The Werewolf Whoops

by Amanda M. Lee

  “I guess you were right, huh?”

  “Stranger things have happened.”

  “They have. Let’s hope this works out.”

  “I think it will.”

  “I want to argue with you, but I think it will too. Just don’t let being right about this one thing go to your head.”

  I smirked. “I’ll do my best.”

  15

  Fifteen

  Chris and Hannah’s kiss was the talk of dinner, even though they were both so red-faced when they joined the rest of the group it was obvious they wanted to talk about something else – anything else, really – but Chris was a good sport despite his embarrassment.

  “And what brought that about?” Millie asked, her lips curving into a smirk as she took her seat between Bernard and me at the large round table in the center of the inn’s dining room.

  Chris shrugged. “I just thought it was time.”

  That was an interesting response. I didn’t disagree with it, but it was odd all the same. “I thought you were going to take Jack’s earlier advice,” I admitted, dropping my napkin into my lap. “That’s the way it seemed.”

  “What was Jack’s advice?” Hannah asked, recovering quickly from the surprise and focusing on me. She was a practical sort, so once Chris changed the rules of the game she was quick to adjust to her new reality. That’s simply the way she operated.

  “He doesn’t think workplace romances are a good idea,” I replied.

  “That’s not exactly what I said,” Jack hedged when Hannah gave him a thoughtful look.

  “I’m curious why you would say that,” Hannah said. “Why don’t you approve of work romances?”

  “Because if there’s a breakup things become uncomfortable,” Chris supplied. “I thought about what he said – I don’t disagree with it – but then I decided to do it anyway.”

  “Why?” Hannah’s eyes were contemplative as she searched Chris’s face.

  “Because what Jack didn’t take into account was that I couldn’t not do it.” Chris beamed at Hannah as her cheeks flushed. “My heart wouldn’t let me. I don’t know why I didn’t wait until we were alone – it was as if I was overcome by some magical force pushing me to do it right here and now – but Charlie said we should talk about it so I decided I couldn’t wait to talk about it. Once it was in my head it was as if that was all I could think about.”

  “Charlie said, huh?” Hannah smirked. “It seems Charlie has advice for everybody on this front.”

  “Yeah, she’s very wise,” Chris agreed, bobbing his head and clearly missing the weighted look Hannah shared with me. He wasn’t aware that I’d had a similar conversation with Hannah before talking to him. I figured that was probably a good thing. “She said I should talk to you, but I realized I’m not very good at talking – unless it’s about work – so I decided to kiss you instead. I think it was probably the better choice despite everyone staring at us.”

  Chris sounded so clinical – and yet so hopeful at the same time – it took everything I had not to burst out laughing.

  “I think it was definitely a good idea,” Millie enthused, smiling fondly at her nephew. “We’ve all been waiting for this since … well, pretty much the beginning.”

  Hannah tucked a strand of her pale hair behind her shoulder and focused on Millie. “Since the beginning?”

  Millie grinned. “Oh, honey, we’ve been waiting for this since you joined. I was starting to worry it wouldn’t happen. Of course, in my heart I knew it absolutely would if I stayed out of the way and let you go at your own pace. Some things are just meant to be.”

  “And you think we’re meant to be?” Hannah slid a sidelong look to Chris, her unease obvious even as the potential for joy swamped her pretty features. “How can you know that?”

  Millie shrugged. “It’s just a feeling I get.”

  “I get it, too,” I added, grabbing the menu from the center of the table. “I think it’s weird that you two are essentially sharing your first date with us. I mean … I’d think you’d want to be alone and talk things out by yourselves, but Millie is right. You need to do what feels natural.”

  “Huh, I didn’t even think about that.” Chris stroked his chin as he gave Hannah a thoughtful look. “Do you think we should eat alone and talk?”

  Hannah nodded without hesitation. “That’s a fine idea.”

  I widened my eyes, surprised. “I didn’t mean you had to do it now.”

  Hannah and Chris ignored me, remaining focused solely on each other.

  “There’s a table in the corner.” Chris pointed. “It’s tucked away and we can be alone.”

  Hannah beamed. “I like what you’re suggesting.”

  Chris held out his hand to her. “Shall we?”

  “Yes. Absolutely.”

  My mouth dropped open as I watched them go, my eyes refusing to look away until they sat at their table and started gazing into one another’s eyes. “This is like the weirdest courtship ever.”

  “It definitely is,” Millie agreed. She stared at the couple for a long moment and then shook her head, chuckling as she turned back to us. “I can’t believe one of them finally made a move. I swear I thought the polar ice caps would finish melting before this happened.”

  “I think it’s nice,” Bernard offered. “I think they’re both sweet and made for each other. I love when people are made for each other.” He cast Millie a sly look before reaching for his wine. “There’s nothing better than young love. Er, older love is okay, too. Well … I guess it’s fair to say I’m fine with all love.”

