Page 33 of Accidentally Wedded To A Werewolf

“Oh, I love these,” Luna gushed as Darren handed her one. “Beth gave me another sample when I was in town before. She’s adorable, and herchocolates aredelish.”

“She’s a wonderful chocolatier,” Grandmother Musgrove agreed. “It’s a shame she might not be able to keep that store open.”

“What?” Luna asked. “Why?”

“Not enough tourists,” Ben explained.

Oliver shifted in his seat, careful not to let his elbow skim Luna’s. Luna thought back to what he’d yelled at her about wanting the inn to close, then what he’d said later on the couch. Safe harbor.

“This place should be crawling with tourists,” Luna said. “You guys have mountains; you guys have abeautifulocean view. Throw in the monster schtick, and you have a hook!”

“Claw Haven,” the kids chorused. Even Vida, though her tone was heavy with sarcasm. “For the monster who wants some peace and quiet!”

Luna clapped. “Exactly! You can totally capitalize on that.”

Luna rolled the wolf chocolate in her hands, feeling the wolf’s rounded muzzle. An idea was brewing; she could feel the images coming together the way they always did before she reached for her secret sketchbook.

“About your new sign,” Luna said. “I could design it. Free of charge.”

Another series of looks got traded around the table.

Luna tucked her hair behind her ears self-consciously. “It’s no big deal. Youareletting me stay here for free.”

“Because I pass out if you leave,” Oliver said.

She cocked her head at him. “Is that a ‘no’?”

Grandmother Musgrove spoke up. “That would be lovely, Luna. I look forward to seeing it. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome!” Luna popped the chocolate wolf in her mouth and beamed.

Fondness pulsed through her, fast and reluctant. It took Luna a second to realize it wasn’t her own. She looked over at Oliver, surprised.

He wasn’t looking at her. All his limbs were pulled in tight so he wouldn’t touch her, eyes on his plate. For a second, Luna thought she might have imagined it. Then his mouth twitched, and Luna caught the faintest echo of fondness once more.

She averted her eyes. She’d promised she wouldn’t pry. She didn’t want him messing around in her head as much as he didn’t want her in his. She chewed her chocolate, and the next time she caught the echo of an emotion—annoyance at Uncle Roy’s opinion on the movie they watched last night—Luna blocked it out.

Ten

Oliver stood in front of Luna’s door the next morning, hands flexing at his sides.

Just knock, he told himself.Why the hell are you nervous? The worst that can happen is she says “no” and you have to reschedule. Get over it.

He startled as the door at the end of the hall opened, Ben strolling out of the hallway with his car keys in his hand and his work apron tossed over his shoulder, yawning widely.

Oliver tried to look like he was examining Luna’s doorframe for paint chips.

No dice. Ben ran up to the guest halfway, yanking his work apron off his shoulder and smacking Oliver in the stomach.

“Jesus, dude, justknock.”

“Shut up,” Oliver hissed.

“Youshut up.”

Then they were wrestling. Oliver had been surprisedto learn that most siblings grew out of play-fighting when they were adults. His grandparents wrestled with their siblings until they died of old age.

At least they were keeping it quiet, Oliver considered as he shoved his little brother into a headlock. They were being mature about it.

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