Page 17 of The Wolf's Plus-Size Bride

“And by that, you mean my family.”

“Oh, I’ll be just as bored at any of our pack gatherings. Trust me.”

She stands, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear, and smiles. “I appreciate it.”

“Sure, no problem.” I stand as well, running a hand through my hair. The blanket around my hips begins to slip, and in my effort to stop it from pooling at my feet, I let go. “Aw, shit.”

Jane is biting back a laugh when I lower my arms.

“Right, I’ll just…” I hook a thumb over my shoulder, hoping to avoid this becoming any more awkward. “I’m going to go finish getting dressed now. Be right back.”

“No, no,” she says. “Don’t bother. I’ll show myself out. See you at dinner. Bye!”

I watch the door swing shut behind her, and finally, I hear her tickle of laughter bubbling to the surface. I shake my head, retrieving the blanket, and head to my room, my run long forgotten.

This should be an interesting evening.

Chapter 8 - Jane

“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather wear your hair up?” Aunt Gwen asks, fluffing the back of my head with her expert hands, fingers moving too quickly to track. “I think you have such a lovely neck. If you’re sporting those earrings I gave you, why not show a little skin?”

I resist the urge to shrug her off and roll my eyes. She is far too giddy about me dating someone, and honestly, she is being completely over the top about it. This dress is the fifth thing she’s picked out for me to try on, and when I stand back to examine myself in the mirror, I’m just praying this is the last one.

But when I get a good look at myself… I see she’s got good taste after all. It’s an off-white, short-sleeved summer dress with a small, bright floral print. It hugs my curves ever so slightly, and the elastic waist sets right under my bust. It’s modest enough but still sexy in an old-school kind of way.

“I think this is the one,” I tell her, running a hand over my stomach.

“Of course, it’s perfect. Oh, I can’t believe you’re finally putting yourself out there. You have no idea how worried I’ve been about you, Jane.”

“Aunt Gwen, don’t. I promise you I am perfectly fine, with or without Reiner in my life. Promise me you won’t get too invested in this. I told you, we’re still seeing where it’s going.”

Gwen looks like she wants to say more, but there’s a light knock on the bedroom door. Uncle Richard calls out. “Gwen? Jane? You both decent?”

“Come in, darling,” she replies.

He slowly pushes the door open and steps through the doorway, taking me in with a skeptical expression. Finally, he shakes his head, closing his eyes. “Jane, you look lovely.”

Gwen chimes in excitedly, “Doesn’t she? Just like her mother.”

I wince at that, knowing I could never measure up to the woman she’s comparing me to. My mother was stunning. Absolutely gorgeous, truly a one-of-a-kind woman. When she died, a lot of people commented on how much I looked like her, and it always made me feel weird. Partly because I have never been able to see it and partly because, well, she was literally the most beautiful woman on the face of the earth, and I knew I couldn’t ever live up to that.

“Yes, indeed,” my uncle agrees. “I just wanted to let you know your gentleman friend is here, along with his friend.”

“His friend?” I question.

“Jack, I believe it was,” Uncle Richard replies. “Nice boy, very polite.”

Why on earth would Reiner bring Jack? After the things Jack said to me last time… I just hope, for my aunt and uncle’s sake, he behaves tonight.

I sigh and thank my aunt for helping me get ready. As I walk out of the bedroom, an all-too-familiar scent slithers its way into my nose. There’s something very… masculine about this cologne, and for a moment, I get flustered trying to place the flavor of it. Something fresh, woodsy… but with a bite of citrus?

The trailer we’re staying in is a triple-wide, so it’s not tiny, but it’s not huge, either. The living room and kitchen are open concept, with a little table tucked in the corner. My aunt and uncle have a nice, cozy setup, and it’s the first time I’ve seenReiner out of jeans and a t-shirt. His hair is combed, and he’s wearing a button-down with the sleeves rolled up and a pair of khakis.

When I enter the room, Reiner’s gaze sweeps over me, and a slow smirk tugs at his lips.

“Hey, Jane,” Jack says, drawing my attention. “You look great.”

Okay, we’re off to a good start. No smartass remarks. “Thank you, Jack.”

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