Page 37 of Emerald Moon
“Okay.”Cass nodded, features serious.
”Okay?”
”I’ll go with you and I’m fine with everything else, too.”
”Awesome!”Overcome with relief, Jo dove forward and wrapped their arms around Cass, awkwardly pinning her arms to her body.“Aw Cass, thank you.I really mean it.My family is a lot to handle and my mom makes me wolf out sometimes, but knowing you’ll be there with me helps so much.”They froze then bounced backwards.“Sorry!I didn’t even ask if I could hug you.I don’t know if you’re much of a hugger.”
”I’m not, but I didn’t mind.It made you happy.I’m glad you picked me.”
”Really?”
”You need someone to be there for you and you chose me.I’m honored.”
Warmth spread in Jo’s chest again.“I’m happy I chose you, too!”They started walking back to the car again, Jo doing their best to keep up with Cass’ much longer strides.“I’ll text you all the details.It’s a bit of a drive.I was going to rent a car or take a bus.”
“We can take my car.”
”Are you sure?”Jo was already asking a huge favor.They didn’t want to add on top of that.“We can still rent one so we don’t put miles on yours.And I have a license so I can share the drive.”
”How far is it?”
”About six hours.”
Cass grinned.“That’s nothing.I’ve driven much farther to go to conventions.”
”How far?”
”The longest?Twelve hours,” she replied with a hint of pride.
Jo’s eyes widened.“Without stopping?”
”Nothing longer than a bathroom break or a quick bite to eat.”
”By yourself?”
”That time I was.Sometimes other birders come with me.”
”So six hours is nothing to you.”Jo sat back in their seat.
”That’s easy.A short jaunt out of town.I’ve got no problem doing that.And I’ve got no problem with taking my car.”
”Are you sure?”
”I’m certain.”
“Good.So, can you tell me more about the birds we saw today?”
Cass dropped Jo off by the bakery because Jo insisted they could walk back to the pack house and that Cass should leave so she could make it to her shift at the butcher shop on time, which meant at least ten minutes early for her.
They wanted the walk, anyway.It was hot, like it was always hot this time of year, but they were turning over quite a few things in their mind and wanted solitude before they returned to the comfortable chaos of the pack house.
Jo pulled out their phone and quickly texted their sister that they would, in fact, be bringing someone with them to the wedding.
They had a date for their sister’s wedding.They wouldn’t be there alone.The thought alone lifted their spirits and made the whole event feel a little more possible to get through.And bringing Cass had the extra layer of her looking more intimidating than she was.She was tall and muscular and the lack of a constant society-demanded smile on her face meant she looked like she shouldn’t be messed with.
When they had made it to the front door of the pack house, their phone buzzed in their pocket.Jo saw who was calling and picked up anyway.“Hey mom.”Why did she have perfect timing when it came to ruining what had been a great day?
”What’s this your sister is saying about you bringing someone to the wedding?”
