Page 38 of The Bear's Chosen Mate
“Oh, girlfriend.I think there’s plenty to tell.”Amber offered James a wink.“You let me know if I can help coordinate anything.”
Plates of wings arrived, and a moment later, the entire surface of the table was covered with food and all sorts of dipping sauces.For a moment, hands moved faster than mouths as everyone dug into their favourites.
Then curiosity got the best of James, and he turned to the newcomer.“Why do you look so familiar?”
His middle brother snorted.“How do you not know this?”
“Because I haven’t lived here for years,” the woman said dryly, wiping her fingers clean then offering her hand to James.“Lara Lazuli.”
He kept a smile in place because that’s part of what he did; stay cool and collected in the midst of unexpected situations.Now Alex’s discomfort made sense.Holy smokes—Lara was the youngest daughter of the family that operated Midnight Inc., their biggest competitor.
Which meant this was a great opportunity to put the thumbscrews on his brother, since Alex appeared bent out of shape way beyond proportion by the harmless, petite woman.
James shook Lara’s hand firmly.“Consorting with the enemy.I like it.It adds a kind of pep to the day.”
Kaylee’s elbow dug into his side.“Stop that.She’s not the enemy, she’s our friend.”
“Really,” Alex said, his voice low and emotionless.“You all got to be besties in an awfully short period of time.”
Amber leaned her elbows on the table and rested her chin in the palms of her hands.She looked adorable, like some freaking tree fairy.“Didn’t we?It’s because women are wonderful and marvelous creatures.”
Lara copied the cutesy position, batting her lashes at Alex.“Sugar, and spice, and everything nice.”
He choked for a moment.Cooper helpfully patted Alex firmly between the shoulder blades.
Seeing Alex so on edge because of the delicately featured woman sitting next to him was a hoot.James was happy for the entertainment, and having Kaylee next to him made everything else in him content.
Cooper and Amber began a running back-and-forth banter about the schedule for the upcoming Canada Day gala.Coordinating the event was supposed to be James’s gig, but while he’d been out of commission for the past week, things seemed to have progressed nicely without him.
Kaylee tapped him on the shoulder before he could dive into the conversation.“I need to use the little bobcat’s room.”
He stepped aside to let her out, hiding a smirk as both Cooper and Alex slid from their side of the bench to let Lara out as well.
He turned to Amber and gestured to the other women who were already heading away.
She shook her head.“Nah.I’m good.”
“I thought women only travelled to the washroom in packs,” he teased.
Amber raised her beer stein in the air, offering him an amused expression.“This human woman has an amazing bladder capacity far, far beyond that of the average shifter.”
Both his brothers laughed as they resettled behind the table then grabbed their drinks.
Cooper raised his glass in a toast to the small dark-haired woman.“May you always have more than what you need.”
Alex edged forward, speaking softly, but insistently.“Seriously, what isshedoing here?Lara, I mean.”
Amber wiggled her way closer, leaning in as if she was about to share some big secret.She lowered her voice and announced with great excitement, “Having drinks with me and Kaylee.”
His brother leaned back, disgruntled.“Amber.”
“Alex,” she repeated in the same tone.
Both James and Cooper fought to keep from snickering.It was so much fun to see the little human take control of a situation where she should’ve felt intimidated.Alex was not giving an inch, and right now he was in one hundred percent overprotective, overbearing bear mode.
It was obvious, though, that Amber felt completely comfortable in making it clear this was a no fly zone.
“You need to step back and mind your own beeswax, buster.I know you’re the grand pooh-bear of security at Borealis Gems, but you’re not in charge of who Kaylee and I spend time with.”She was on fire and her eyes glinted.
