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“Oh, shut up, I’m totally great at fixing people up.”
“Uh huh,” Chris said, shaking his head. “You think you are, but you’re not. Em will find the right man when she’s supposed to. You can’t rush fate.”
Amy huffed. “Fine. But you could at least ask Darrell to take you to the wedding. He’s going.”
Darrell was one of three police officers in town, and two years older than Em. They’d dated briefly in high school, when she’d been a wide-eyed freshman and easily flattered by the good-looking star quarterback. He’d been a player back then, though, and from the rumors swirling around town, he hadn’t changed his tune.
“Hard pass,” Em said. She tossed the dish towel into the tub on the floor. “Chloe said there’s going to be some single guys there from Tommy’s new job, so who knows what might happen? And if I walk away from the wedding with a nice buzz from free champagne and nothing else, that’s okay, too.”
“If I see a cute, single guy, though…” Amy said.
“Send him my way. But don’t give him my number.”
“Promise.”
She chuckled as her mom looked out at the shop again. No sexy Prince Charmings in sight.
But she’d find him. Someday.
* * *
So much had changed in the pride in the last month that Diesel hardly recognized it. Last weekend, Duke had officially taken over as alpha, along with his human heart-match Ree. She was the first human alpha female in the pride’s history, likely the first one for any lion pride ever. The pride laws relating to member’s mates had been changed, allowing males and females to mate freely with whoever they chose – whether they were different types of shifters, humans, or other paranormal beings. No matter what their mate could or couldn’t shift into, they would be welcomed into the pride as members. A pride family had tried to keep that from happening, but they’d been exiled, and all seemed to be settling down once more.
“Man, I forgot how boring it is to sit out here all shift,” Titus said, rolling his neck as he took a human male’s ID, gave it a quick look and handed it back. “Head on in, man.”
“Thanks,” the man said.
“You get used to it,” Diesel said.
“Well, I’m glad you’re happy to do it. And I’ll be doubly glad when we find someone to pick up Saturday nights for Barron.”
Barron had been given the choice of weekend nights off to spend with his new mate Mercy, and he’d picked Saturdays. They were a little short-staffed for bouncers, and Titus had put an ad online and on social media.
“Any bites on the job post?” Diesel asked.
“A few. I’ve got interviews next week, so we’ll see. No one in the pride wants to do it. Especially since we’re heading toward fall and then winter and colder temps.”
“That makes it a little uncomfortable out here, but at least we’re not as affected by the cold as humans.”
“Good point.” Titus glanced at his phone. “You ready for break?”
“Sure.”
“Send Hemi out here.”
“He says he’s keeping track of how often he has to stand in for me on break and he’s going to call all those favors in some day.”
Titus chuckled. “Better you than me, brother.”
Diesel snorted and walked into the bar, heading straight for the counter. “I’m taking a break.”
Hemi, who was a huge male even by shifter standards, arched a dark eyebrow. “And?”
“You know what that means. Titus is out there waiting.”
“I’m keeping track,” Hemi said, tapping the side of his head. “I’ll be calling in favors for years from this.”
“You should be keeping tabs on the favors for Barron. He’s the reason you have to fill in on Saturdays.”
