Page 24 of So I Won a Werelion

Bibi le Bonnet had never looked more out of place in the beige cubicle farm that was the main floor of Woodhead Family Realty. She was wearing silver leather pants, over-the-knee boots with a heel that must have made her seven feet tall, a bright purple wig, and lipstick to match. Of course, there was a motorcycle helmet tucked under her arm.

But she wasn’t the most spectacular one in the room.

Gabe stood behind her. His long dark hair looked like it had been whipped in the wind, and his beard was a little longer than the last time I’d seen him. There was a tiny bit of gray threaded through it.

So hot.

He wore an army green T-shirt that hugged his muscles, and a pair of worn jeans that should’ve been illegal.

The skin around those green eyes crinkled when he caught me staring at him.

I’d been out with Gabe so many times as a teenager. And in my head, he was still that skinny, awkward kid. It could totally be a defense mechanism that I still pictured him that way. That the pictures and videos I’d seen in the last twenty years were someone else.

But right now, there was no denying he’d evolved into some sort of shifter god.

What was happening? Gabe had always been gorgeous, but this was a whole new ball game.

“Didn’t think I’d have to rescue a damsel in distress, but my job description says I do whatever it takes to change your life.” Bibi surveyed the office. “This is definitely a situation.”

Gabe stepped forward. Heat rolled off his body and I swear he was purring. The vibration did dangerous things to my lady parts.

“Ready for our date?”

“Thisis who your date is with?” Wanda snapped me back into reality. “I thought you quit the show.”

Bibi waved her hand. Even her nails were silver. “Our girl was down, but she wasn’t out. Talk about a comeback.”

“You’re back on the show?” Wanda sized up the situation, completely incredulous. She pointed at Bjorn. “He is not allowed to film in here.”

Gabe took my hands in his and leaned in close so only I could hear him. “Are you back? I know this was only supposed to be for tonight. But I could go for doing this a few more times with you.”

I should’ve been strong, responsible, and remembered all the reasons why I thought this was a bad idea. Like how Gabe had rejected me, and how the artifact in my bag had earned me a death threat before I’d even had it in my possession. ButI’d swear Bibi cast a spell when she walked in here, because I wanted nothing more than to go on this date with my best friend.

And two more before I returned to the stage to declare him my mate.

Damn the consequences. I was either gonna get myself killed or live forever, and no matter what happened, I didn’t want to spend any more time not knowing what it was like to kiss Gabe Wylde.

I’d only been thinking about it for twenty-five or so years.

“I’m back.” My body went numb as soon as I said it. I turned to Wanda. “I’m really sorry, but I quit.”

“What? No. You can’t just quit. We have this Ranchero Hills job. I need you.”

“The Mating Gameis a full-time job,” Bibi interjected. “By the end of this episode, your sister will have the life she’s always dreamed of. It wouldn’t hurt to be happy for her.”

Wanda wiped her hand over her face and groaned. “You’re too old for this nonsense.”

“That’s not how I see it.” Bibi sauntered from my sister over to Gabe and me. “Wendy’s in the prime of her life, and she desperately needs an infusion of excitement. Now if you don’t mind, we have serious work to do.”

I ducked back into my office, waving at my stunned former coworkers on the way. This wasn’t the first time I’d quit Woodhead Family Realty, but it was definitely the most dramatic.

Making sure the Sempiternal Scepter was tucked deep into my purse, I headed for the door.

Wanda charged after me, hands flapping in frustration. In the ongoing battle of Wanda vs. the shifters, this was going to be a hard loss for her to swallow. “Just so you know, your job won’t be waiting for you when this blows up in your face. If you walk out the door, it’s for good.”

“She won’t need to come back,” Bibi insisted. “She’ll be mated to this gorgeous cat and if she wants to sell real estate again, we’ll help her open her own office.”

The glittery goddess motioned for us to follow her. I didn’t look back.

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