Page 2 of Gift Wrapped

“I’m going to work, Chad. You know that thing that only I do,” I verbally jab at him as I grab my purse. “This isn’t a discussion. We are done. When I get back, don’t be here.”

“And if I am?” he challenges.

I’m not stupid. I may be a big, beautiful beast when I shift, and I can cause some serious destruction, but a black bear is going to fuck me up. I won’t be threatening violence because I know it won’t work. There is only one thing that can put a wannabe alpha idiot on his ass.

“I’ll call your mother.”

I don’t wait for him to respond as I stride out of my apartment and slam the door behind me.

“Good for you,” Mrs. Anderson from 208 smiles as I make my way down the stairs. “I never liked that one.”

“Sorry for the noise,” I blush.

My neighbors have been forced to put up with our escalating arguments and I feel terrible about it. At least now that will also come to an end and I can finally face them again.

“Nothing to apologize for, dear. I’m just glad you finally kicked his butt to the curb.” She is wearing one of the ugliest Christmas sweaters that I have ever seen, with a blinking red Rudolph nose.

I laugh at her sentiment and her sweater. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. “Want me to bring you something from the store on the way home Mrs. A?”

“Nothing today, dear, but we need to have dinner after Christmas. I have a craving for your meat lovers’ lasagne.”

“Definitely.” I smile and wave as I leave. I need my coffee fix and then to get to the office. As it is, I’m cutting it pretty close. Luckily, my favorite coffee shop is on the way to the office.

“What’s up, buttercup?” Damian, the barista at Serendripity, calls as I walk in.

“I need a macchiato, stat. I’m going to be late for work.”

“Gotcha.”

He moves fluidly behind the counter. He is super-efficient and he will have my order ready in less than no time. Sometimes I wonder if there is something a little supernatural about him, but I can’t just come right out and ask, you know? It’s a big no-no for a supernatural creature of any kind to out ourselves to any human. People tend to eradicate anything they don’t understand, and people definitely won’t understand the existence of the supernatural.

I take in the beautiful Christmas decorations in Serendripity. It’s a smaller chain of coffee shops that have steadily been opening across the country. The Christmas tree is massive, with all kinds of gold and red trinkets hanging on its branches. Fairy lights flash in various colors and Christmas jingles play through the overhead speakers. I love this time of the year. Even now that both my parents have passed, I still feel like a little kid when it comes to Christmas.

“Tell me before you leave,” he says, drawing my attention back to him but holding the lifesaving caffeine just out of reach, “What has you glowing this morning? You finally get some good D?”

Did I mention I over share? A lot. But then again, so does Damian. We have become gossip friendly over the counter while I wait on my daily order. He knows about me and Chad and how unhappy I have been. He has been there with friendly advice but never says anything that may be held against him if I decided to stay with Chad.

“I kicked him out.” I can’t stop smiling.

“Finally!” he does a little happy dance behind the counter before handing over my drink. “So?”

“So what?” I take a sip and hum in satisfaction.

Coffee is life!

“Are you on the prowl now?”

I burst out laughing. “I’m not a cougar, you know?” It slips out before I can stop it.

“Of course.” He looks offended that I would say such a thing. “You’re too young for that.”

I breathe a sigh of relief that he took it as a slang term and not literally.

“But,” he grins widely, “we do need to get you some big dick energy. The kind that knows what they are doing.”

“Oh. My. God!” I gasp and look around to see who may have heard, but the coffee shop is unusually empty at this time of the morning.

“Don’t look so scandalized. We both know you need it.” He disappears beneath the counter, and I can hear him rummaging around. “My bestie swears this company is the reason why he walks funny.” Damian grins as he hands over a business card.

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