Page 24 of The Mating Game
I decide that the scarf is a must-have as I pull it from around the mannequin’s neck, and I’m moving on to check out a rack of sweaters when I hear footsteps sounding nearby. A woman who’s a tad shorter than me with thick dark hair appears from between the clothes racks, her smile warm and genuine as she notices me browsing.
“Sorry about that,” she says. “I was nuking some leftovers in the back.”
“Oh, that’s fine,” I tell her. “I just saw the display outside, and everything looked so cute.”
Her nose wrinkles as her head cocks to the side. “You’re not from around here.”
“What gave it away?”
Her lips quirk. “Because I know everyone from around here.” Her brow furrows. “You look familiar though. Have you visited before?”
I shake my head. “No. First time.”
“Hmm. I swear I’ve—Oh my God.” She snaps her fingers. “Are you Tess Covington?”
I reel a little, blinking. “Yes?”
“Oh my God! I’m sorry, total stalker moment,” she laughs. “I follow you on TikTok.”
“Oh!” I laugh nervously. I always feel awkward when people recognize me. “Right.”
“I’ve been following you since the North Carolina remodel,” shelaughs. “I swear, I have an entire reno wish list, thanks to you. My boyfriend issoexcited about that.” She says this last bit with a hint of sarcasm, smiling good-naturedly. “Jesus, I’m sorry. I’m having a starstruck moment.” She sticks out her hand. “My name’s Cat. Cat Campbell.” She shakes my hand enthusiastically when I give it. “Well,technicallymy name is Catalina—named after my grandma, mind you; she’s full Greek—but afterStep Brotherscame out, it was all ‘It’s the fucking Catalina Wine Mixer!’ shouted after me everywhere I went in high school, so you can imagine—” She presses her lips together suddenly, looking sheepish as she releases my hand, which she’s realized she’s still shaking. “Sorry,” she offers. “I’m told I talk too much when I get excited.”
I can’t help but laugh, deciding on the spot that I like Cat. “It’s fine. Totally get the nickname. Did you know my real name is Esther?”
“Shut up. Really?”
“Really. Also named after my grandma. Not Greek though. Just very old and very into her seven cats.”
“I think it’s a rule that all Esthers have to love cats,” she teases.
I shrug with another laugh. “Well, she put all seven of them in her will, so…”
Cat laughs with me now, her smile morphing into a confused look. “So what are you even doing here? Pleasant Hill doesn’t really seem like your usual.”
“I’m renovating the Bear Essentials Lodge up the mountain, actually.”
“Oh! Hunter’s place?”
I nod. “You know him?”
“Oh yeah. He and my boyfriend graduated together. They’re old friends. I was two years below them though—I’m always teasing them that they’re old now, since they turn thirty-two next year.”
The bell over the front door rings, interrupting her and yielding the broad frame of the man in question as he ducks inside. He brings with him that same sharp scent I’d onlyjuststarted to get used to from his the aroma of it washing over me and making me feel that same embarrassing pulse between my legs. Is that even normal? Am I going to get horny for every shifter man I meet now?
“There you are,” he murmurs, his low voice doing nothing for the situation between my legs. “I thought you were going to meet me back at the Bronco?”
I shrug, giving him a smile as I shift uncomfortably. “I thought you said you could find me.”
“I did, didn’t I?”
“Just testing out your theory,” I tease.
He notices Cat standing there, and when I turn back, I find her looking between us curiously. “Oh, Hunter gave me a ride into town.”
“Ah.” She flashes a grin in his direction. “Hey, stranger. About time you came down from your mountain to dwell with us townies.”
Hunter rolls his eyes. “Been busy. That’s all.” He frowns at the bag I’m carrying. “Seems like you found more than a prescription.”
