Page 37 of Secret Shifters Next Door

“Mom, dinner’s ready.”

We broke apart, coming back to our senses. I bit back a curse as Harley disentangled from my embrace and moved toward the kitchen. I stood there for a moment, taking a few deep breaths to calm myself. Had she felt the same way? It had seemed like she had wanted this as much as I did. There was no way to be sure now. I shook it off and went back into the kitchen with everyone else.

While Harley ate, I hung around, talking to her and the girls. We laughed and enjoyed each other’s company. It was a great night, even though the day itself had been pretty terrible. It wasnice. Harley sent the girls to bed early since they started school the next morning.

“I’m not really sure how I’m going to get around after they get to school,” she said after they went to bed. “My car is trashed.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll get you guys wherever you need to go.”

“Tate, you’ve done too much already. That’s a kind offer, but Emily can probably help out.”

“Who’s Emily?” I asked.

“She’s a new friend I made. I met her on the Fourth of July. She’s really nice. I think she’d be fine giving us a ride if we needed it.”

“Okay. Well, if you do need anything, please call me.”

“Tate, I live across the street. I think I can find you.”

“Nope. What if you’re not at home? Or I’m not at home. Here.” I grabbed her phone and dialed my number, then saved it. “Now, you can get me whenever you need me.”

Not wanting to overwhelm her anymore, I stood to leave. She needed to rest. An impulse came over me to finish what I’d started earlier. We’d been interrupted before, but the girls were in bed now.

“I’m going to head home. Goodnight, Harley.” I leaned down and kissed her.

My lips pressed against hers. She stiffened in surprise, then relaxed a moment later, her lips parting to kiss me back. When the kiss broke, I let myself enjoy the look of stunned surprise I left on her face.

“Make sure you lock up as soon as I leave.”

“Uh… okay, yeah. Good night.”

Outside on the porch, I stood by the door. I didn’t leave until I heard Harley punch in the code. Once I heard the beep that indicated the alarm was activated, I headed home. What the hell was I actually doing?

SIXTEEN

HARLEY

Even after all that happened the day before, I didn’t let it bring me down as I helped the girls get ready for school. It was Jordyn’s first day of high school. Nothing could stop me from being there for her on a day that stressful and exciting.

To their credit, the girls were up before me. When I came down the stairs in my robe, Mariah was already pouring a bowl of cereal for both her and her sister. I stopped on the stairs and watched them––Mariah working on breakfast, Jordyn running a brush through her hair. They looked so grown up. Soon, they would be adults. Women. Tears started to burn in my eyes, but I took a breath and kept it under control.

“Good morning,” I said as I descended the rest of the stairs.

The girls turned and looked at me. Mariah smiled. “Morning, Mom. Did you sleep well?”

I nodded and took a seat next to Jordyn. “I did. Are you guys excited?”

Jordyn said, “Yes. I can’t wait.”

Mariah set their bowls down, and they ate while we discussed the day. The strangeness of the day before hadn’t made things weird between us. It was as if nothing had happened. Still, it wasdifficult for me not to cast an eye toward the security panel by the door or the cameras.

After breakfast, I helped the girls pick outfits and shoes. While I braided Jordyn’s hair the way she liked it, I started having reservations about sending them to school. I didn’t let that show or tell them, but the fear was there. Almost as though he read my thoughts, my phone buzzed with a text from Tate.

Good morning. Wanted you to know not to worry about the girls at school. I’ve got guys on it.

On it? That was comforting but also a little heart breaking. Why did I have to haveguys? Why did they have to beon it? Though I couldn’t ignore the fact that having Tate watching out for us made me feel much better about everything.

I texted back:Thanks. That means a lot. You read my mind.

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