Page 83 of Emerald Moon
With their cheeks smooshed, they managed to say, “How about tonight?”
”Perfect.”She dropped her hands, gave them another hug, then bounced over to Cass to do the same, repeating the same routine and making sure Cass promised to tell her side of everything over some croissants and coffee when she got back from dropping off Jo.
“They’re going to have an earful for you back at your pack house,” Krista teased as they turned to leave.“Coming back the next afternoon after a date.They’re going to connect those dots.”
Jo grimaced.“Let’s hope they show me some mercy.”
They knew better than to expect that and braced themselves for the teasing they’d face.
Jo had to pass by the entrance to the living room to go upstairs.They nearly made it unnoticed, but a squeaky floorboard gave them away.Harry and Billie’s heads turned in their direction.Jo waved and tried to rush upstairs, but Harry was quicker.
”Welcome home, Captain Stays Out All Night.”
Despite wanting to run up to their room, they crossed their arms and raised an eyebrow.“Is that the best you can do?”
“Captain Get Some,” Billie chimed in, her neutral expression giving way to a sly grin.
Jo peered into the room and realized Edgar was sitting in there, too, reading but definitely listening to the exchange judging by his smile.
”Ain’t your business,” Jo deflected, but the deflection in itself said everything the two of them needed to know.
“Well, you look like a hot mess,” Harry said.
”With an emphasis on hot,” Billie added.
”It’s summer,” Jo deadpanned.
”Not what I meant,” Billie said like it wasn’t obvious.“Looks like one of your crushes finally went somewhere.”
”Weirdly enough, it didn’t start that way.It kind of took me by surprise, this one.”
“Good for you.”Billie shrugged with a sideways smile, losing interest as the chances to tease Jo lessened, but still sincerely sharing her feelings in her own way.She turned back around.
Harry turned the rest of the way and threw his arms over the back of the couch, his chin resting on the cushion.“You got details?”
”No way.I’m not sharing anything about last night.”
”Please keep it that way for my sake,” Edgar called from the other side of the room.
Harry made a face.“Not about that!About Cass.The rest of us barely know her.”
”How do you know her name?”
Raising one eyebrow, Harry tilted his head.“Do you really think we don’t know at least that much?”
“Well, she’s clever and interesting and really into birds and she’s a little bit weird in a good way.”
”She’d have to be, to like you.”
”You’re not wrong.She’s wonderful, though.”
”Keep it in your pants, Jo.”
They sneered in reply, pivoting to make their way upstairs — only to meet Seraphine coming down.
”Beta Seraphine!”Jo squeaked.
Sera’s attention turned from whispering to herself to taking in Jo’s appearance.They wondered if their Beta remembered what they were wearing yesterday and would recognize it.From the way Sera’s lips curled into a sharp grin, Jo was pretty sure the answer was yes.
