“Are you hungry? There’s mac and cheese in the fridge.”
“I’m good, thanks.”
Cass leaned against the counter and watched as her sister scrubbed at a pot.
“You okay? You look weird.”
“Yeah.”
Lauren gave her a questioning look.
“Fine, I’m not actually okay, but I’m going to pretend like I am until I figure things out.”
“That sounds healthy and well-adjusted,” Lauren said, rolling her eyes. When Cass didn’t elaborate, Lauren probed more. “Tell me what’s going on.”
She pondered her words, rubbing her finger along the edge of the laminate countertop. “I met someone.”
Lauren rinsed off the pot and put it on a drying mat, then turned off the water. Facing Cass, she said, “Who?”
“His name is Trick.”
“What?”
“It’s short for Patrick.”
“Ah. So where did you meet this Trick?”
“The Amber Howl.”
Lauren’s expression changed from curious to concerned. “So, he’s a shifter?”
“A wolf.”
“When did you meet him?”
“Last night.”
The pause was significant and she could feel the blush creeping up her neck.
“Cassidy.”
Lauren’s tone made her feel like she was a teenager being scolded for missing curfew.
“Don’t go all momma-bear on me, you’re my sister.”
“But I’m older than you, and I know a few things. You met a guy last night, and you’re mentioning it to me so I’m going to go out on a limb and say you slept with him.”
There went the blush straight up to her cheeks.
“I’m not a kid.”
“I know how old you are. And I’m not judging you, but I am concerned about you.”
“Because he’s a wolf?”
“Because you met him last night and had sex with him. Wolves are intense, you know. Reckless. They’re ruled by their beast natures.”
That seemed entirely at odds with Trick, the guy who’d made her see stars, then snuggled her like he could have laid there in bed with her forever and been perfectly content.
