We gathered around the table by the glow of the tree, and I leaned back, sighing. “It’s been one hell of a day,” I said. Killian and I filled Ari in on what had happened out at the asylum, and then I told them both what Tad had decided. “So, we’re spending tomorrow night there. I’m so not looking forward to this.”
“Do you think you really want to keep this job?” Ari said.
“I’ve been thinking that over ever since I left work. And I’ve come to the conclusion that yes, I like the job and want to keep it. I suppose I just hoped for a gentle immersion instead of being thrown in to sink or swim. By the way, he said we could bring friends with us.” I gave her a long look. “We could use some extra magical help.”
“No,” she said.
“If you take Friday off, I’ll make it worth your while. I’ll owe you a massive favor.”
She snorted. “I said—”
“What about if I invoke the best friend clause?”
She scowled. “I have work, too. I can’t just take the day off to go ghost hunting. Especially since I took Monday off. My clients depend on me—”
“When’s your last appointment of the day?” I wheedled. “What about coming out after work and staying for the evening?”
She finally caved, laughing. “All right! You wore me down. My last appointment tomorrow is at three. It’s a foil and highlight, so it will take me about two hours total. I’ll come out around 5:30.” She shook her head, taking a big bite out of her sandwich. “I can’t believe I’m agreeing to do this.”
Killian stared at me. “You’re seriously going to go out there and spend the night? Do you realize what the hell…” He stopped, then sighed. “Of course you know what you’re facing. This is your job. Well, I don’t have anything going in the afternoon. I’m looking at equipment in the morning that I might buy for the business, but I don’t have anything after that.”
“You don’t have to do this,” I said, forcing a smile. “I’ve already interrupted your week enough.”
“Tell you what,” he said. “Since you asked me to the carnival, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll come out to help if you would go to the Winter Cotillion with me. I want to immerse myself in this town’s goings-on. I want to become part of the community.”
I blushed, but inside, my heart leapt just a little. I tried to remind myself that he probably didn’t know any other women in town yet, so I was the convenient choice, but I couldn’t help but let out a little squee inside.
“I’d love to. Thank you. Ari’s going, too, aren’t you?” I glanced at her.
“Yeah, Meagan and I were going to the cotillion. Why don’t we make it a foursome?” She glanced at me, and I could see the smile she was suppressing.
I snickered. “Yay! That will give me a chance to reconnect with Mean Meg.”
“Don’t you dare call her that!” Ari said, waving her spoon at me. “Or I’ll tell Killian something embarrassing from your childhood.”
“I doubt if you could embarrass her more than she already has,” Killian said, a grin playing around the corners of his mouth.
“What do you mean?” Ari asked, straightening up, her eyes narrowing.
“I mean—”
“Don’t tell her! She’ll never let me live it down,” I said, brandishing my spoon.
“Tell me! Please! She’s making me come out and spend the night in a haunted asylum,” Ari said. “You don’t understand. January has tons of dirt on me and I don’t have enough on her!”
Killian gave me a wary glance. “Maybe I’d better not. She’s my neighbor, she knows where I live.” But his eyes were dancing again.
I sighed. “I would have told you anyway, in private. So, this morning I ran out back because I saw a wolf in the backyard, chasing a mouse. My robe fell open and…”
“And you don’t wear anything to bed, if I remember. And…” She glanced at Killian, who was staring at his plate, trying not to laugh. “Oh, I get it. So you’re a shifter?”
“Wolf shifter. I got a full frontal show.” He arched his eyebrows, then winked at me and went back to his sandwich.
I ducked my head, laughing. “Yeah, he saw me up close and personal. Well, at least he didn’t turn to stone.”
“Stop that,” Ari said, then turned to Killian. “She’s a looker, isn’t she? January’s my best friend and I know she’s mostly straight, so I’ve never made a pass at her. But I have eyes.”
Taken aback, I glanced at her. “I didn’t know I was your type.”
“Hell yes. And I don’t really have a type, though I prefer long hair. You’re gorgeous. I may be petite but it’s just my body’s setpoint. You’re beautiful, how many times have I told you that?” She paused, her smile fading. “I hate that Ellison filled your head with all that crap about being fat.”
It was my turn to sigh. I flashed a look at Killian, who was busying himself with his soup. “Yeah, I do too. It’s going to take me some time to shake it off, but I’ll try. My mother didn’t raise me to hate myself, and Aunt Teran would read me the riot act if she heard me bitching about my body. Thanks, chica. There’s a reason you’re my bestie.”
Killian cleared his throat. “I know some men can be assholes about body type, but really, for men who are worth having, what matters most is what you’re like, and self-confidence.”
I flashed him a sideways glance. He sounded like he was being genuine.
By the end of dinner, we had worked out a plan. Killian would drive out there to meet up with me at the asylum around noon, and Ari would join us by six. After dinner, he excused himself.
“I have a folder of forms I have to fill out for the city regarding my new vet business,” he said.
I waved good-bye to him and then, closing the door, leaned against it for a moment. “He actually asked me to the cotillion,” I said.
“He likes you,” Ari said.
“I don’t know what to think. I mean, I know he likes me. We got along great at lunch, and he’s going to the carnival with me, but…do you think he just wants a friend?” I asked. “Even if that’s all he’s looking for, I’m glad we’re neighbors.”
“No, he likes you. Mark my words, the man has staked a claim on you.” Ari carried the last of the plates into the kitchen.
As I rinsed them and stacked them in the dishwasher, she put away the leftovers.
“You make it sound like he peed on me,” I said, laughing.
“He might as well have. He’s a wolf shifter. Have you ever dated a shifter?” she asked.
I shook my head. “No, a few witches, and a couple humans. Ellison is as human as you can get, in the worst possible way.” I paused as my phone rang. Without checking to see who it was, I answered it. “Hello?”
“What the hell do you mean by destroying my convertible? I’m going to sue your ass off.”
Speak of the devil.
I grumbled. “Go fuck yourself, Ellison. We’re done. I took everything that was mine and we’re done. You got what you wanted, so quit being an asshole and leave me alone.”