Page 80 of Good Luck Charm for the Wolf

They’re all gathered in a semi-circle, looking far too pleased with themselves.

They part. And standing dead center?

Doug.

My Doug.

Dressed in jeans and a fitted black t-shirt that clings to his muscles. His dark hair is a little wild. His scruffy jaw is a little tight. And his golden eyes are trained on me.

He looks serious. Intense. Like he’s about to face a firing squad.

And in his hands? He’s holding more carnations.

Pink ones.

Of course he is.

It’s my favorite color.

“Dina,” he says, voice hoarse but strong as he steps toward me.

His amber-gold eyes are glowing faintly, and when he drops to one knee, my knees almost give out too.

“Oh my god,” I whisper, hands flying to my mouth.

He laughs softly, a little shaky, a lot nervous. “Yeah. This is happening.”

My sisters are behind him, MJ fist-pumping and Carina wiping away tears like the traitorous softy she is.

Doug shifts on his knee, suddenly all serious, and my heart lurches painfully in my chest.

“I screwed up,” he says, no preamble, no dodging.

“I never had anything of my own, and just the prospect, well, it scared me,” he admits, and I’m just stunned.

“I panicked because, well, because I’m a dumbass who’s been afraid to put myself out there. Scared shitless of trying to imagine my forever for way too long.”

“Damn right he was,” someone interrupts and I see his ex-client, Mrs. Goyle approach us.

“I apologize for the, uh, run of bad luck,” Mrs. Goyle says, touching her finger to her nose in a way that I assume means magic.

But this is a public place, so I guess she is keeping it hush-hush.

“You see, my husband strayed, and I blamed Douglas for not understanding how I felt at the time and adding to my hurt with the uh, collected evidence. But he was only doing what I hired him to do. And the thing is, sometimes people do wrong in relationships,” she says and her eyes flash to the very contrite looking man on her arm.

“But sometimes the fault isn’t with just one person. Relationships are a partnership. Now, I release you from my hex Douglas McGregor,” she whispers loud enough for me and Doug only.

I see my Wolf’s shoulders slump slightly, as if in relief.

“My wife is right. Relationships require two people in order to work. Thank you, Mr. McGregor, for helping me see the error of my ways. Good luck to you both.”

Doug nods his head and we both watch as the odd couple leave.

I am happy for them giving it a second chance, but too focused on Doug to give them much thought.

“Sorry for the interruption,” he says, and my attention is back on him. “But, uh, she has a point. See, jobs like that, they added to all my fear. I mean, relationships? I never thought they could be real. And I convinced myself I wasn’t meant for this. For you. That I didn’t have a right to any of it.”

I blink hard, trying not to cry again, but it’s a losing battle.

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