Chapter 7
Juliette was not the least bit surprised when there was a knock at the door just minutes after she and Sigh had gotten to her house Thursday morning. Sigh opened the door and Juliette saw Cass, hands on hips, exasperated look on her face.
“I’m glad you’re not dead.”
Juliette snorted. “Thanks, I guess.”
“I called and texted you last night. You stood me up.”
“I know,” Juliette said. She walked to the door and Sigh slid his arm around her shoulders.
“I’m really sorry. I turned off my ringer yesterday while I was at Sigh’s restaurant and forgot to turn it back on.
I saw the alerts this morning when I woke up and was going to talk to you after I got ready for work.
By the way, this is Sigh. Sigh, this is Cass, my best friend. ”
Cass’s gaze darted to Sigh and then back to Juliette.
“I’m a little pissed.”
Juliette looked up at Sigh and then at Cass. “I need to get ready for work. I’ll walk with you and we can talk.”
“Fine.”
Cass turned and walked back to her house and Juliette pushed the door shut with a groan.
“I’m sorry, baby,” Sigh said.
“What are you sorry about?” she asked. She stripped as she walked toward the bedroom. She’d taken a shower with Sigh that morning before they left but she hadn’t had clothes to change into.
She rummaged through her drawers and closet, grabbing what she needed and sitting on the bed to get dressed. Sigh leaned against the doorjamb, looking yummy. She very much didn’t want to go to work today.
“I’m sorry that I didn’t ask about your friend. I knew you guys had a standing Wednesday night thing but I just didn’t put two and two together about her thinking you disappeared on her.”
She shrugged one shoulder and hooked her bra closed. “I did text her I was leaving work early; I’m kind of surprised she didn’t assume I was going to miss our time together. But it’s my bad communication skills. She’s just looking out for me.”
The side of his mouth quirked up.
“What?” she asked, standing and buttoning her jeans.
“I don’t want your friend to dislike me.”
He followed her into the bathroom and watched as she got ready.
“She doesn’t know you. Are you worried that if my friend doesn’t like you that I’ll want to leave or something?
Because that’s the last thing that’s going to happen.
I want her to like you, but you’re my mate.
” She screwed the lid back on her mascara and set it on the counter, then settled her hands on his hips and smiled up at him.
“I’m feeling very protective of you right now, which I think is kind of silly because you could flatten anyone that tried to hurt either of us.
But… I don’t want you to be upset and that’s why I’m feeling protective.
Cass will get over me not showing up last night, and she’ll get to know you.
But her opinion of you doesn’t change how I feel. ”
He cupped her shoulders with his warm hands, his eyes simmering with amber striations. “How do you feel, Juliette?”
Her stomach did that flipping thing that happened whenever things got a little hot between them. It would be so easy to look over at the bed, to suggest she could be late to work if he was interested in getting in a little pleasure before they parted ways.
But they’d already sexed each other up in the shower.
And she should really get to work.
“That’s a dangerous question when I need to work today,” she said.
He slid one hand up to her neck, his fingers playing along her skin. He leaned down, almost touching her lips. “Answer the question, Juliette.”
Oh, she loved when he said her name. So serious, so sexy, his voice rough, like his wolf was coming out to play.
“I’m crazy about you. It hasn’t been two full days yet, but already I feel like we’re meant to be together. It’s a little scary, a little fast, but it’s also really incredible and I like it. I like you.”
“I like you too.” He kissed her, but it wasn’t sexually charged; it was just a sweet kiss. Just his lips against hers, his wolf rumbling in his chest.
She melted against him, feeling like the luckiest woman in the world.
When the kiss ended, she finished getting ready, and he waited with her outside until Cass came out for their walk to work. He kissed Juliette goodbye, promised to be at her door at six for their date, waved at Cass, and got in his car and drove off after honking twice.
She and Cass walked down the sidewalk.
The silence stretched between them, and then Cass sighed. “You spent the night with him.”
“Yes. And I know what you’re going to say.”
Cass put up her hand. “Do you? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you met a guy two days ago and are getting serious very fast.”
“But it’s real,” Juliette said. “What Sigh and I have is special.”
“How can you possibly know that?”
“Because he’s my mate.”
Cass’s eyes narrowed.
Juliette continued. “He’s a wolf. It’s him and his two brothers, and they own The Amber Howl. Sigh is the cook, he made me that amazing burger I saw on social media. I feel so freaking drawn to him, it’s like there’s some kind of invisible tether between us. Because he’s my mate,” she reiterated.
Cass’s brow arched. “You don’t even believe in love at first sight and you’re literally describing it.”
“I didn’t, but I do now. Because I’m living it. I felt like I needed to go to the tavern Tuesday night, and then I met Sigh. And even though it all has happened so fast, it still feels very right. So yes, I do think love at first sight happens, but only with the right guy.”
