AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I brought you some orange juice,” he says. He has been proving alligators really are awesome shifters, and I’m loving the benefits of being his friend.
“Thanks. How long do I have you today?” I ask, lifting the cup to my lips and taking a drink.
“I’m working at the store from three.” He frowns.
“Has Colt showed up there yet?” I go back to tending the lettuce. Although I don’t want to be thinking about him, it’s hard not to.
“No. He must not have recognized me at the lake or, hopefully, he’s decided to leave you alone.” He starts turning the soil in the empty pot.
“I hope you’re right.” I smile sadly.
He touches my arm. “It’ll be okay. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“You’re a real sweetie.” We look deep into each other’s eyes for a few seconds. Knox is like the piece I never knew was missing from my life. He fits so easily by my side.
“Don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation to uphold.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “If I’ve learned you’re a great guy already, I’m sure the people who know you best think it too.”
“Maybe. Or maybe you bring a different side out of me.”
Is he being nice, or is he flirting?
I can’t help but blush. It’s nice to have male attention. The kind that doesn’t make me feel bad about being myself. Knox is an attractive guy with his dark features and stubbled jawline. I never thought I’d be saying that about an alligator, but it’s true. “I like the idea of me bringing the good out in you. It’s like you have a secret side just for me.”
He clears his throat. “If you want to get to know the real me, why not come and work at the store with me today? Then you’ll see I’m a regular shifter with low aspirations.”
“Eat, work, sleep, repeat?”
“Something like that.” He chuckles.
If Colt hasn’t been to the store already, it’s probably okay to go back there, and it would be good for me to get out of the shelter for a while. “Okay. You’re on. I’ll be your camp follower for the day.” I’ve been spending too much time with Doc, and his military talk is washing off on me.
“Great. You’re going to look fabulous in the work uniform,” he jokes.
“I’m sure I’ve worn worse.” I liked going to the rallies and protesting about the environment with the humans. Some of the outfits I’ve agreed to wear there have been questionable. I can handle working in the store in any outfit. Plus, I’m excited to spend more time with Knox. Being out in the human world is what I wanted, and now I’m getting the chance to be myself. It feels right.
“See I can make anything look good,” I say, spinning to show off my new uniform.
He smiles. “What, even the potato chips on aisle five?”
I saw the boxes to restock while I was getting changed. I nod before going to retrieve them. It doesn’t take long for me to fill the shelves. “What next, boss?” I ask with a cheeky grin.
“If I’d known working with you would be this easy, I would’ve hired you months ago.” He nods, looking impressed.
“This isn’t your store, right?” The fixtures are plain and there are no personal touches. Other than the sudoku puzzle behind the cash register, everything is in its place. There are no family photos or home comforts.
“It belongs to my congregation.” He means the equivalent of his pack.
That makes sense, although I wouldn’t have guessed it. “Why don’t more of them work here?”
“Some alligators don’t like to mingle with the mundane.” He shrugs.
“This is sounding all too familiar. They’re not too different from the wolves.”
“In that way, I guess.” His lip twitches. Maybe he has more to say, but I’d prefer to keep this playful.
“You think you’re better than us or something?” I put my hands on my hips. I’m only messing with him, and he knows it.
