Courtney might not be shouting from the rooftops that she’s a werewolf, but her genuine responses and raunchy jokes scream of a brutally honest nature.
As the Sip ’N Stitch meeting wraps up, everyone pays for their drinks and packs up their crafts. I carefully tuck away the tissue paper I was cutting before walking outside with Zoey and Courtney, smiling as the two of them debate glitter versus sequins. But when we get to the parking lot, my happy expression fades from my face at the sight of a werewolf waiting on a bike.
The guy isn’t Roderick, but his brother Warner. The man is handsome, with a teasing smile aimed at Zoey.
“Your chariot awaits!” he announces, offering a helmet.
Zoey faces Courtney and me with a blush and a smile. “Warner is giving me a ride. I’ll see you both around.”
My instinct is to grab her arm. To drag her away from the charming wolf.
It’s a mask. He’ll hurt you, the panicked voice whispers in my head.
I thought she was leaving town soon. Why is she looking at him like he’s something important to her?
“Juliet?”
The sound of my new name snags my attention, and I shift my gaze away from the flirtatious pair to find Courtney staring at me.
“Huh?”
“Did you drink too much? You look sick.” She presses a warm hand to my forehead. “You need a bucket to hurl in? I’ll find you one.”
The offer is almost enough to get me to laugh away my panic, but not quite.
“Sorry. No. Just … had a bad memory.”
Courtney looks from where Zoey is climbing on the back of Warner’s bike to me. The woman seems to understand more than I want her to.
“Did you know I rescue chickens?” she asks.
I blink, trying to make sense of her shift in conversation. “You what?”
“Chickens. I rescue them.” Courtney hooks her thumbs in the belt loops of her jeans. “They usually come from factory farms. They’re a mess when I get them.”
“Oh. That’s nice of you.”
“Yep. I’m a gods-damn angel.” She grins, then tilts her head toward the biker werewolf. The guy is whispering something to Zoey, and her face lights up with a grin, her eyes twinkling. “Warner helped me build the coops.”
“Um … cool.”Where is she going with this?
“Yeah. I didn’t even ask for his help. I just mentioned it, and he showed up the next day, ready to work.”
My eyes go back to Warner and Zoey, where the wolf is taking a moment to make sure my friend’s helmet is properly clipped under her chin. His hands are gentle, as if Zoey’s head is precious and requires delicate handling.
“You trying to tell me something, Courtney?” I murmur the question, though I think I’ve already picked up on what she’s putting down.
“Just that Warner helped me build a home for rescued chickens.” She shrugs. “Why? What did you think I was trying to tell you?”
I shake my head, even as a smile pushes at my cheeks. After a moment of hesitation, I make a decision. Maybe it’s a risk. But I’m tired of being scared.
“You know, I think I’d like to see those chicken coops one day.”
Courtney’s grin splits across her face, and her joy is almost too beautiful to behold. “I’d love to have you over. Anytime.”
And just like that, I’ve befriended another wolf.
16