  Jack cocked an eyebrow as he shook his head. I had my suspicions about Millie and Bernard’s relationship – something they refused to talk about – but I was under the impression Jack knew the truth. He wasn’t sharing what he knew.

  When people refuse to gossip it drives me nuts, just for the record.

  “I think workplace romance is a good idea,” Laura announced, taking advantage of Chris’s departure to switch chairs and nab the one closest to Jack. “It makes things easier and you don’t have to worry about someone being upset if you keep strange hours because you’re out chasing non-existent werewolves.”

  I narrowed my eyes as Laura rubbed her finger over Jack’s wrist, causing him to shift in his chair.

  “I think we should have more romances in the workplace,” Laura added. “We don’t have nearly enough now.”

  Millie rolled her eyes. “Honey, I think you might just get your wish … only not in the way you think.”

  Laura’s face was blank. “What does that mean?”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Millie pursed her lips as Jack cleared his throat and jerked his arm from Laura. His discomfort was evident – something that amused me – but Laura either didn’t catch on to the signs or purposely ignored them. I was leaning toward the latter.

  “Charlie, how was your day?” Millie asked, purposely changing the subject. “Did you go anywhere interesting? Your day had to be better than our day.”

  “What was wrong with your day?” I was legitimately curious.

  “I was stuck in the woods with a whining woman who doesn’t see the world for what it really is,” Millie answered without hesitation, glowering at Laura. “What about you?”

  “Well, we visited area businesses asking if any of the workers had seen anything weird in the woods,” I replied. “It wasn’t exactly what I’d call a thrilling outing.”

  “That’s why you should’ve taken me, Jack,” Laura prodded. “It would’ve been thrilling with me.”

  “Oh, geez.” Jack rolled his neck and stared at the ceiling. “I don’t even know what to say to any of this. How is this even part of the conversation?”

  “Don’t say anything,” Bernard suggested. “If you pretend she’s not there maybe she’ll go away. It works with ghosts.”

  “It doesn’t work with ghosts,” Millie argued. “It doesn’t work with oversexed tarts either. Jack’s been employing that tactic for days, but
his shadow has yet to notice he’s in pain whenever she throws herself at him.”

  “Who’s his shadow?” Laura asked, finally picking up on the conversation. “You’re talking about Charlie, aren’t you?”

  I balked. “I’m not his shadow. He made me go. He wanted to gauge how I reacted to seeing Aric Winters.” In my rush to defend myself, I realized too late that I probably should’ve left his name out of things.

  Millie’s eyebrows flew up her forehead. “You saw Aric Winters without me?”

  “I don’t like hearing about Aric Winters,” Bernard grumbled, rubbing his forehead. For some reason his reaction warmed my heart.

  “Don’t worry about it.” I leaned closer and patted his forearm. “He’s completely in love with his wife.”

  “Of course he’s in love with his wife,” Millie barked. “Did I say otherwise? That doesn’t mean he isn’t the finest specimen of a man I’ve ever seen. I mean … he’s so hot he looks as if he could do porn.”

  “Oh, good grief.” Jack smacked his forehead. “I don’t want to hear this.”

  “You should’ve thought about that before you dragged Charlie off to see Aric,” Millie shot back. “That was clearly a job that I should’ve been assigned.”

  “Wait, are we talking about the same Aric Winters from the photographs?” Laura was lagging behind in the conversation. For some reason, that made me inexplicably happy. I was more of an insider than her for a change. It was a petty thrill, but I never pretended to be above pettiness.

  “Yes, and you’re not part of this conversation,” Jack said, keeping his eyes on me. “Don’t turn this into a thing. We’ve already talked about why we had to visit Mr. Winters. Everything worked out in the end. Why do you have to make it a thing?”

  That was a good question for which I didn’t have a serviceable answer. “I don’t know. I just do.”

  “What did he say?” Millie probed, focusing the conversation on something she was interested to hear. “Did he remember me?”

  I smirked. “He said spending time with you was the highlight of his evening.”

  “Did he really?” Millie was clearly tickled because she leaned back in her chair and beamed. “Did I tell you how he looked with his shirt off? His abs looked drawn on.” She wasn’t talking to anyone in particular and she took on a far-off expression. “I kind of wanted to trace them … with my tongue.”

  Despite the fact that I often found Millie entertaining, even I was uncomfortable with her words. “I definitely should’ve kept my mouth shut.”

  Jack cast me an irritated look. “Live and learn, huh?”

  “Definitely.”

  I WAITED UNTIL I WAS certain everyone had retired to their rooms for the evening to sneak out again. It was a calculated risk – something that could easily blow up in my face – but I thought ahead this time and arranged for an Uber so I didn’t have to take one of the Jeeps. I figured that Jack couldn’t complain about me wasting my own time if I didn’t steal one of the rentals.

