Page 5 of Wild Card

“What—”

She ducks around me, pausing to give me one last look. “Thank you for that… for stepping in and… it was very sweet and probably uncomfortable.”

She rushes away before I can process what the hell is happening.

“Shit, shit shit… She found out you’re an officer?” Her friend materializes at my side.

“That a problem?”

“Not to me, but Wills has preconceived issues.”

“Wills?”

She throws some cash on the table and sighs. “Thanks for tonight. Sorry if it was weird.”

Like her friend, she disappears through the crowd before I can get out a question.

“Jesus, what the fuck?” I rub the back of my neck, flinching at the twinge in my shoulder.

People crowd around the now vacant table and I head toward the back entrance and Tom’s office.

More specifically, the security footage of the parking lot.

And the gorgeous yet skittish brunette who just hauled ass.

1

WILLOW

Save the Date

Rylee & Joseph Are Tying the Knot

Tears blur my eyes, and I suck in a deep breath to stop the impending meltdown. The pounding at my door jolts me out of my head and I swipe my cheeks, dropping the invitation.

“Lolo!”

The emotions dry up immediately at the sweet sound. I rush to the door and throw it open, bracing. My five-year-old nephew plows into my legs.

“Lolo,” he repeats.

“Wyatt!” I mirror his enthusiasm, sweeping him into my arms and planting kisses all over his chubby cheeks.

He bats me away, squirming to get down. “Where’s Wolf?”

At his name, my dog comes barreling in from the backyard, hopping wildly.

“Calm down, boy.”

“He’s fine.” My brother, Chase, crouches to greet Wolf. “Think you can take the boy outside and burn off some of this energy?”

“Did you ask my dog to babysit your son?”

“Yes, he keeps the kid entertained.”

“It’s cold outside.”

Chase looks up at me, his grin faltering as he gets to his feet. “Wyatt’s bundled up. And the yard is fenced. Let them go.”

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