Page 71 of Claiming Her Cougar
“Wow…”
It’s a beautiful house.It’s big and white with green shutters, which always makes me think ofAnne of Green Gables.It’s mainly colonial in style, but my ancestors have added on through the centuries, so while it’s an architectural mishmash, it works somehow.
Walking through the butler’s pantry into the kitchen, I see Valerie sitting at the counter with a bottle of wine in front of her.Normally she’s perfectly groomed, but today, she’s still in her pajama pants, and there’s a glob of dried yogurt on her T-shirt.Uh-oh.This does not bode well.
“Hey, Valerie.This is my friend Daphne.Daphne, my sister Valerie.”
“Hi, Valerie.Nice to meet you.”
“Hello,” Valerie responds.But she’s not paying attention to Daphne.Her attention is focused on me.“I kinda sorta accidentally-on- purpose gave my notice this morning.Via text.”With that pronouncement, she drains her wine glass and promptly refills it.
“Wow.I bet that was unexpected,” Daphne says.
“I don’t see how it was.My cheating ex is a sleazoid.No way was I going to work for him.Especially since he took my promotion.”She takes another deep sip of her wine.“Never get involved with a coworker.It’s a clusterfuck waiting to happen.”
Oh boy.This isn’t good.
“Do you have something else lined up?”I ask.Please let her have something else lined up.
“Nope.”Valerie pops theP.
Okay.This isn’t her second glass of wine.Possibly not her first bottle.
“What are you going to do?”I think I know the answer, but I’m praying I’m wrong.
“Well, roomie, I arranged to sublet my apartment for the last two months of my lease, and then they’ll sign their own lease.I have a severance package, so I don’t blow things sky high for those assholes while I figure out what I’m doing next.”
For the first time, I see insecurity in my big sister.
“Is that okay, Mallory?I know this is your place now, but it’s a big house.I’ll stay out of your way…”
I pull Valerie into a hug, and she lets me, even though she’s usually not a hugger.
“Valerie, this will always be your home.Of course it’s okay.You do what you need to move forward.I’ve got you.”
Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.I meant it when I said this was her home, but her being here means collecting benefits from Liam has gotten even more complicated.I can’t afford Devil’s Den every week.
My phone dings with a text.
Liam: Almost there.Are we meeting at the barn?
Good question.
I go to the foot of the back stairs.“Ethan, Trevor!You in here?”
Daphne’s eyes widen.She’s an only child.She’s not used to the bellow.
My brothers thunder down the stairs, sounding more like a herd of elephants rather than a pair of wolf shifters.They shoot wary glances at Valerie as they enter the kitchen.I’m betting they were afraid of Valerie and waiting for me to get here to be a buffer.For a couple of wolves, they’re big chickens.
“You rang?”Trevor asks slightly snarkily.
“Should Liam and Logan come to the house, or were you meeting them at the barn?”
“Who are Liam and Logan?”Valerie asks.
“Logan is Daphne’s boyfriend, and Liam is his cousin.”I shoot eye daggers at my brothers to keep them from saying anything more.They have powerful senses of self-preservation and keep their mouths shut except to say they should come to the house.
Me: Come on up to the house.You can meet my sister.She’s going through stuff—please don’t mention we work together.Just be Logan’s cousin.
