Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 44098 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 220(@200wpm)___ 176(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44098 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 220(@200wpm)___ 176(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
“Someone needs to clean glasses.”
“Is this what you did back home?” Boyan asked.
She shook her head. “No.”
“What did you do back home?”
She glanced over her shoulder to find Boyan still looking at her. “Are you supposed to be back here?”
“I can be anywhere I want to be.”
“Val doesn’t mind?”
Boyan raised a brow. “Back home?”
“I, uh, I worked in an office. I handled insurance.”
“In a small office?”
“Yes.” She finished washing the last of the glasses and grabbed a towel, ready to dry them.
Boyan surprised her by taking the towel from the counter and joining her.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“But I want to.”
“Do you work here as well?”
“No.”
“Then trust me, I need this job. I already suck at serving,” she said.
“I heard. Word seemed to travel fast that the new girl can’t serve drinks.”
Agatha rolled her eyes. “I will get better.”
“I have no doubt, but it seems people like to see you fail.”
“You do realize this isn’t a good advertisement for the town.”
“I’m not trying to advertise it. This place can be a massive shit show, and yet, for some reason, you’re still here. Makes a guy wonder why?”
“And I like to keep guys wondering.” She placed the glasses on the tray and picked them up.
“Is that what you’re doing? Trying to keep a guy back home wondering?”
“Not at all. I’m here because there’s nothing waiting for me back home. Why go someplace and be lonely?”
Boyan looked at her and she found it impossible to look away. Why did he do that? How did he do that? It wasn’t like his look was friendly or forthcoming. He actually looked quite mean, but again, she still couldn’t bring herself to turn away. Maybe it was the town. It was starting to have an affect on her mind that she couldn’t quite control. That made more sense to her.
“And yet, you’ve come to a town that has not been accepting. Many would say coming to a place and setting up a home where no one wants you is even more lonely.”
“It is, but this is where it gets really strange…”—she moved in close to almost whisper—“I don’t feel lonely here.”
She took a step and made her way out toward the bar. It was the truth. She knew she should feel an element of loneliness and despair. The town had been consistent in making her feel like an outsider. Even though they’d done that, she loved the town and felt so complete and at home. It was strange.
Admittedly, having Val sniff her from time to time was a little strange. The first time he did it, she asked Amelia about it, and the other woman had told her not to worry about it. Even still, she was pretty sure when she stood close to Boyan, he’d also sniffed her.
Oh, well, the town was full of interesting people, and this was where she planned to make her home. She’d accept them, quirks and all.
****
The pack couldn’t get drunk, though they could attempt to. At the most, they would get very merry, but that wouldn’t last. Their systems wouldn’t allow them to get too far as they metabolized at a fast rate.
Boyan sat at the bar and watched Agatha as she continued to gather glasses and disappear into the kitchen. She’d be gone for several minutes, only to return with clean glasses.
“You keep staring,” Amelia said.
“Why is she working in the back?” Boyan asked.
“It’s where Val sent her. She wasn’t doing great on the serving, and people were getting antsy. We’ll train her, and she’ll be as good as me at serving.” Amelia shrugged. “Is Alpha coming down to check her out?”
“I’m not sure.” Alpha wanted to get a sense of her, but he had a feeling he’d do it when Agatha wasn’t even aware of it. Boyan didn’t know when, but Alpha would get his answers. He took a long swig of his drink.
“Are you okay?” Amelia asked.
“I’m fine.”
“Don’t give me that. I know having her around might be a little hard,” Amelia said.
“It’s not hard. I promised Alpha I’d keep an eye on her. That’s what I’m doing. That is all I’m doing.”
His wolf was trying to claw through his skin, trying to force him to go into the kitchen, just so he could see her again. He ignored the impulse. He was the one in control of his body, not his wolf. Not anyone else. Just him. He had to stop himself from constantly looking out for her. The moment she stepped into the room, his body went on high alert.
“Macy alert,” Amelia said, and took a step back.
Boyan didn’t have time to make his escape before fingers stroked up the back of his leather cut.
“Hello, Boyan,” Macy said.
“Macy.” He shrugged off her hand.
He didn’t need or want to be cruel, but she didn’t seem to take a hint, or the plain bluntness of denying her attentions. He wasn’t interested in her. They had some fun times, but that was all it was.