“I wanted to invite you to The Howl. It closes at eight tonight, because we’re auditioning a band on the new deck for our summer band series. The deck isn’t going to open until June to the public, but it’s safe for us to be out there and jamming with a band to see if they’re a good fit.”
“You want to invite me to that?” she asked, her head tilting slightly.
“Yes. We could sit out on the deck and get to know each other.” When he saw the indecision in her eyes, he added, “I’d really like you to be there with me, Cassidy. Think about it. You know where the tavern is. I’ll be there.”
He smiled at her, hoping he didn’t look as feral as he felt, because his wolf was banging at him from the inside to get close to her.
“Hope to see you,” he said, then he walked away to his truck and drove off.
When he got back to The Howl he walked out to the deck, and found Luke, a bear shifter and part of the Five Pines Construction Company, tightening something on a railing.
“You sticking around for the band?” Trick asked.
“Not this time. Maybe the next band that auditions.”
Trick nodded and looked beyond the railing to the Pine Run River and Mill Creek beyond it. The sun was setting, the stars already appearing in the inky darkness above the amber and orange glow.
Luke put his wrench in his toolbox and snapped the lid shut. “All good for tonight. I’ll be back tomorrow with Colt. The inspector is coming tomorrow to give the all clear and we can move forward next week.”
“That’s awesome. Thanks, man. See you.”
Trick stood on the deck and watched the sun set, then went back inside, hoping that Cassidy would show up.
By the time eight o’clock rolled around and the main room was quiet, Trick stayed near the door, hoping to hear a car pull up. Outside on the deck, the band – a group that was made up of humans and shifters and played classic rock covers – was setting up.
Dare was out on the deck watching them.
Their server and line cook had gone home, and Sigh was in the kitchen with Juliette making food for everyone.
He was about to join his brother on the deck, when he heard the sound of tires on gravel and his heart jumped into his throat.
He opened the front door and saw Cassidy’s car.
She parked and got out, locking eyes with him across the parking lot.
For one second, everything inside him went very still. And then his wolf surged up and he had a hard time controlling the desire to howl in happiness.
“Hi, beautiful,” he said.
“Hi Trick.”
“I’m glad you came.”
She stepped inside and he pulled the door shut, twisting the lock to ensure no one tried to get in while they were closed.
The drummer clacked his sticks a few times, and then the first chords came through, and he saw Cassidy’s eyes light up.
“You like this kind of music?” he asked.
“Old school rock? Yes! My mom raised us on this and eighties hair bands. She had somewildstories. And she let me dress up like an eighties punk rocker when I was in elementary school for Halloween, spiked hair and heavy eyeliner. I loved it.”
“I love this kind of music, too,” he said. “I don’t know new music, because I only listen to stuff I know.”
“Me too.”
She smiled at him, genuinely, sweetly, and he wanted to fall to his knees.
“Are you hungry? Sigh is making burgers for everyone.”
