Page 180 of Howlin’ For You

“I don’t enjoy engaging in social situations,” he says, picking an invisible piece of lint off his shoulder. “But I will if it is for the betterment of this town.”

“Of course.”

“And for what it’s worth,” he says, taking a cautious step forward. “I do agree with them. If you would like to stay in Lunamois, I would be very honored to offer you a job with the mayor’s office in relation to event planning and community outreach.”

The world stops spinning.

“You... want to offer me a job?”

He nods, shoulders as rigid as ever. “Yes. Please let me know within forty-eight hours. My new assistant has made it very clear that this job is now a necessity, and if I don’t fill it quickly, she will poison my lunch.”

Despite the heaviness of the day, the heaviness of Nick, the heaviness of this job offer—I chuckle just a little. “She sounds like a ball-buster.”

“She is.” His nose wrinkles. “And it is infuriating.”

“I’ll let you know within forty-eight hours, then, Mr. Mayor.”

“Do.”

And that’s that. He turns on the heel of his expensive shoe and practically sprints back to his office.

Leaving me behind with the most perfect job offer I’ve ever imagined, and the most broken heart I’ve ever had.

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

ISABELLA

It doesn’t take long to pack a bag and hop into my car, beginning the drive back to the city first thing in the morning. According to my GPS, it should take about two hours with traffic.

I refuse to admit that I’m sneaking out of town with my wounded tail between my legs. But I still avoid Main Street completely, choosing instead to wind through the neighborhood streets to get to the main state route. The autumn air twirls through the open window, filling the car with the scents of a lazy Lunamois morning.

The scents of what I now thought of as home.

With each inch of distance I put between me and this town—me and Nick—the gaping hole in my chest widens.

With each inch of distance, I just want to go back.

With each inch of distance, I don’t feel like I can.

With each inch of distance, my indecision grows until it swallows me whole.

Nick has wounds on his heart from losing the people he loves. I have wounds on mine from the way I was raised. Just because we’re soulmates doesn’t mean that I can get past this on a whim and a prayer.

As I put more space between us, I’m able to step away from the heightened emotions that ruled me yesterday. Nick wasn’t being malicious. I believe that.

He just went about it horribly.

I need him to understand that I felt unwanted, and for him to genuinely apologize for it. But part of me still wants to work through this.

And not even because he’s my mate or whatever. But because it’s Nick.

Nick, who made me feel like I was enough until he didn’t.

Nick, who unlocked a confidence in me I never knew existed.

Nick, who showed me how to ask for what I need.

I replay our first meeting in my head as I drive the first half hour.