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She was about to decline when her phone buzzed in her hand again. One glance told her a second anonymous text had come through.
Fuck!Maybe having a date with her best friend's father was the lesser of two evils. At least she wouldn't go home, drink herself silly, have a cry and finally give in to her ex's pleading messages. She had done that once or twice and always ended up regretting it.
At least this way she might have a little less regret in the morning.
“Just one,” she announced, and was surprised when Mr. Leafson pulled out the stool for her to return. As she took it, she smiled and said, “Thank you.”
“You're welcome,” Mr. Leafson responded, taking the stool beside her. “Nice boots, by the way. I wouldn't have expected they'd be your style.”
Kayla's heart skipped a beat. “They…they aren't. They were brought for me by…a friend.”
She most definitely didn't feel right mentioning his daughter right now. She grabbed her wine glass and drained the rest of its contents, feeling even more self-conscious. Was she at risk of losing her job if she made herself look like a total alcoholic tonight?
“Eddie, I'll have a whisky and whatever the lady would like,” Mr. Leafson announced to the bartender, and Kayla's heart fluttered. She had never been described as a lady before.
“Just another glass, please, Eddie,” Kayla said and swiftly added, “Just a small one this time.”
Mr. Leafson looked at her with a half-smile and she couldn't help but blurt, “What?”
“Kayla, there's no need to be so uncomfortable. You see me every day at work.”
A lump formed in Kayla's throat. She glanced down at her hand where she had absentmindedly been playing with the hem of her little black dress.
“That's work. This is…is a…” Kayla stuttered, feeling like a total idiot.
“You can say it,” Mr. Leafson smirked back at her. It was a devastatingly charming smile that made Kayla's heart skip several beats. She had to clench her teeth and tighten her thighs to stop from swooning. “A date. Mr. Leafson, this isn't appropriate.” She glanced down again.
He leaned in a little closer and whispered, “I'm your boss. I know. But who says coworkers can't have a quiet drink together?”
And you're my best friend's father!She wanted to scream the words at him, but she already felt foolish enough, so she kept her mouth closed.
“Kayla, you don't need to look so terrified. I am not going to take you home and ravish you,” Mr. Leafson scowled at her, and the words caused a whole heap of images to rush into Kayla's mind, all of which she most definitely shouldn't be thinking about.
She wasn't sure how it was even possible, but her face grew even hotter.
“And for wolf god's sake, call me Lance, please!”
Kayla's only relief was her wine glass being filled again. Suddenly, she didn't care how she looked. She grabbed the glass and swigged again. She was a werewolf, after all, and so was he. They could both handle their liquor.
“Lance, if I had realized you were WolfMan78, I never would have suggested we meet,” Kayla said, horrified at the thought it had actually been his own daughter who had set up the meeting. There was no way she could have known, either. Surely? It didn't bear thinking about.
“Kayla, would you just relax?” Lance suggested. He laid a hand on her shoulder, and it took everything in her not to flinch away—not because it felt wrong, but because it was quite the opposite. The warmth of his touch sent a tingle down her spine. It had been so long since…
No! Stop it!
“Kayla? Are you alright?” Lance asked, and she realized he was looking at her with concern.
Her chest tightened. She had wandered off in her mind, thinking on how desperately she needed to feel something physical. Sarah was right. It had been too long. But there was no way in hell she was goingtherewith her boss!
“I'm sorry. I think I should go.” Kayla bounced off her stool so fast she almost slipped in those stupid red boots that were far too high. How the hell was she supposed to walk out of there without looking like a total moron? She was going to throttle Sarah in the morning.
“Are you walking home?” Lance asked, but before she could answer, he added, “Let me walk you.”
Silverdale was a small place. Most people walked everywhere even though most people had vehicles of some sort. Kayla wasn't one of those people. She walked everywhere, even in stupid six-inch heels.
“I'm a werewolf. I can take care of myself. Thank you for the drink.”
Before he could protest, Kayla turned and hurried remarkably well out of the bar, even more glad that the only people in there save for Eddie were all too drunk to notice her wobbling. All save for Lance, who she felt watching her all the way out of the door.
