Page 36 of Rejected Plus-Size Mate

"Morning," I said, tilting my head and taking in his pajamas. He was wearing little snowmen on his pants and a plain white shirt. "Very festive."

He snorted. "A gift from Wendy."

I laughed

"What are you doing? Did I hear you talking to someone a moment ago?"

I nodded. "I was talking to April. She was just asking how I was."

His eyebrows went up. "And what did you tell her?"

I suddenly felt a little embarrassed. I had decided to stay, but I didn't know how long Cayden was going to allow me to stay at his house. It was something I should have asked him first.

"I was telling her that I might stay here. Permanently."

He looked a little shocked, and his eyebrows went even higher. "Really?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I'm fond of Honeyville and the people in it. And while I know I'm staying here, you probably don't want me here much longer…"

He quickly shook his head and stepped into the room. "Riley, you are welcome to stay as long as you want. I'm not kicking you out."

I was a little relieved, and I smiled. "Thank you. I promise it shouldn't be long. Just until I figure some things out."

"You are welcome as long as you need it." He rolled his shoulders. " So, I was just about to go for a run. Do you want to join me?"

I hadn't gone out for a run since before the incident, and I should. I needed to get my muscles moving again.

"Yeah, let me change, and I'll be ready."

I changed quickly and found Cayden waiting by the front door. He was wearing long sweatpants and a long-sleeved shirt. It was tight-fitted, and my mouth watered at the sight of it. Flashes of us tangled up in the woods hit my mind, and my face grew hot.

"You okay?" he asked, looking at me concerned.

I nodded, searching for shoes. "Yeah, just excited is all. Really look forward to running."

You lying sack of shit. My wolf growled at me.

I shook her away and tied my shoes. Now was not the time to get myself all hot and bothered.

We left and headed out for the run, taking a route I'd gone on before. It went through most of downtown, which blocked most of the wind. It was refreshing, and everywhere still had Christmas decorations, which was beautiful to look at once more before everyone took them down.

We stopped at a stop light, and I paused to catch my breath. I panted hard, sucking air in.

"Little out of shape?" Cayden teased.

I turned to hit him and paused when my eyes caught on a help-wanted sign in a window. I leaned to the left, fully taking the building in. It was a small sign, but it did say help wanted.

Cayden turned, looking at where I was. "Oh, looks like they are looking for help."

"What is it?" I asked, seeing a slide and drawings on a wall.

"It's a daycare. I think Ashley and Wendy have their kids go here."

I walked closer, peering inside. There was a large room with toys in pins and mats laid out in another spot. It was clean and organized, but I hadn't imagined it would always look like that.

"Wonder what they are looking for."

Cayden walked over and peered at the sign. "Looks like they are looking for a manager. I think Wendy said they were having a hard time finding one. She said that the manager was supposed to help with the kids as well, and the past ones they've hired refused."

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