Page 14 of Good Luck Charm for the Wolf

Five o'clock shadow like he’s been too busy surviving supernatural smack downs to shave.

And his eyes.

They flick up, almost as if he feels me staring.

They meet mine—and wow.

Warm, amber-hued, and tired.

Like, really tired.

But still, kind of intense in a way that makes my stomach do a little flip.

Oh, stop it, I scold myself, heat creeping up my neck.

He’s literally covered in hives and bruises.

This is so not the time for my ovaries to be like “Hello, who’s this scruffy-faced walking disaster and can we have him?”

And yet there’s something there.

Something impossible to ignore.

Some sort of weird little zap of awareness that makes me suddenly very aware that I am standing here in my work best with a melting bag of ice in my hands.

Pull it together, Dina. You’re being ridiculous.

“This man tried to wreck my marriage! I will not be appeased until he proves he is sorry!” The woman, his former client according to Carina, is still staring angrily at Doug as she snaps her fingers.

I watch, getting madder by the second, as the poor guy winces, hissing through his teeth.

Then, before I know what I am doing, I move.

“Hi everyone,” I say with false brightness as I unobtrusively hand Doug the ice pack and greet my soon-to-be brother-in-law. “Horace. Uncle Uzzi. Are we all set here? Can I bring you anything?”

“What’s this for?” Doug asks, frowning at the ice pack.

But Horace beats me to the punch as he grabs it and smacks it on Doug’s neck.

“Fuc—I mean ouch! Oh, wow, that’s nice.”

He sounds so relieved, I actually feel good about interrupting.

“Hello, Dina. How are you, my dear?” Uncle Uzzi is all charm.

“Fine. Just taking over the night shift. So, can I bring you anything?”

“We are in a meeting,” the nasty woman replies.

“No, thank you, liebling. Perhaps when our business is finalized.”

“Okay. I’ll be here if you need me,” I reply, ignoring the woman as I turn to leave.

I feel tingles up and down my spine and I can’t help but sneak another peek behind me.

Uncle Uzzi’s blue eyes sparkle and he leans in toward Doug, saying something that has the Wolf’s eyebrows going sky high.

I can barely make it out.

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