by Laura Del
“Fine,” he said through his teeth. “But then I woke up and saw this,” he unclenched his fist, and I saw the Tiffany’s box. I knew I had put it in the envelope to send back to Samuel, but I guess Mike was curious and decided to see what was inside. “And imagine my surprise when I find a note sayin’ that you had left with Stag.” When he spoke, I noticed that his teeth were sharper than normal, and his irises were rimmed in yellow.
“Easy there, Wolfman,” Stag said, touching his shoulder. Mike glared at him. “We just had some breakfast. There’s no need to go all wolf on us.”
“Breakfast?” he asked me, and he seemed to calm down a bit. “Why did you have breakfast together?”
“To celebrate.” I explained. “Samuel signed the divorce papers. Didn’t you see them?”
“No,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck as Stag let go of his shoulder.
“I left them on the coffee table so you could look them over and see if everything was in order.”
“Right,” he said calmly. “Sure.”
“And that’s my cue to leave,” Stag announced, pointing at himself. “I’ll see you both later.” With that, he walked to his car and within minutes, he was gone.
Turning back toward Mike, I noticed that he had a huge smile on his face, and I had a feeling that I was missing something. “What’s with the goofy grin?”
“I scared him pretty good, didn’t I?”
My mouth dropped open. “Michael Ray Wolf, are you telling me that was just an act?” he nodded, and I hit his shoulder. “That wasn’t nice.”
He laughed. “I know. But it was funny as hell. You should’ve seen your face.”
I genuinely smiled. “I cannot believe you just did that.”
“Well,” he managed to say through his laughter, “believe it.”
I could feel my face turn to stone as we walked into the apartment building. “It wasn’t funny, Mike. It was scary.”
He took a deep breath, getting himself under control. “Oh, bébé, I’m sorry. It was just a joke.”
I frowned, turning away from him. “Sorry doesn’t cut it,” I said sadly, placing my hands over my eyes.
“Oh, don’t cry,” he comforted, placing his hand on my shoulder. “I was only messin’ with ya.”
I pulled my hands away, turned toward him, and smiled. “Gotcha!”
“That was so not funny, Pat.”
I laughed. “It was to me.” As soon as those words were out of my mouth, my cell phone rang. I fished it out of my pocket as fast as I could, reading the caller ID. It was Tina so I answered it without thinking.
“Hey, Tina. What’s up?”
“Hello,” a male voice came over the line. “Is this Ms. Patricia Wyatt?” he asked with a slightly German accent.
My heart leapt into my throat. If something had happened to Tina, I couldn’t bear it. “This is she,” I answered, my voice having an edge of panic in it.
“Don’t be alarmed, Ms. Wyatt. I am Hebert Morris, Christina’s boyfriend.”
I sighed with relief. “Oh, thank God. For a minute there I thought something had happened to her.” Then I realized he must have had a very good reason for calling me. “How may I help you, Mr. Morris?”
“Please,” he spoke slowly, “call me Herb.”
“How may I help you, Herb?” I asked again, as Mike and I walked into our apartment.
“I would like to ask you a question,” he said, and I noticed he sounded awfully nervous.
I sat down on the purple couch as Mike shut the door. “Ask away.”
Mike turned around with a confused look on his face. “Who’s on the phone?” he mouthed.
“Herbert Morris,” I mouthed back.
“Oh,” he said softly, and then mimed that he was going to take a shower.
I gave him a thumbs up and a smile. There was a long pause on the other end of the phone, and I wondered if Herb had hung up. “Hello, are you there?”
“Yes,” he seemed startled by my voice. “I am still here.”
“Then what’s the question?”
“As you may well know,” he began, “Christina and I have been in a relationship a little over a month now, and I was wondering…well…I was wondering if you would give me your permission to marry her.”
What? A million questions went through my head, but the one I settled on was, “Why are you asking me?”
“Because you are her best friend, and she told me that I needed your blessing first before anyone else’s, including her father’s.”
That sounded like Tina. He father would have said yes to anyone, because he thought of her as an old maid. A “spinster,” as he called her. I was definitely the more practical of the two of us, even though I married Samuel on a whim.
However, Herb had just put this enormous weight on my shoulders, and I didn’t quite know what to do. So I asked the only question that I knew would matter to Tina. “Are you in love with her?”
“Yes,” he admitted quietly.
“Okay. Now let’s get down to the basics.” I was in a place of power and I was not going to relinquish it easily. “Do you have a job?”
“Yes,” he answered without skipping a beat.
“What do you do, and how much do you make?” I knew it was rude, but I needed to know that he was going to take care of the woman that I considered to be a sister.
“I am an architect, who owns his own company. And my net-worth is over forty-five million dollars.”
Holy shit on a shingle, Tina sure did have good luck. “Do you have any ex-wives or current lovers that I need to know about?”
“I had a wife once,” he paused for a second, “but she died over twelve years ago.”
Aw, poor man. “I’m so sorry to hear that. What did she did she die from, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“I don’t mind. She passed away from an enlarged heart. Eve was the love of my life, and I have tried going out with other women, but none of the relationships worked out. Until now. Christina is the best thing that has ever happened to me. She makes me whole again, and I never thought that would, or could, happen again in a million years.”
