Page 42 of Spies without a Face
“It’s Lucie from the Salem Supernatural Network. I have a job opportunity you may be interested in.” She explained that the ghost tour company had chosen someone else as a guide but that this seemed like a better fit. It involved working mostly outdoors at a wildlife sanctuary. I’d help clean up and maintain the trails, identify plant and animal species, note seasonal changes, and work on other projects as needed. It was a temporary position of three months to start but could turn into a permanent job.
My heart beat with a low thud. I fidgeted on the sofa but didn’t wake Tuxy. “That sounds great.”
“They want somebody right away. Are you available to go and meet with them today?”
“I am.”
“Great. How about two o’clock?”
“I’ll be there.”
That afternoon, the interview went well. They made me an offer onsite, and I accepted it. Pending some reference checks and paperwork, I’d be starting next week.
When I returned home, I bounded up the sidewalk, ready to tell Tuxy the good news. My gaze darted over to Pandora’s house. She still wasn’t home. I wanted to share the news with her as well but would have to wait.
She returned a couple of hours later, not that I was spying on her. Okay, maybe I glanced out the window whenever a car appeared to park nearby outside but that wasn’t spying.
Although I yearned to rush over and see her, I had to play it cool. I told myself to wait a half-an-hour before I went over but only made it to twenty minutes. That was long enough to not seem overeager, right?
As I walked next door, my bear stirred up again with his excitement. Apparently, he didn’t give a flying furball about playing it cool. If he was in charge right now, he’d bound over and roll around on her back deck, performing circus tricks to get her attention.
Stay calm, I reminded him, while also reminding myself since a bolt of excitement rose in me. I had to keep us both in control, or else I’d end up being the one doing something foolish to get her to notice me, like moonwalking across her back deck.
PANDORA
The rap at the front door startled me, and I jumped. Grr, when would this jittery feeling subside? Or was it going to be a constant companion now?
When I glanced through the peephole, relief washed through me followed by an energizing tingling. I opened the door. “Austin.” His name sounded somewhat breathy coming from my lips.
“Hi Pandora,” he greeted me with an enthusiastic gleam in his eyes. “I have some good news I wanted to share with you.”
His stare was as intense as Marius’s was, but it didn’t discomfit me. While Marius could disarm me with his dangerous edge, Austin’s had quite a different, exciting effect. It was difficult to pinpoint the distinction, but it made me feel more—what was it—desire?
I tipped my head and tried to tame my heated response to the man on my front porch. “What is it?”
“It looks like I got a job today. Thanks to the Network. So, thankyou.”
“Oh, I had nothing to do with that.” I shrugged with one shoulder. “That’s another group.”
“Nevertheless, you’re helping me make connections here in Salem. Like with Lucas.”
“Lucas is a great guy. I’m lucky to have him on my team.” He was always willing to do what was asked of him and do so with his signature grin—even if it meant welcoming a new shifter to Salem.
“Anyway, I think we should celebrate. Are you hungry?”
“Not very,” I replied with truthful chagrin. “I had a late lunch today.” One of the problems with getting caught up in work and meetings and calls was that I often let mealtimes slip. When hunger reminded me to eat, I tended to be ravenous. Today that meant a chicken cutlet sub late in the afternoon.
Austin glanced up to the sky. “It’s a beautiful night. How about we go for a walk? Maybe later, we’ll stop for a drink or an ice cream.”
The last time he’d promised an ice cream was right before we were rear-ended by a car when he’d avoided hitting the rabbit. Would we able to get one without incident tonight?
I inhaled the evening air. It would be good to cool off with an ice cream. Then again, it would likely often be a good idea for a shifter. They tended to run hot. I glanced down his muscular frame. Definitely hot.
I smiled at him. “I’d love to.”
After I put on my shoes, I flipped my hair over my shoulders. Austin watched me, and his stare turned hungry, shooting my pulse up a notch. He exhaled with a slow whoosh and turned away. His jaw stiffened as if he was wrestling with something.
As he walked away from our neighborhood, Austin extended his arm. I looped mine through his, and a ripple of delight fluttered inside. Walking arm-in-arm with this handsome, burly shifter did something to me. He was so big and muscular and had a caring, protective way about him.
