AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Her smile vanished, and her eyes flooded with tears.
I started to take a step backward. I hadn’t wanted to offend anyone—I was just looking for a job.
“What can I help you with?” the woman asked, her voice cracking.
“Um, I’m looking for a job.” I slipped my hands into the wolf’s fur so they wouldn’t fidget awkwardly, and Rocky brushed up against my side, trying to comfort me.
“Oh, honey. No one will give you a job with a hunting mate.” She wiped at her eyes quickly.
“I’ve realized that. I just really need money,” I admitted.
She frowned. “Rocco should have money saved for you.”
I blinked. “What?”
Glancing down at the wolf beside me, I realized his tail was wagging. He shot the woman a wolfy grin, and her lips curved upward the tiniest bit.
“I should introduce myself.” She stepped around the counter, wiping her hands on the worn jeans that covered her legs. “I’m Rocco’s mother.” She held a hand out as she approached me.
My eyebrows shot upward as I took it, and gave it a quick shake before letting go. “Shit. Shit, I shouldn’t curse. Dammit, I—“ I shut my mouth for a minute, and watched her lips curve upward further. “Sorry, I’m awkward. Social anxiety and whatnot.”
And whatnot?
What the hell was the whatnot?
Dammit.
“It’s refreshing. My older son’s mate was…” her voice trailed off, and her eyes watered. “Sorry. It’s still new. I—nothing prepares you for losing a child.” She fanned her watering eyes again.
“I’m sorry. Nothing prepares you for losing your parents, either.” My throat was tight and constricted.
Her eyebrows lifted. “You buried your parents?”
Oh.
Shit.
Dammit, I was terrible.
“No, uh, they’re not dead. They just sold everything and joined a cult, basically. Disowned me when I wasn’t willing to abandon life with them.” I scratched the back of my neck. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have compared that to your son. That was insensitive.”
Grief flashed in her eyes. “Loss is loss.”
Her gaze dropped back to Rocky, and lingered. “If you’re willing to work hard, my husband could use an extra pair of hands. He does home renovations and improvements.”
That sounded awkward, working with Rocco’s dad. Really awkward.
“Thanks, but I don’t have a vehicle right now,” I apologized.
Or the money to fix mine.
“I’m sure there’s enough in the cash stash. Elliot will know where it is—all of his pack members probably will.”
I bit my lip, but nodded.
“Here, let me give you my number, and my husband’s too. You can take some time to think about the job, and let us know,” she said, quickly. Turning, she grabbed a business card off the counter, and handed it to me. Though I was fairly confident I wouldn’t take the job for furry reasons, I couldn’t just shoot her down. Not when her eyes were watery and her son was my damned platonic, arranged husband.
“Thank you,” I said.