I smiled. They just didn’t make men like that anymore. “You have my blessing to marry Tina.”
“Thank you,” he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice. “Thank you very much.”
“Don’t thank me yet, because if you hurt her in any way, I will come after you.”
“I understand. It was a pleasure speaking with you, Ms. Wyatt.”
I smiled again. “Pat. And it was a pleasure speaking with you as well. You take care now.”
“Likewise,” he said. “Good-bye.”
“Bye.” After that, I hung up, placing my cell on the coffee table. Tina was getting engaged. That is, if she said yes.
“What was that about?” Mike asked as he came out of the bathroom soaking wet, with a towel wrapped around his waist.
“Tina’s getting engaged.” I told him, jumping off the couch to do a little happy dance. Mike laughed and joined in. We danced until his towel fell to the floor, and then I laughed so hard I fell backwards onto the couch.
Mike picked up the towel, wrapping it around his waist again. “I hope Chrissie will be as happy as you are.”
I took a deep breath, regaining my composure. “Me, too.”
“Speakin’ of the marital process,” Mike said as he walked into the bedroom. “What would you like to do in order to celebrate your freedom?”
I couldn’t tell him that what I really wanted to do was fly back to New York City and see Tina so we could celebrate together. But if I said that— hell, if I even mentioned that— he would have shot me down.
I shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess we could stay in and order something for dinner.”
“That sounds great, bébé,” he said, wal
king out of the bedroom. I whistled when he came out in a dark gray suit, white dress shirt, and red striped tie. He looked so great in suits, and I never understood why he didn’t like wearing them. “But right now,” he continued, “I have a job interview to go to.”
“I can see that,” I said, getting up off the couch and walking over to him. “When do you have to be there?”
He gulped when I placed my hands on his chest. “Twelve-thirty.”
“What time is it now, Mr. Wolf?” I asked, pulling on his tie.
“Nine-thirty,” he whispered against my forehead. I hadn’t realized that I had been gone that long. “But I want to get there early.”
I smiled up at him, biting my lip as I felt his heart beat faster under my hands. “I’ll drive you, and you’ll be there with time to spare.”
“So you’re keeping the car?” he squeaked, and I knew that he was all hot and bothered.
“For now. But if you put the ring back in the envelope, I’ll send that back right away.”
He nodded while I loosened his tie and started to unbutton his shirt. “I’ll do that.” He told me.
“Why don’t we go into the bedroom,” I whispered against his lips, “and go over those divorce papers?”
“Why would we—?” I interrupted him by going on my tiptoes and kissing him. “Oh,” he said as it clicked, and wrapped his arms around me. We walked into the bedroom together, and when we were laying on the bed, he said, “Listen, instead of orderin’ in, why don’t we go to this social gatherin’ tonight to celebrate further?”
“What kind of social gathering?” I asked, as I took his tie completely off, throwing it on the floor.
“A werewolf party,” he said carefully.
“Sure,” I agreed, and he looked stunned. “Whatever you say, Mr. Wolf.”
chapter
SEVEN
“How do I look?” I asked as Mike walked in.
I’d gone out while he was at his interview and bought something appropriately sexy for tonight’s werewolf festivities. It was an ivory cocktail dress with a sweetheart neckline and a blue ribbon tied at its cinched waist. It didn’t have that stiff and itchy crinoline underneath, so it floated naturally above my curves, while the skirt went down to about mid-calf. I paired it with a cream-colored cardigan, which was not nearly warm enough for outdoor activities, but I figured it would do when I started to dance.
The sales lady said that I looked like a brunette Grace Kelly, so that inspired me when I did my hair and make-up. I pinned my hair on both sides, making sure that the left side cascaded down my back while the right came over my shoulder in beautiful curls. My make-up was light and shimmery with just a hint of blush on each cheek, mineral powder for shine, and black mascara with a little eyeliner and a hint of green eye shadow.
Hey, just because I don’t like wearing the stuff, doesn’t mean I don’t know how to put it on.
Mike smiled as he shut the door. “You look amazin’. Are you wearin’ that tonight?”
“No, I’m wearing it for my own amusement,” I responded sarcastically. “Of course, I’m wearing it for tonight. Don’t you like it?”
“I love it,” he told me carefully. “But don’t you think it’s a little much?”
“I thought that at first,” I admitted. “But the last time they saw me, I was in a sweats and an oversized t-shirt. So I figured I might as well show them that I clean up well.” I smiled that smile I knew he loved. “Besides, I called Angel and she told me that she was wearing a dress, too.”
“Where’d you get the number?” he asked as he loosened his tie, walking into the bedroom to change.
“I went old-school. I found a phone book and looked up Big Bears. You didn’t tell me Angel was the owner.”
“I didn’t know until you just told me, bébé,” his voice was muffled, so I knew his shirt was over his head.