“And he’s your Mr. Right?”
She nodded.
“You think I’m overreacting,” Cass said. Her voice was quiet, her tone filled with hurt.
“No,” Juliette said. “It’s not that at all.
I am sorry that I didn’t make sure you knew I wasn’t going to be around last night.
Our weekly dinners are special to me, and I didn’t intentionally blow you off, I just got caught up in the busyness of the tavern kitchen with Sigh and then spent the night at his house. ”
Cass looked at her briefly. “His name is Sigh? That sounds fake as hell.”
“It’s the nickname for Osiris. His brothers have nicknames too – Darrin is Dare and Patrick is Trick. And they’re wolves. It’s just the three of them in their pack.”
They turned the corner and continued walking in silence.
When they reached the next corner, they stopped.
Cass looked around in silence like she wasn’t sure where to settle her gaze, and then she looked at Juliette.
“I just don’t want to lose your friendship.
And I feel like you just met this guy and you already ditched me.
” She rubbed her temple. “I was worried last night, especially when you didn’t answer me back.
And now I feel dumb for being butt-hurt about the whole thing. ”
Juliette hugged her friend. “You’re not dumb, I promise. If you suddenly disappeared with a guy, I’d be a little pissed off. But just know that I didn’t intend to hurt you and I won’t do it again.”
Cass smiled. “If you’re happy, I’m happy for you. Just don’t flake on me again.”
“I’m so happy. And I promise I won’t flake on you.”
“Good. I found a ramen restaurant I want to try. You know I love jammy eggs. It can be our Wednesday night outing.”
“Sounds perfect. Now I very much need some caffeine.”
Cass put her arm around Juliette and led her toward the coffee shop. “One vanilla latte with a double shot of espresso coming right up.”
“And something for Emery too.”
“You got it,” Cass said.
While the morning had zipped by, the rest of the day dragged. The only bright spot was a sweet text from Sigh, letting her know he missed her too. But six o’clock had not come fast enough in her opinion.
She and Cass had walked home after work, parting ways at the shared sidewalk, Cass wishing her a fun date night ahead.
She’d changed quickly into a knee-length wrap dress in the prettiest sage color, adding taupe shoes and a jean jacket to ward off the cool night.
She’d curled the ends of her hair and put on a bit of makeup, finishing the look with a delicate gold necklace.
There was a knock promptly at six, and she found Sigh in black pants and a white button down, open at the collar, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, holding a large bouquet of roses in a crystal vase.
He pulled her close with one arm, his wolf growling happily. “You look gorgeous, baby, I missed you.”
She kissed him and smiled. “I missed you too. And you look really good. Thank you for the roses, they’re beautiful.”
She took them and put them on the coffee table, admiring the pretty deep red blossoms.
“I wasn’t sure if you had a vase, so I thought I should err on the side of caution.”
“I do, but not one that’s pretty like this. Thank you so much.”
He smiled. “Ready, baby?”
Sliding her hand into his, she smiled up at him, warmth spreading through her. “Yes.”
The restaurant he picked was a cute little out of the way bistro that served homestyle food with a relaxed atmosphere. They talked about their days over baked chicken and mashed potatoes, with cornbread dolloped with honey butter.
When they were sharing a piece of chocolate pie, she asked, “What happens now?”
“After the pie, or in general?”
“In general.”
He took a bite of pie and set his fork down.
“We keep going the way we have been, spending time together and getting to know each other. And when you’re ready, I’ll mark you with my fangs in your neck and you’ll officially be my mate.
It’s like marriage for wolves. But I also want to marry you, too. ”
He took her hand and gave it a squeeze.
“The bite sounds kind of painful.”
He leaned forward a little, his eyes gleaming. “I promise you’ll be very happy before I do that.”
Oh, she liked his brand of promised happiness.
“I want all of that,” she said. She’d never really thought about forever with a guy, because she hadn’t met a guy who made her think about the future in a profound way. But Sigh made her think about all of that: marriage and babies, being his mate, belonging to the pack.
She wanted it all.
When they were walking up to the front door of his home, she said, “I think you may be the best guy I’ve ever known. I feel like I’ve known you forever.”
“I feel the same way.”
He opened the door and followed her inside.
She slipped off the jean jacket and draped it over the arm of the couch, then faced him.
She really did like him.
She liked everything about him. From the way his eyes sparkled when he talked about the future, or the way he protectively put his arm around her whenever they were out.
And he was just flat-out a nice guy.
She was already feeling more deeply for him after a short time than she’d felt for anyone else ever. And while she wasn’t ready to say the words yet, they were right there on the tip of her tongue.
She’d know when the time was right.
And she had a feeling it would be soon.
Because that’s what happened with love at first sight.
You just fell in love.