Page 8 of Just a Friend for the Lion
“I see you’ve noticed the local cuisine,” Uncle Uzzi says with a smirk, reaching for a garlic knot like he didn’t just throw me into emotional traffic.
I clear my throat.
“I noticed the pizza, thank you very much.”
He hums.
“Mmm. Yes. Saucy. Spicy. Impossible to resist. Just like?—”
“Don’t say it.”
He winks, then tosses the garlic knot in his mouth like he’s not about to ruin my entire week.
“So, my boy. Tell me about the business.Lion Limousines & Livery, was it? Sounds strong. Sexy. Alliterative.”
“It’s going great,” I say. “Paperwork’s filed. Garage is set up. Cars are detailed. First soft launch ride is next weekend. And don’t think I don’t know why you really called me here.”
He presses a hand to his heart, blue eyes hurt and yet completely guileless, like I just accused him of murder.
“Carter, I would never?—”
“I’m not looking for a mate,” I cut him off, dead serious. “Not now. Not ever. Not interested in fate, bonds, glowy marks, or mating bites. You hear me?”
Uncle Uzzi sighs dramatically, folding his napkin like he’s preparing for war.
“Of course you’re not, youbig pussy. Why would I ever suggest something so serious to such a fraidy-cat?”
“What?!”
He gives me a knowing look over the rim of his water glass.
“You’re clearly terrified of commitment, Carter. Commitment, and curves. And happiness!”
“I am not terrified of—wait, curves? Why would anyone be?—”
He waves me off.
“Forget I said anything. Anyway, I wasn’t going to recommend a mate. Not to you. No, no, no. But a friend? Perhaps someone to chat with? Share a meme? Exchange a few words that don’t involve engine fluid and radio static?”
I narrow my eyes.
The truth is, I miss my old pals at Falcon Limousine. People I worked with for years.
New city. All alone.
He isn’t wrong. I could use a friend. But that’s it.
Just a friend. Nothing more.
Still—I bite.
“This sounds like a trap.”
He shrugs.
“You can try Date to Mate with zero obligation to meet anyone in person. Unless of course you’re scared of a little phone app. Which—perfectly valid. Some Lions just prefer to stay in their cozy caves and lick their ownwounds.”
“You did not just throw down the gauntlet like that, Uncle Uzzi.”
