Page 117 of Howlin’ For You

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

NICK

Her scent lingers on me. On my clothes, on my skin, in my memory.

In my sleep, I dream of the sway of her body as we danced. The way her fingers felt clasped around mine as we walked home together. The way her heartbeat quickened as we said our goodnights.

I slipped in that moment. Called her ‘petite copine’ just as my parents did, and their parents before them. I come from a family full of mated pairs, so much so that the pet name cemented itself in our history. The endearment has been in my family for generations, dating back to a time when my ancestors lived in France. It’s our tradition for a male wolf to call his mate that. If Izzy were to look it up, she’d just see that it means ‘girlfriend’—but it’s so much more than that.

It's far too soon to be using the pet name—especially since I haven't even clearly communicated my interest in her.

I really hope she doesn’t try to find it on the internet.

Despite the slip-up, I still have a smile on my face the moment I wake. I’m one step closer to showing Izzy that I can be the partner she needs, and one step closer to having my mate by my side.

I walk to the park in the middle of downtown, coffee in hand, ready to continue working on the stage. I started yesterday, but haven’t gotten far enough yet. The town’s anniversary is only a couple of weeks away, and if it weren’t for Izzy, I’m not sure where we’d be. No doubt Vale would’ve put me in charge of planning, and that would’ve been a disaster beyond anything I can comprehend.

I can’t let her down—not when she’s made my life so much more manageable by receiving my work calls and managing my schedule.

My shoulders feel lighter, I’m sleeping better, and I’ve got this spring in my step I’ve never had, especially not since the accident.

I pull out my phone to send her a text before I get to work. I’m happier than I’ve been in a long damn time, and I hope to the Goddess it just keeps getting better.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

ISABELLA

Nick: If you have any free time today, I’m working on the stage. Let me know if you want to help.

Itamp down my disappointment and continue with my morning, getting breakfast for myself. Not necessarily the text I expected after a forehead kiss goodnight.

It’s still an invitation, though. And I do need to put the timeline for the stage build into my spreadsheet.

Indecision gnaws at my insides as I nibble on a bagel. If I said I had too much on my plate with the event to stop by, he would understand. He may not even take it personally.

But the truth is…I’d regret it. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about how his hands felt on my body since last night, and in reality, the boundaries I was so set on are already trashed. I can either lean in and see what happens or permanently shut this down.

Isabella: I’ll bring the caffeine.

Guess I’m leaning in. With that, I put on my jacket and head outside.

Another beautiful day in Lunamois, another day I can pretend that I don’t have a loud, over-crowded apartment waiting for me in Seattle.

A life that doesn’t feel like mine.

I refuse to go down that rabbit hole. I’m enjoying myself for the first time in such a long fucking time, and I will not ruin it by focusing on the future. I refuse to do anything from this moment forward but enjoy the present. I’m going to enjoy the way the crunchy leaves feel under my boots and the camaraderie of the locals as they greet each other. I’m going to enjoy the little bell above the Tea Leaves door and Georgie’s giant smile.

“There’s my girlie pop!” she says as I approach the counter. “I got your pumpkin spice tea brewing.”

“Can I also have Nick’s usual? I’m going to stop by the park while he’s building,” I reply, a nervous little huff escaping me.

Georgie was there last night. Georgie saw the way we danced.

She raises an eyebrow but smiles and nods her head, not saying anything else. Thank God. I don’t know if I could take her questions right now when I’m so unsure of what’s going on, myself.

“Why don’t you take him a croissant, too?” she finally says, putting three croissants and a chocolate zucchini muffin in a bag and drinks in a to-go tray. “He didn’t grab breakfast here this morning and, knowing him, he’ll forget to eat.”

“Thanks, Georgie.”