you were a dream.” She looked around, and it took me a moment to realize she was looking for something to rest against. “I never saw your face until recently; I didn’t know it was you.”

Stooping, I lifted her back into my arms and resumed walking, in the right direction this time. “You need to sleep.”

“I need a lot of things,” Willow acknowledged quietly, her head resting against my shoulder. “I can tell you one thing,” she carried on. “I’ve never done this before.”

“Drew someone you’ve never met?”

“Well, okay, two things.” Willow’s eyes were closed. “I’ve never donethat, and I’ve never been carried home by a stranger.”

“Am I a stranger?”

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