Page 63 of As The Shifter World Turns

“What… what happened?” I asked, not wanting to hear the answer.

“He yelled his name.”

“Before, during or after.” That was Archer and I gave him a look.

“After.”

“Maybe you were half asleep and misheard,” I suggested.

“I was wide awake and crept out,” Ivor explained.

“You talked to him,” Archer said. But after glancing at Ivor’s face, he continued. “Or not.”

“What about work?” If Ivor had no income, that’d be a double whammy.

“I sent him a message the day after saying… no, not saying, lying that I’d sprained my ankle and had to work from home.”

“But what if he sees you?” I imagined the pair of them coming face to face on the porch and Ivor having to hop into his apartment.

“He did,” Ivor replied.

“What?” Archer took another mouthful of wine.

“I had to go to college and was waiting for the bus. I caught his eye, damn it and then the bus arrived.”

“But if you haven’t explained what happened, Ryder must think...”

Ivor finished my sentence. “It was a mistake and I don’t want to see or speak to him.”

“Poor you. I’m so sorry. And I guess poor Ryder if he’s...” Archer didn’t finish his thought.

“Yep. It’s messed up,” Ivor added.

He was trying to be upbeat but his hunched shoulders and fingers clenched around the wine glass told me he was having a hard time. Not surprising when the guy you slept with still had a thing for his ex. While I was convinced Ryder cared for Ivor, I was peeved he’d slept with the wolf shifter if Kellan was still a huge presence in his life.

“We need more wine.” I grabbed another bottle and opened it. “On another note, my therapist is really cute.” There was silence from the living room and when I looked at my friends, they were staring at me, open-mouthed. “Don’t worry, I understand it’s unprofessional to fall for your therapist.” And quite common from what I’d heard. “I like him but I don’tlikelike him.”

Daire

“Can I help you?” The customer had been staring at indoor plants for what seemed like forever but I’d been so busy serving other people, I hadn’t had a chance to talk to him. And with all the crap flying around about Archer’s apartment, I was working the phones but avoiding Sunshine Manor. Micah was on my case and also my parents, especially Father saying how I’d embarrassed them.

But I stood my ground and pointed out they’d handed the building and the running of it to me and yet they interfered. They were kinda quiet after that.

And I was clawing back my identity after some fucker stole it. It was a lot.

“I guess. Do you have anything for someone that kills every plant he ever owned? I looked around but didn’t see a section for plant killers like me.”

My broad grin was genuine and my grizzly took notice of the guy. He growled and I was sure the customer could see him in my eyes. He was a cat shifter. Big cat but I wasn’t sure which one. “You must have missed the sign. Perhaps someone stole it.”

“Is there hope for me being a plant killer and all? Can I be rehabilitated?”

I steered him toward the back of the nursery. “Succulents. They’ll survive any amount of neglect. Trust me.”

He peered at my name tag. “Really, Daire? I'll hold you to that.”

“Please do.”

We chose a variety of plants and I went through the care instructions and gave him a pamphlet that had websites and even online forums for succulent lovers who were not gifted with a green thumb. After he paid and I helped carry the plants to his car, he held out his hand. “Wesley.”

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