Page 81 of Taming of a Wolf

With my task complete, I pull out the phone Jess loaned me in case I ran into any trouble. It’s a confusing device. Jess looked at me like I had five heads when I told her I had no clue how to use this. She gave up trying to explain how it worked and just said, “Hold that little button on the side and say, ‘Call Bailey,’ if you need anything.”

Holding the button, I say, “Call Bailey.”

A monotone feminine voice says, “Calling Bailey.”

I almost drop the thing. It talks! Is there a person trapped in here? Mayhap a faerie? I shake the phone. A dwarven smith is the only one who could have forged such a thing.

“Hey, Anders! Have any luck getting the book?”

Oh gods. Bailey is trapped in there too!

“Even better! The author has agreed to do a reading at 4:00 p.m. The store must be ready by then.”

“Wow! That’s amazing.” Bailey laughs. “Then it’s time for the next stage of the plan. See you later.”

“Bailey, wait! Are you trapped in this dwarven construct? Do you need help getting out?”

“Huh?”

When I return to the shop, I have to knock to be let in. Jamie has gone to take Jace to his friend’s party. Jess and Bailey have temporarily closed the store and are bustling about. Jess isstringing up lights while Bailey is stacking a table full of snacks and drinks and carefully sets a cake in the center.

“You work quickly,” I say.

“Babe, dim the lights!” Jess calls from up on the ladder.

Bailey lowers the lights and flicks another switch. I gasp when the strings of lights come on, twinkling like stars. It truly is beautiful. Jamie will love it.

Someone knocks, and Bailey rushes to answer. It’s Richardson, carrying something inside a paper bag. “Wow! This looks great. I’ve been wanting to come to this shop for a while.” He introduces himself to Bailey and Jess, waves at me, and lets Jess show him where he’ll be sitting.

My stomach feels like bugs are flying around inside. I hope Jamie will be pleased.

Bailey checks their phone. “Okay, he should be back any minute! Places, everyone!”

Gulping, I say, “Places? What does that mean? Where is my place?”

Bailey rolls their eyes with a smile. “I don’t know! Just be there to welcome him when he comes in!”

Marching to the door, I await Jamie’s arrival.

A car pulls up outside, and a door slams. Jamie’s scent whispers under the door, making my wolf stir within my chest. The knob turns but doesn’t open. “What the…” Jamie mumbles.

A key turns in the lock.

My heart’s about to burst.

The door opens… and there he is. Jamie freezes in the doorway, lips parting, eyes going wide.

My knees are shaking as I walk toward him.Please, let him be happy with this…

“What…” he whispers, shaking his head in disbelief. “This is… Oh my god, Anders. Did you do this?”

I shake my head. “Not alone.”

“It was his idea,” Bailey chimes in, making my face flush.

“All of it was,” Jess says, swinging an arm around Bailey’s shoulders.

A smile lights up Jamie’s face. “This is… wow. This is beautiful, Anders. I—oh my god.” He lurches to a stop, voice going all high and squeaky. I grin when Richardson rises and walks toward Jamie.

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