Page 52 of As The Shifter World Turns

He said the word. “Yeah.”

“But you’re my boss.” His fingers gripped the water bottle so tightly I thought he was going to crush it.

“Mmmm.”

“And I work for you.”

I didn’t answer but I wished I’d gone to the gym instead of asking Ivor out.

His fingers twisted and untwisted the bottle lid. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he said in a small voice.

20

DISTANCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER

Archer

Gods, I hate this place.

Home, my wolf intoned as he’d done countless times a day since I arrived.

“No, I don’t,” I said out loud to convince myself. “It’s good to be away from Micah and Sunshine Manor. I’m learning new skills, and making new friends.” And to myself I whispered that maybe the time away would make me realize how futile it was being with Micah.

No!My wolf would never accept anyone except Micah, but I wanted things from life that the unicorn shifter couldn’t give me. Who was I kidding?

Not me, my beast piped up.

Oh shush you. Whose side are you on?

Micah had wormed his way into my heart and was firmly wedged in there.

It wasn’t that this city where I’d spent almost two months wasn’t a nice place. It had museums, parks, great food and it was situated around a large lake which reminded me of the one at Daire’s parents' weekend place. Though the only similarity was that they were both bodies of water. One was surrounded by tall buildings and highways and the other by trees and memories. Memories of being with Micah and us shifting together.

My colleagues here were friendly and had invited me to the movies and dinner, but knowing I was only in the office for two months, everyone, including myself, held back a little as I’d be gone soon and what was the point of becoming besties.

The phone pinged. I should have been back in my hotel room but was finishing off a project and was thelast one in the office.

Micah, my wolf told me.

Since when do wolves tell time and understand a schedule?

He harrumphed and ignored me.

The face I adored appeared on the screen. “Hi. I miss you,” he told me. He said the same thing every time we spoke. We hadn’t seen one another since I’d been gone, though he’d offered to visit for a weekend.

But though I hadn't mentioned it to Micah, this was my let’s see if I can exist without him campaign. The campaign had failed, failed so badly my heart was bandaged from being stomped on and wrung out. “Mmmm. Me too.”

“You at the office? How’s everything?”

“Yes, and things are great,” I lied. “Such an amazing group of people I’m working with and there’s so much to do on the weekends. And last minute projects at work. I’ve had little free time.” That was much the same thing I’d said whenever we spoke. It was my excuse for not meeting up while I’d been gone.

His smile faded slightly though he did his best to keep it plastered on his face. “Can't wait to see you. Not long to go now.”

My temporary stint in the office was almost over and while I longed to be in Micah’s arms, I kept pretending it was no big deal being away. And part of me felt guilty. I should have poured my heart out telling him how much he meant to me. “I miss you too,” I mumbled, avoiding his gaze.

But when I glanced up and studied him, it wasn’t his face I was looking at but what was behind him. “Are you on the roof?” The light behind him was too bright for the roof patio. “Or maybe out on the street?”

“Street, yeah.” He fumbled with his phone as he crossed the road. “Do me a favor and go to your office window, the one overlooking the front entrance.”

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