Page 10 of Trash and Treasure
4
Jack
“How was your day?”Sherrie greeted Jack when he arrived at the café, not looking up as she wiped down counters.
“Very nice. Thank you for the time off. I’ll have those new donuts for you in the morning,” Jack promised. After the wonderful afternoon he had spent with Mico, he still felt like he was dreaming.
“I’m looking forward to whatever you make,” Sherrie replied. “People have started asking which new flavors you’re going to have. Your donuts are a huge success.”
“I’m glad,” Jack replied. “Right now, I’m experimenting with flavors, but I’d like to come up with seasonal themes, maybe tie them into events like the summer arts festival and the snowmobile rally.”
“I like that idea,” Sherrie said, nodding. “Just let me know when you want to try that out.”
Jack headed toward the kitchen, and Sherrie went back to cleaning. The café was still open for another hour, but traffic was unpredictable, giving Sherrie the chance to start some end-of-day procedures early.
I told Mico about being a possum, and he didn’t ditch me.
His inner animal gave a hiss of annoyance.He said we were “awesome.” And now you know that he’s a raccoon. Who cares about being one of the “cool” shifters?
I don’t know—Mico seems pretty hot to me.
He should. You’re mates.
If Jack had questioned the strength of the attraction he felt for Mico before the kiss, their brief make-out session removed all doubts. Jack didn’t usually jump into bed on the first date, but the temptation to stay with Mico had been practically overwhelming. He was pretty sure that Mico felt the same, given the prominent bulge in the other man’s jeans.
Mates?Jack had been so busy worrying that Mico might reject him for having an “unsuitable” shifter side, he hadn’t gotten further than imagining them together in bed.
It’s not unheard of among shifters.
Not that common, either. I always thought it was just in romance books,Jack admitted. He didn’t mention how much part of him had always yearned for it to be real and that he would be one of the lucky ones who had a special someone out there waiting for him.
I’d say Mico is pretty special. Can’t wait to see him in his fur. I want to slub all over him, mark him so everyone knows he’s taken.
Don't you dare! That’s so…gross.Possums showed affection by licking a mate or family member and then rubbing their face through the spitty fur, called “slubbing.” Sometimes, they slubbed objects to mark territory or attract a mate.
It’s what possums do.
Well, don’t. At least, not right away. Please.
Oh, all right,his possum relented.No slubbing—for now.
Satisfied with a truce, Jack focused on his donuts, eager to have them ready before Mico made his late-night run. If he turned his music up a little louder than usual and danced a few steps now and again, there was no one but his possum to see.
The last hour crawled by as Jack waited for the sound of Mico’s truck. He’d already iced the donuts, and a taste test convinced him that they might be one of his best recipes.
He’s late,Jack fretted, glancing at his watch. Mico stayed close to his schedule, but sometimes the time varied.
He’ll be here.
What if he changed his mind?The adrenaline rush from the kiss had overcome Jack’s self-doubt, but the later it got, the more his insecurities rose to the surface.
He didn’t. Mico’s not like the losers you dated before. Mates trust each other.
Just then, the rumble of Mico’s truck erased Jack’s worries. He picked up the box with the new donuts and headed for the door.
Uncertainty returned.Do I greet him with a kiss? Wait for him to initiate? What if he’s waiting for me to make a move? What if I do too much—or not enough? God, this is complicated!
Jack decided to go with what felt right and hoped that he and Mico would be attuned enough to each other that if they were really mates, they’d figure things out. He couldn’t help grinning broadly when he saw Mico climb down from the truck.
