Page 21 of As The Shifter World Turns

“Nice.” He smirked as he reached for his shirt. “Telling me how to play it all safe and then doing exactly what I did.”

“Ahh, but for different reasons, one being we had a finish line.” I didn’t have to keep him at bay, I just needed to be first to my car.

“And what if we didn’t, or what if I was someone dangerous?”Like a humanwent unspoken.

“Want to see something?” He nodded, and before I could change my mind, I shifted into a unicorn with my horse glimmer on.

His jaw dropped. “You are officially the most magnificent creature I have ever met.”

I neighed, then shifted back and threw my jeans on quickly, afraid that I would catch a glimpse of his ass before I was dressed and my boner would point at him like a homing beacon.

“Your wolf is pretty spectactical too.” Way to not say anything. “I mean spectacular.” He was too—the sheer strength he exuded—the grace of his movements.

His stomach growled loud enough that even if I wasn’t standing a bit too close to him and my attention wasn’t solely on his every move, I’d have heard it.

“Hungry?” I asked.

“Yeah, I need to eat dinner still.” He buttoned his jeans. “Maybe we could drive through someplace on the way home?”

“Orrrrrr… we could go someplace with less grease?” His face lit up at my suggestion. “Got a favorite?”

“Veg-onica’s!” he said without hesitation.

“I don’t know them, so I’ll need directions.” I clicked the car unlocked. “Get in, neighbor. Let’s get some grub.”

Grub was a pretty generous term. At least that was my first impression when I saw that Veg was for vegan. I didn’t need to eat meat all the time, but take away my cheese and I was grumpy.

“You’ll love this place,” he promised, and then leaned in and kissed the corner of my mouth, exiting the car so quickly I wasn’t exactly positive it had even happened.

My junk was… It was ready to go. Because a thank you peck was the same as an invitation as far as my little brain was concerned. Heck, so was a smile and being in the same building. It was getting to be ridiculous.

We went inside and there was one table left in the back, and it really wasn’t even a full table. It was half a booth where both people sat on the same side like they did in the movies.

We ordered burritos, which even I had to admit were delicious. Who knew cheese made from cashews could be so delicious? We mostly talked about work, his sounding dreadful. They pretty much expected him to be on call everyday all day, which was why his stupid phone wasalways going off. He wasn’t married to social media; he was owned by his damn boss, and for not enough pay if he was living in Sunshine Manor.

Everything was going great until who of all people showed up?

Kellan. And no, he wasn’t alone. He was with a new guy, and they were not just friends unless friends now inspected each other’s tonsils in public.

That was pretty much the end of our night and I could smack Kellan for being such a dirtball boyfriend slash ex-boyfriend for Ryder. Sure, Ryder let it happen, but that didn’t mean he should be a total dick. The whole “might get back together” thing was a ploy to get something from Ryder. I wasn’t sure what, but it wasn’t getting back together.

And to make matters five times worse, the next day as I was planning the staging of the building with Daire, who walked in but Ryder and Kellan, all lovey dovey and hand in hand.

I wanted to puke.

No. I wanted to punch that jerk, but it was not my business. I’d bring it up if Ryder allowed, but if I mentioned anything then and there, he’d double down on his love for the asshole.

“Heard you’re sellin’ this place.” Kellan smirked. “Maybe it was a blessing I moved out after all.”

“Do you need something?” Daire had his fists on his hips. He was kind of adorable when mad and not at all as fierce as he attempted to be.

“We were just going?” Ryder tugged his arm and they left.

“What are you doing here?” Ivor’s voice rang through from the hallway, so of course, being the mature one of the building, I went to see what was up to find Ivor, Neil, Archer, Ryder, and Kellan all out there, all eyes but Kellan’s glued to Kellan.

“Don’t you have someplaceotherto be?” Archer joined in. He might not know the guy, but he saw what he saw.

“We are leaving,” Ryder promised. “Where are you all off to?”

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