Page 21 of Her Shifter Pack

“I’m sure I would,” I managed before pushing the tray off my lap. “I need to run to the bathroom, sorry.”

“Cool,” Ollie said, hopping to his feet and racing ahead of me to the door. “I’ll go get ready, and we can fetch your things.”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

Ollie left and I hopped out of bed, tugging the shirt down as far as possible, then racing for the bathroom.

I couldn’t hear any other noises in the house, so I had to assume that Markus had gone out for the day.

Probably off chasing one of the many women he was talking about last night.

When I got back to my room, I slid on the fresh clothes from my bag. I was a little cold, but at least I’d packed fresh underwear.

When I grabbed my bag and walked out into the hall, I heard Ollie call out, “Hey, Lexie! Wanna swing by the diner and see if we can get your pay as well?”

Damn, I would love that! But... “Not sure my boss will be in today.” He probably would be, but the last thing I wanted to do was confront him.

Made me sick to my stomach to think about dealing with him, especially after the scene I’d caused last night.

I trotted down the stairs and shivered at the cool breeze coming in the open front door. “Damn... didn’t pack a sweater.”

Ollie immediately turned and picked up a hoodie that was sitting folded on the back of the couch. “I thought you might need one. Not sure it’ll fit, but at least you’ll be warm.”

It fit better than it should have. It was big in the shoulders, but too tight around my hips.

I tugged at it self-consciously. “I hope I don’t stretch it for you. My ass is too big, and my hips are rather wide. I’m sorry.”

Ollie snorted. “You’re fucking perfect. Don’t worry about any such nonsense.”

It was the first time I’d heard him swear, and although it almost sounded odd coming from him, the rest of his words certainly had the impact he’d aimed for.

I was stunned. “Ah...”

“Let’s go,” he said, swinging his car keys around his finger in a loop. “We can go get your stuff, then chill for a while. Take-out for dinner, maybe?”

I nodded in agreement as we walked out the front door and toward his truck. I felt as comfortable in his presence as if we’d been dating for years instead of having known each other less than twenty-four hours.

I wasn’t sure what to make of the easy camaraderie, and I wasn’t ready to ask him, in case that popped the illusion like a bubble.

I hopped in the car, toasty warm thanks to the hooded sweatshirt I wore that smelled of Ollie.

“So, where to?” he asked, turning on the engine.

“Oh, yes. An apartment on Castle Road.”

“Great.”

Ollie drove and I directed, and fifteen minutes later we were standing outside the rundown restaurant that I called home. Or had, for the last twelve months.

“I...” I swallowed hard. “I’m not one hundred percent sure he’s going to let me in.”

“Because of the owed rent?” Ollie asked, seeming a little nonplussed.

I nodded, my stomach twisting. I hated admitting that I was behind and failing at such a basic life skill as paying my own bills. Ollie was successful. He had a good job. A house. He probably wouldn’t understand what it was like to have nothing.

My cheeks heated with shame, but Ollie didn’t seem judgmental in any way. He just turned to me and said, “Well, let’s go see, shall we?”

He took my hand and little frissons of electricity skittled across my skin.

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