Page 9 of Coming Home

“What? I’m not,” I insisted.

Lizzy and Clara shared a look and burst out laughing.

“Shelby, if anyone knows about wallowing and pining, it’s me, hon,” Lizzy said. “And you are definitely doing both.”

I sighed. So they’d all noticed?

“I very vaguely remember Ben,” Lily said. She and Madelyn had met at Alpha camp one summer when they were young and became instant best friends for life, and they still were. Lily had spent plenty of time visiting us while we were growing up, so of course she too knew who we were talking about.

“So all these years you’re still hung up on him?” Ruby asked.

“It’s really not like that. Peyton’s just worried because his brothers are in my seventh grade English class and seeing them all the time has stirred up plenty of old memories, but I’m fine, you guys. I’ve been over Ben for a long time,” I lied, pretty convincingly.

“But you never date,” Ruby challenged. She was never one to just let something drop. She was like a dog with a bone when she caught on to something.

“I’m just busy. I’m not opposed to dating. I go out every now and then. I just haven’t met the one.”

“You can date and have fun while waiting for the one,” Ruby reminded me. She certainly had.

“I know that.”

“We just need to find her a nice guy to date,” Peyton suggested.

“No, that’s quite alright,” I said.

“Oh, oh, oh, did that hottie come that MC always bring with her?” Lily asked. “Not Jeremiah, the other one,” she whispered in a much too loud voice.

“No offense, Jeremiah,” Lizzy yelled out.

“None taken,” he replied.

“You mean Walker,” Madelyn said, then shrugged. “Yeah, I could see it.”

“Walker’s here?” Lizzy asked.

“Yes. Liam knew I’d want to spend time alone with you guys, so he brought Walker to watch over the kids.”

Lizzy nodded. “He is yummy, Shelbs. You could certainly do worse.”

“Is he single?” Clara asked.

“Yes,” Maddie confirmed. “It’s been a few months since he broke up with his last semi-serious girlfriend.”

“Great, then it’s settled. Shelby will go out on at least two dates with Walker while you guys are in town,” Peyton announced.

“This is a terrible idea,” I tried to say.

“It’s a great idea!” Lily exclaimed.

“Jeremiah, you aren’t going to run back and tell him all this, are you?” Lizzy asked.

He never actually came into the room with us, but we all knew with his wolf hearing that he was listening in.

“Unfortunately for Walker, Liam made me sign a full confidentiality agreement for Ms. Maddie. My lips are sealed,” he said.

They all giggled. I couldn’t help but laugh a little, too.

“Thanks Jeremiah, you’re the best!” Maddie hollered back at him.

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