Page 43 of The World She Never Knew Existed

“Are we good?” Charlie asked. “Or should I plan on going home in the morning?”

“No, we’re good. I still love you. It’s just that my feelings are hurt. I’ll get over it,” Clara said. “Is there anything else that you haven’t told me?”

“Nothing that I can think of,” Charlie said. “Except that I’m the alpha tigress who rules over all the other tigers in the clan.”

“Really?” Clara asked.

“No, not really.” Charlie grinned. “I don’t even belong to a clan, although some shifters do.”

“Oh,” Clara said.

They talked for a while and Clara gradually got over her hurt feelings.

The next morning, Charlie was up early with Clara and went to the café with her. About ten, Dillon walked in with a stranger.

“Clara, Jamie, this is my best friend, Ethan. He is visiting from out of state for a while,” Dillon said.

“Ethan, this is my best friend, Charlene,” Clara said.

Holding out her hand, she said, “Everyone calls me Charlie.”

Clara could tell that Charlie was instantly smitten with Ethan. She could see why. He was over six feet tall with black wavy hair. He was as well built as Dillon, and had a ruggedly handsome face.

Apparently, Ethan was instantly taken by Charlie because he smiled widely and said, “Since we’re both new to the area, maybe we could explore the sites together.”

“That sounds like fun,” Charlie said.

“Should I pick you up at Clara’s house, about six?” Ethan asked.

“Yes,” Charlie replied.

Dillon looked as though he was choking on a laugh.

“Come on, Romeo. We have to get back to the store,” Dillon said.

He stopped by to say hello to Zeke and Reno before going back to the store.

After they left, Clara said, “I thought that you came to town to see me.”

“There is plenty of time to hang out with you,” Charlie said. “How could I pass up the opportunity to spend time with a hottie like Ethan?”

“Somehow, I suddenly feel like a second fiddle,” Clara joked.

Zeke and Reno came up to the counter.

“Can Dillon come over for dinner tonight?” he asked.

“Since your Aunt Charlie is ditching us, I don’t see why not,” Clara said. “Why don’t you go next door to ask him if he likes spaghetti, and if he does, whether he wants to come over and have some.”

Zeke and Reno disappeared in a flash.

“I see that Zeke really likes Dillon,” Charlie said.

“Yes. He thinks that the sun rises and sets on Dillon,” Clara said.

“He said that he loves spaghetti,” Zeke said. “So do I. It’s my favorite.”

“I thought that pizza was your favorite.”

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