Page 12 of A Surprise Baby for the Wolf Shifter

But with Tabitha and her distractions gone, Gemma wasn’t far from my thoughts. Day and night, she was always on my mind. Little things like the warmth of the sun and the peacefulness that came with it all perpetuated an already difficult scenario. As though I wasn’t finding it hard enough to keep from toying with the idea of going and seeing her.

My mind had become occupied with the details of what I imagined would be me seeing her again. Before I realized what I was doing, I was brainstorming ways to see her.

I thought about showing up at her door. Maybe stopping by one night after work and asking her on a date. Doing everything the right way. But I didn’t have a clue about her work schedule. Not that I would give up after the first try. Although, knowing when she would be home would make things even better.

I could slip a note or a card or something under her door. If she had the space to. If not, maybe I could tape the thing to her door. Oh, but what would I say? Hey, remember me? The guy you slept with on St. Patty’s.

No. That would be dumb. The words would have to be more poignant than that. Much more grabbing and effective. Maybe something more like… I know it’s been a while, but I can’t get you off my mind. How about dinner?

No. That sounds ridiculous. But then… what if someone walked by and took the note off her door? People could be assholes at the best of times. That tiny little fact coupled with my rotten luck, I’d probably never hear from her and would never know if the lack of response was because she never wanted to see me again or because someone decided to take what didn’t belong to them. Plus, If I left my number on the thing, I would probably get catfished by some lonely, sad individual. No thanks.

Gemma or bust.

Maybe I could have some flowers or chocolates delivered to her. She gave me the impression that she was the kind of woman who loved those things. That just might make a strong statement to her, letting her know I wanted more. But then again, it had been over a month since I had last seen her. She probably would take the notion wrong after waiting for so long. Flowers and the like was probably a thing to have done much, much sooner.

Or I could try and figure out a way to bump into her out in public. Saying hi and hoping everything else fell into place. But what if she was busy or didn’t have time to say hi? Even worse… what if she didn’t remember me?

My wolf stretched against my frame. He longed for her in the ways I longed for her too.

He was restless as well. He wanted to go for a run. Likely to find her too. Perhaps a run was exactly what we needed. A long one… in the wilderness… far away from Gemma. It had been so long since I had the chance to do that.

Done deal. I decided to do that after work.

Guy bumped into me, drawing my attention from my thoughts. He tried to play the move off as an accident as I settled my gaze on him.

“Excuse me, my man,” he said.

I shook my head. “You should get that lack of coordination checked out.”

He narrowed his eyes onto mine. “What’s eating you?”

I hardened my gaze. “What on Earth are you talking about?”

Guy shrugged. “You just seem distracted, is all.”

“So, you thought we would bond over me talking feelings? You’re out of your mind, Bear.”

He chuckled. “You know the ladies like a man who’s in touch with his feelings, Dog.”

Our light jabs lessened the ache in my chest. I smiled though I tried to fight it for the sake of keeping up with pretenses. I shook my head and continued with my job.

“Like you’re wringing them in left and right,” I said looking around him. “I can see the line already.”

“Seriously, man,” he said. “You’re staring off into space a lot today. A lot recently.”

“I didn’t sleep well last night,” I said and went back to work on the frame I was building for a new housing development.

“Uh-huh…” he smiled then clapped a hand over my shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze. “More like a lady friend kept you up all night long. Am I right or am I right? About time too. Who is the dame? I want to know everything about her”

He bobbed his eyebrows.

I shook my hand. Guy was the type who looked at life with a light heart. He was the epitome of a cuddly teddy bear. He also took the cake when it came to assumptions as well. I understood he meant well, but his intrusion from my thoughts was a lot less welcomed than I had expected.

I wanted to growl and snap. I cleared my throat and shook my head.

“Come on, man,” he said. “Let it out.”

“And then what?” I asked setting my glare on him. “We can sing Kumbaya?”

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