Page 23 of Grin and Bear It

“Sometimes. Other times it’s twelve hours in a car with cold coffee and a numb backside.” She studied him curiously. “Do you actually enjoy all this?” She gestured around his expansive office.

Something flickered across his face—a brief glimpse of unexpected candor. “Not all of it. The politics, the posturing—I could do without those. But building something, seeing plans come to life, creating jobs...” He shrugged. “That part matters.”

TWENTY-FOUR

Thora hadn’t expected depth from him. The bear shifter continually surprised her.

Before she could respond, the office door burst open, and a slender woman with honey-blonde hair breezed in without knocking.

“Artair! There you are!” Her face brightened with a warm smile. Even without the family resemblance, Thora would have recognized Bryn Maxen from the exuberance Artair had mentioned.

“Bryn,” Artair’s professional mask softened into genuine affection. “What brings you here?”

Instead of answering, Bryn turned curious eyes to Thora. “You must be the sabertooth who tackled my brother!” Her expression contained nothing but delight. “The whole town’s buzzing about it. I almost wish I’d been there to see it.”

“It wasn’t my finest moment,” Thora admitted.

“Are you kidding? It’s legendary! No one stands up to Artair. Everyone’s too intimidated.” Bryn extended her hand. “I’m Bryn, though you probably guessed that.”

Thora shook it, surprised by the firm grip. “Thora Halliwell.”

“Love your jacket,” Bryn said, eyeing Thora’s worn leather with genuine appreciation. “Very rebel-with-a-cause. Do you ride?”

“Motorcycle’s in the shop. Your magical barrier did a number on my carburetor.”

Bryn laughed. “The town wards can be temperamental. Sorry about that.”

Thora found herself warming to Artair’s sister despite her determination to keep all Maxens at arm’s length. Bryn’s smile seemed genuine with none of the calculation she’d seen in the corporate boardroom.

“Not to be that person,” Bryn said, glancing between them and the golden tether, “but this whole magical connection thing is absolutely wild. How’s it going?” She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

“It’s not going anywhere,” Thora said firmly. “It’s a temporary mishap.”

“Mm-hmm.” Bryn’s knowing expression suggested she didn’t believe that for a second. “Well, that’s actually why I’m here. Grandma Eira wants you both at dinner. Tonight. One hour.”

Artair frowned. “Bryn, we have a situation to deal with. I need to get Thora settled somewhere and?—”

“No excuses,” Bryn cut him off cheerfully. “Her exact words were ‘Bring the sabertooth girl to dinner, or I’ll come collect her myself.’ You know she’ll do it.”

Thora glanced between them. “Who’s Grandma Eira?”

“The Maxen family matriarch,” Artair explained, resignation coloring his tone. “My grandmother. And the most formidable bear shifter in three counties.”

“And you do not want to disappoint her,” Bryn added. “Trust me.”

Thora sighed. “Great. Dinner with the bear clan. Just what I needed after a day of corporate hell.”

“Think of it as an upgrade. Grandma makes the best honey cakes in town.” Bryn looped her arm through Thora’s as if they were old friends. The casual contact startled Thora, who typically maintained strict personal space boundaries. “Plus, I need details on your bounty hunting career. It sounds way more exciting than my nonprofit work.”

“You run a nonprofit?” Thora asked, genuinely curious despite herself.

“Children’s literacy foundation. Less adrenaline-pumping than chasing down criminals, but fulfilling in its own way.” Bryn’s eyes twinkled. “Though I bet you have way better stories for dinner parties.”

“I don’t really do dinner parties.”

“Perfect, because this isn’t one. It’s a Maxen family interrogation session thinly disguised as a meal.” Bryn grinned at Artair’s wince. “What? I’m just being honest.”

“Tactfully misleading would have been fine,” Artair murmured.

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