Page 18 of The Patron Saint of Timber Hollow

When Ivy's eyebrows lower, I know she's about to cut me off and say that I'm wrong or looking into it too hard or something else equally untrue, so I say, "Oh, I'm just teasing. Dante's a good egg. I think he likes you since he's barely around anymore."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Since we moved into the Cabin, he's been notably absent. It's like every time I turn around, he's just gone, but I'll look at Jay, and he'll smirk and say, 'Ivy,' and that's it." I shrug again, grappling with words. "I think you two would be a good match, regardless of the species differences."

Ivy looks like she's going to say something for a whole minute before sighing and saying, "Well, we're just friends, and that's not changing anytime soon."

"Even with your extracurricular tangos of the horizontal nature? Is it horizontal? Vertical?Diagonal?"

"Even with that." She agrees, smirking.

"Does he take you out on his bike?"

"Mhm."

"I bet that's hot."

Ivy grins, a more wolfish smile than a Bear should be capable of. "You have no idea."

I laugh, but then she says, "Hey, while you're here," fishing around her desk for …something.

"Yes, I am here," I answer lamely, wondering what she's up to.

Finally, her hand reappears with a small key ring, four brass keys dangling from it. "These are yours."

"No, I don't think so," I reply, taking the keys from her to examine them more closely.

Ivy snorts, then says, "They are. They are for the bar." She finishes softly, giving me a small smile.

My jaw drops, and unexpected tears spring to my eyes. "Oh."

"I trust you. More than I trust most people. I know if I need you, you'll be there. And I know you love this place just as much as me. So, how about maybe managing?"

"Ivy, I.. don't know what to say."

"Say yes. It's no big deal; you handle the bar like you manage it. Take the title already, for fucks sake," Ivy jibes, a warm smile spreading across her face.

Laughing, I kneel before her, place my hand on my chest, and say in the deepest, knightly voice I can muster, "It would be my honor."

Ivy bursts out laughing, making me lose control of my own giggles.

Sam has no trouble picking up the dance moves, which doesn't surprise me. She's a natural here. I know that her little marketing brain is already brewing new ways to bring in the clientele of Coyote Bills. She and I are framed by Ivy and Angel, and the choreography of Fire Night guides our bodies in sync on top of the flaming bar.

George, as always, is behind the bar, handing out bottles between our legs, a bucket of water to toss on unruly patrons if needed, and an extinguisher at the ready. Cook had recently pointed out to him,very loudly, that using water to douse an alcohol fire was asking for a disaster. There is also a new fire blanket tucked behind the bar.

Laying my head back on Sam's shoulder, I sway my hips, gripping Ivy's hips to keep us in sync, just like Sam grips mine, Angel hers.

Having Sam here, with my pack, just feels right. She fits in with the boys, with Ivy, and, of course, Aggie loves her. It's been a long time since Timber Hollow truly felt like home, but since being back, that's changed. And now, with Sam here, it's like everything is coming together for me.

Artemis Leto Hunt finally has her life together; who would have thought?

The boys hover around the end of the bar, where the Slap Shot booth will reopen after the routine and the bar is cleaned. With half-lidded eyes, I watch Jay as I do the routine. I should be careful, but even I can't help the way my eye wanders to Saint every now and again, like when he throws an arm still golden with his summer tan over my boyfriend's shoulder, grips him by the back of the head and says something that makes the both of them laugh.

And then, I'm just imagining being between Jay and Saint like I'm between Sam and Ivy right now. And maybe, just maybe, my hips sway a little more sauce, shoulders shimming with just a hint more seduction.

A girl can have her fantasies, right.Right?

A wolf certainly can.My wolf surfaces, her golden eyes watching. Always watching lately. Watching and waiting.