Page 69 of Claiming Her Cougar
“I think I’m going to go for a run,” Liam answers.
That could be fun.We haven’t run together yet.
“I’ll see if Dad feels like it.We haven’t shifted and run together in ages.Shame Andy isn’t here.Did you want to fly along?”
Oh.He wants to shift and run.I can’t keep up with that.I shouldn’t have hurt feelings over it, but I do.Is he excluding me because I don’t want to be public with our relationship?
Our meals arrive, and we dig in.The food is delicious, but I can’t enjoy it with the lump in my stomach.
“Trevor and Ethan are usually always in the mood to run if you’re okay with wolves,” I offer.
“Yeah, good idea.I’d love to explore the woods out your way.”
“You’re welcome anytime.Same as with the rink.”And my bed.
“You’re sure?”Liam asks.
I don’t know if he’s asking if I’m sure about Trevor and Ethan wanting to run or something else.
“I’ll text them and see.”I grab my phone and get to work, then relay the response after I get it.“My parents took the boys to the movies, and Ethan is dying for a run.Haven’t heard from Trevor.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“No problem.”
Daphne nudges Logan.“You should go fly with them.Mallory and I can hang out.”She turns to me.“We can catch up.”
She isn’t fooling me.She wants the scoop on me and Liam.There is no scoop.
“Sure.”I hold back my sigh.
We decide we’ll all head to my house after breakfast.I hope they puke from running after eating.
I look around the café to keep my gaze from straying to Liam.I love the country cottage charm of the place.The blue gingham plastic tablecloths and pale-yellow walls set off the white chairs and tables.The blue vases filled with daisies on every table remind me of my bedroom and bathroom.The red lighthouse accents all around add a nautical touch.It’s a cheerful space.
The bell above the door dings to signal a new arrival, and my gaze drifts there.
“Shit,” I say.
Liam looks up and groans.
Daphne and Logan have their backs to the door and turn around at the same time.
“No!Don’t turn around!”I whisper hiss.
“We have to stop meeting like this, Mallory!”Janet says with a fake-ass laugh.
“We do, Janet!”My tone is similarly fake, but I mean every word.
Janet leans in conspiratorially.“I ran into Mallory as she was leaving her room at Devil’s Den.I was so surprised!”
“I bet,” Daphne says.“What were you doing there?I must have just missed you.Mallory and I had a girls’ night since Logan and his cousins were watching college football all day long.”
I love Daphne.
“Oh!Have you met my boyfriend, Logan?Honey, this is Janet.She works with me and Mallory.Janet, this is Logan Morris, my boyfriend.”
“Morris?Are you related to Mike Morris?”Janet asks.She knows damn well he is.