I snuck over to the bedroom, peeking through the slightly-opened door. His pants were still on, but his shirt, undershirt, shoes, and jacket were lying on the old wingback chair. I watched him as he took off his belt and pants with his back toward me. When his pants fell to the floor, he kicked them off, and I waited for him to take off his boxers. But he walked out of my line of sight before I could see. It was just as well. Seeing him naked always made me want to do things to him, and we didn’t have the time.
I walked back into the living room, sat on the couch with a flop, and checked the clock on the wall. It was seven-thirty already, and the party had started at seven. “So,” I said with a sigh, “how did it go today?”
Mike came out of the bedroom, looking as handsome as ever in his black polo shirt, dark wash jeans, and white Converse. It was funny how only my shoes were the chew toys when he turned into a wolf-man. “Well,” he said slowly, “I was gonna wait to tell you but…”
“But?” I asked, literally on the edge of my seat.
“I got the job,” he said matter-of-factly. Then he smiled, opening his arms for a hug.
I ran over to him, and he infolded me. He picked me up before I could protest and swung me around in the air.
I laughed, and when he put me down, I gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“Is that all I get?” he asked with a frown.
I pulled away from him. “Yes, because if we don’t leave soon, we will never get there.”
He sighed. “Fine.”
I had replaced my big purse with a small white clutch that Tina had gotten me for my birthday last year. I hadn’t had a chance to use it, and thought that tonight was the perfect time to try it out. So I grabbed the clutch off the coffee table, picked up my coat from the back of the chair, and walked out the door with Mike dragging his feet behind me.
We got to Big Bears around eight, and I sighed when I saw that the gravel parking lot was packed. It was beyond dark outside, but thankfully, they had put on the lights I could kind of see where I was going.
Angel told me that the party was out back, so I found a decent parking space, took a deep breath, and started to make my way behind the diner with Mike by my side.
“Are ya nervous?” Mike asked when we were half way through the parking lot.
“Nervous isn’t the word for it. Panicked: that’s much more appropriate.”
He shook his head. “They already love you, so just relax, bébé. No worries.” That was easy for him to say; he wasn’t the one who was potentially going to his doom.
As we made our way behind Big Bears, my heart thudded in my ears. But I was worrying for nothing, because as soon as we entered the party we were greeted with open arms.
I could finally breathe as I said hello to everyone, noticing that someone had gone through a lot of trouble to make the outdoor space as nice as possible. There was a large dance floor, a stage with a band, lanterns hanging from treetops, long tables, chairs, food, and tons of booze.
Slowly we moved amongst the wolves, making our way to a table with two empty seats by the stage. The band was playing a country song that I had never heard of, but it had a good beat to it, so it was easy to see why most of the wolves were dancing. I was smiling and placed my coat on the back of one of the chairs (it was plenty warm with all of the lights blazing) and before long I heard, “Hey there, fleshy girl.” That’s when I turned to see Angel pulling Stag toward us with one hand and holding a beer in the other. “Glad to see you could make it,” she said, smiling at me, and then she narrowed her eyes at Mike. “Hey, traitor.”
Mike sneered at her, and I had a feeling that I was missing something important. “Hey yourself,” he snapped, and I could feel my face scrunch up in confusion.
“Both of you play nice,” Stag demanded, but they still glared at each other.
“Is there something going on between you two that I need to know about?” I asked, waiting for an answer.
Of course, Stag was the one to open his m
outh and tell me. “They were a couple once,” he whispered to me. “A long time ago.”
I nodded. “I see. You look great tonight, Angel,” I said, changing the subject before there was bloodshed.
“You like it?” she asked, letting go of Stag’s arm so she could do a twirl. She wore a sleeveless black mini-dress with a plunging neckline, a crisscrossed back with no bra, and a pair of five-inch black stilettos that looked uncomfortable as hell. Her shiny black hair was down and so straight that it hugged her body all the way to her waist.
“Yes,” I answered after a good look. “I do.”
She turned, smiling at me. “You look good, too.”
“Thank you,” I yelled over the sudden increased music volume.
“Do you dance?” she asked loudly, and I nodded.
“Yes, I love dancing.”
“Well,” she said, setting her beer down on the table, “come on then, fleshy girl.” She grabbed my arm, pulling me on the dance floor. “Let’s see what you got.”
I looked over at Mike, and he shrugged. Great help he was.
Angel pulled me over to where the band was playing and asked them to play something faster. They obliged as she dragged me to the middle of the dance floor without hesitation. Finally, the music started to pick up and Angel began to dance like she was a stripper and I was the pole.
I was a little stunned at first. That is, until I looked over at Stag and Mike sitting at the table. They were both laughing their asses off, pointing at me like little children.
Some joke, I thought. I’ll show them.
And I did.
As soon as Angel stood up, I started to move with the music. I put my arms over my head, rocking my hips to the rhythm, doing the most provocative dance that I knew. Angel just stood there for a minute, watching me, and when I glanced over at the boys their smiles were replaced with a looks of shock. I threw my head back and laughed, and Angel joined in.
We danced together, our bodies moving and flowing with each other as if we were made of some sort of liquid. When the song ended and another one began, I was all-too willing to dance with Angel again. However, someone tapped me on the shoulder.
