Chapter 9
She loved the bookstore.
But she loved him more.
In the end, Emery had suggested Juliette change to part time in the afternoons, so she could sleep in after late nights at The Howl and being with Sigh.
She and Cass had walked home after work and she could tell her friend was doing some heavy thinking, so she let her have the silence she seemed to need.
When they reached the split-double and were standing on the joint sidewalk, Cass said, “I think you’re moving out? But you haven’t said it.”
“He asked me to move in with him last night, so yes. I gave my thirty-day notice to the landlord. I’m going to afternoons at the bookstore Tuesday through Saturday.”
Cass finally turned to face her.
“Your whole life is changing, but you seem really happy.”
“Oh, I am. Sigh is the best thing that ever happened to me. I know you don’t believe in love at first sight, and I didn’t either, until it happened to me.
” She gave Cass’s arm a gentle squeeze. “We’re still besties.
You’re still my ride-or-die. But my life is changing in ways that I like.
I like having Sigh hold me while we sleep.
I love that he’s the first thing I see in the morning.
” And there were other things she loved about him too, especially his talented fingers and wicked tongue. But she kept those things to herself.
“I’m going to miss you being next door to me. But as long as we can keep our Wednesdays, I’ll be happy.”
“You know it. I’m looking forward to ramen this week.”
They hugged and parted ways, Juliette walking into her house to finish packing a bag and heading over to Sigh’s house.
Their house. He’d made sure she knew it was hers now, too. She sent him a quick text.
At my place packing, I’ll be at the house in about thirty.
I’ll have a burger ready for you.
Did you figure out the burger of the week yet?
I did. But I’m going to wait until you’re here to share it with you.
Can’t wait.
Love you. Drive safe.
Love you too.
She smiled and put her phone in her back pocket, changing out of her work clothes and putting on jeans and a shirt with the tavern’s logo on it. She put her toiletries in a zippered bag and tucked it into the rolling suitcase, then grabbed her pillow and phone charger.
In no time she was across the river and parking next to Sigh’s car and carrying her things into the house. She’d worry about unpacking tomorrow. For now, she wanted to get to the tavern and see her sexy mate.
As she crossed the space to the tavern and opened the back door, she marveled at how much she felt at home already. Sigh had welcomed her into his life so easily, like there had been a Juliette-sized hole in his heart and he was just waiting for her.
She could relate, because she felt like there had been something missing in her life too, she just hadn’t known it would be a brown-eyed, sexy wolf shifter who made the best burgers in the world.
She stopped in the kitchen to get a kiss from Sigh, greeted Marco, and settled onto the stool next to the prep counter.
Sigh grinned at her. “How was work?”
“Slow. But I talked my schedule over with Emery, so I’ll be working Tuesday through Saturday afternoons. That way I won’t be so tired when a certain wolf keeps me up late.”
He wiggled his brows. “Or wakes you up early.”
“That too.”
“Ready for the brand-new burger of the week?” he asked.
“Yes!”
“Well, this one is really special.”
“You look really pleased with yourself,” she said with a chuckle.
“I am! It came to me earlier today, and I couldn’t wait to share it with you. I already took pics for social media, but I didn’t post them yet because I wanted to surprise you.”
“I’m ready whenever you are.”
He set a plate with a metal dome over it in front of her.
“Ready?” he asked, his brows high, his eyes bright with excitement.
“Yes, already!”
Lifting the dome, he said with a reverent voice, “I present to you, my sweet mate, The Juliette Melt.”
She stared down at the burger and her mouth immediately watered at the sight. And then she realized the name.
“You named it after me?”
“Yep.” He set the dome behind him on the counter and said, “Third-pound patty, caramelized onions, and two slices of gruyere, on toasted brioche with a generous smear of garlic butter and a bit of mayo. And I went with steak fries.”
“Oh, it’s really a gorgeous burger. I love gruyere!”
“Try it, baby.”
She lifted the burger and inhaled the scents of grilled meat and sweet, buttery onions and garlic, and then took a bite.
She’d loved the Blue Monster, but the Juliette Melt? It was so good it took her breath away.
Finishing her bite, she said, “I love it. It’s amazing!”
He pumped his fist. “Yes! I’m so happy.” He cupped her face and kissed her, then pulled out his phone. “Posted, baby. You’ve officially got a burger named after you.”
“You don’t have one for yourself, though,” she pointed out, then took another bite.
“The Blue Monster is mine, though. Maybe I should have called it the Blue Sigh.”
She laughed.
He got back to work while she ate and they talked about their days, the tavern, and being part of the pack. When he took his break a little while later, they sat on the picnic table in the back with drinks and made plans for the weekend.
“I wish I could take off weekend nights,” he said with a grumble. “So we could go out on dates.”
“I’ve got Sunday and Monday off from the bookstore, so we can go on lunch dates on those days since The Howl doesn’t open until four. We’ll make that our weekend.”
“That sounds good. And maybe I can take a long break on the occasional Friday or Saturday and actually take you out.”
She leaned over to kiss him. “I love that.” Hooking her arms around his neck, she smiled at him. “Did I tell you how much I love you?”
“Right after I rocked your world before work this afternoon. I love you too.”
“You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, Osiris. I’m so glad I met you.”
He kneaded her waist with his hands, his eyes simmering with the amber of his wolf. “I’m unbelievably glad I met you, too, Juliette.”
She kissed him, thinking how ironic it was the burger he’d made for her was named the Juliette Melt. She sure did melt whenever he touched her.
Her sweet, sexy wolf.
Her truemate.
Her forever.
Not quite ready to leave King Lake?
Come hang out with the wolves for a little
bit longer in Mini Bonus Chapter One: One More Night at The Amber Howl