Page 17 of Awakened
“Sorry to disappoint, but you’re just one in a long line of hugs. We had a good time, but you deserve more than I am ready to give. I hope you understand.” I patted his shoulder as he hung his head in mock depression. After a beat, he looked up at me, and we burst into laughter.
Zach cocked his head to the side. “I knew from the minute Isaw you that we’d hit it off. Why don’t we grab a coffee to celebrate you joining the team?”
Oh no. No way. I wasn’t going to entertain the idea of anything that even remotely looked like a date with a soon-to-be coworker.
Must avoid. Must avoid.
“Wish I could, pal,” I said, slapping his deliciously muscled arm. “But I have a bunch of errands to run here in Clayton since I made the big move. I’ll see you soon though. Right, new coworker?”
“Absolutely, Sunshine,” he said, his tone light with amusement. He gave me one more dimple-drenched smile and turned back to the elevators. I was relieved he was gone, but part of me wanted to follow him and keep flirting. He would be a dangerous addition to my life, but also maybe the distraction I was looking for.
The rest of the day was spent rushing around to the DMV, post office, and library. I printed out the request form to leave the pack. It was antiquated, but there was no way to sign in blood through DocuSign.
“Hey Les, whatcha doing?”
“Filling out the papers to go rogue. Who knew there was so much red tape to cut all ties with everyone you know?” I sighed, blowing a curl out of my face.
Sarah laughed as she set her purse down on the coffee table. “Why don’t you take a break for now, and we’ll hit up that happy hour?”
I finished filling out what little of my mother’s family information I knew and set the paper aside. “Sounds good. I’m done being a responsible adult today.” After changing into jeans and a T-shirt, I joined Sarah at the front door. As usual, she was wearing a similarly dressed-down look.
One thing we had always had in common was a love for the simple and casual. Emily complained that our wardrobes left much to be desired, but who wanted dry-clean only clothes? That was a life sentence to yet another errand, and nobody’s got time for that. No, my idea of a good wardrobe was cheap and disposable. Oh, your barbecued ribs got up close and personal with your cardigan? No biggie. You got it on sale at Target.
Walking into Blackthorn was like coming home. The smell of wolf was thick in the small, dark space, instantly putting me at ease. Cramped writing covered the walls above worn booths with torn upholstery. People stood crowded around the bar, shouting and laughing, leaving the tables scattered around the room empty.
As Sarah and I stepped up to the bar, I caught sight of Marie in the middle of a group of women.
“Celeste, you came!” Marie jumped down from her stool and crushed me in a hug.
With my upper arms pinned down, I lifted my forearm in an awkward wave to the three women behind her. “Hello, Marie. Ladies.”
The bar erupted in a cacophony of “fuck yous,” then silence as everyone took a drink. Marie let me go to grab her beer and take a healthy swig. She chuckled. “You’ve stumbled onto an Amazon tradition that started when we were an all-female pack. It’s a little corny, but when anyone refers to any of us as ma’am, lady, ladies, girls, or worse, a slur, we shout fuck you. It turns into a drinking game if we’re at the bar.”
Sarah beamed. “Oh, I like that.”
Bonnie chuckled. “The St. Pat’s parade can be a little dangerous.”
The tattooed bartender popped up and took our orders. While we waited, Marie introduced us to the fifteen or so people at the bar. Sarah broke off to mingle while I met the human Bonnie and Taylor.
“How’d your interview go?” Bonnie asked, her dark eyeswatching me closely as her long fingers tapped the side of her glass.
“Pretty good. There was a wolf in the interview, which made me feel a little more comfortable. He let it slip that I got the job, so now I’m just waiting on that call.”
Taylor gave me a stinging high five. “Congrats! So, you’re here to stay then?” She flipped her long, white-blond hair over her shoulder.
“Yep! Just a few more forms, and I’m free.”
Over the speakers, a classic Murphy Lee song started to play, and Bonnie laughed. “I haven’t heard this song in years.” Her afro bobbed as she got into the music.
“Hey, James! Can you play some Nelly next?” Taylor hollered at the bartender as Bonnie passed me a beer.
We didn’t get too deep into the St. Lunatics catalog before the pizzas arrived. And holy shit, that pizza was good—the crust was crunchy and soft, crushed red pepper flakes made the sauce a bit spicy, and the cheese made me feel things a person shouldn’t for food. And the meats . . . It was the pizza to end all pizza.
I was so wrapped up in my new love that I hadn’t noticed a silence fall over the table or all eyes turning toward me.
With a mouth full of edible heaven, I mumbled, “I’m sorry. What?”
FIVE