  I was on the main floor and heading toward the front door when Millie stepped into my path. Her expression was hard to read, but she seemed somber.

  “You scared the crap out of me.” I lightly slapped her arm as I waited for my heart to stop racing and my breathing to return to normal. “You need to stop sneaking up on people. It’s undignified … and it makes me nervous.”

  Millie made a dubious face. “You’re nervous because you’re about to sneak out again. Don’t blame that on me.”

  “But … how did you know?”

  “Because you’re you and I could practically see your mind working throughout dinner. I’m not an idiot.”

  No, she could never be confused for an idiot. “I have something I need to do. It can’t be helped. I’m not taking one of the rentals. I called an Uber. It should be fine.”

  Millie didn’t look convinced. “I don’t know if you should head back to the Winters house alone. I know you’re intrigued by her – and barely look at him, which I don’t get – but she doesn’t seem keen to give you the answers you’re looking for.”

  She wasn’t wrong. Zoe Lake-Winters was guarded and secretive. I wasn’t sure I could blame her. She didn’t know me, and her family was her first priority. “I do want answers.” Pretending otherwise would be a waste of time. “I’m not going to the Winters house, though.”

  Surprise lit Millie’s features. “You’re not?”

  I shook my head. “I’m going to the hospital.”

  “Why?”

  “Because sneaking into Lisa Savage’s room will be easier at night,” I explained. “I want to see her for myself.”

  “What if you get caught?”

  “Then I’ll lie and find a way out.”

  “What if you get caught by Lisa Savage?” Millie persisted. “She could call the police and have you arrested.”

  “She could,” I agreed, “but I’m guessing they’ll have her sedated for the night.”

  “And why do you think that?”

  “That’s how it usually works.” This wasn’t the first time I’d planned an excursion to a hospital to talk to a victim. I didn’t think admitting that now would do much good. “I just want to touch her and see if I can get a reading.”

  “Can you do that?” Millie was understandably intrigued. “Can you touch her and see what she went through while she was out there?”

  I didn’t have an easy answer. “Maybe. It doesn’t always work. It depends on how traumatized she is, what images embedded in her mind. It’s kind of a crapshoot, but I want to see if I can find out anything of interest. Her husband is still out there, after all.”

  “I understand.” Millie was thoughtful. “Even though you’re not taking a rental, Jack will melt down when he finds out.”

  I knew that was true. “I can’t live my life by what Jack wants.”

  Millie’s expression softened. “He only wants to keep you safe.”

  “I know. I’m not angry with him. I also can’t tell him the truth. He won’t understand.”

  “I don’t necessarily think that’s true, but it’s a conversation for another time.” Millie turned serious as she studied the empty lobby. “Part of me wants to go with you because I’m curious, but the other part knows it’s a mistake. I need to stay here and cover your retreat.”

  Uh-oh. That sounded possibly dangerous. “What do you mean by that?”

  “Simply that I need to be close in case Jack decides to search for you.” Millie rubbed her hands together as she warmed to her topic. “He’ll stop at your room first and then come down here to check on the keys. I need to plant myself on the couch and pretend I’m reading so I’ll already be down here when he shows up.”

  “And then what?”

  “And then I’ll tell him you’re in the bathroom or something.” Millie waved off the question as if it didn’t matter. “Don’t worry. I’ve got everything under control. I’ve got your back.” She flashed an enthusiastic thumbs-up. “Go and psychically invade her mind until we have the answers we need.”

  I really wished she hadn’t phrased it that way. “Um … yeah. That’s not generally how it works. Basically I just touch her and see what’s on the surface of her brain – like if there are snarling teeth or animal claws – but I rarely get everything.”

  “I don’t need to know the nitty-gritty.” Millie made a face. “Go. I’ve got everything covered here.”

  I had my doubts, but I didn’t have a lot of options. “Be careful … and text me if something comes up.”

  “I’m on it.”

  She seemed so sure of herself I could do nothing but walk away … and continue to fret. Why did I believe the exact opposite was true?

  16

  Sixteen

  The driver dropped me near the front door. I considered asking him to stay in case I needed to make a hasty getaway, but I didn’t think that was proper Uber etiquette, so instead I paid and waved as he buzzed out of the parking lot. I would have to find a way b
ack to the inn on my own, whether that involved calling for a second Uber or hitching a ride. That was a problem for future me, though. Present me had other things on her mind.

  The lobby was mostly empty. I knew which room Lisa was in thanks to Hannah, so I pretended to have an agenda and headed straight for the elevator. I learned a long time ago that most people will not question your reason for being where you shouldn’t be as long as you put on a good show – if you look like you belong there then people will believe it.

  The sixth floor was quiet when I stepped off the elevator and the woman behind the nurse’s station desk didn’t as much as look up. I left her to play whatever computer game she was playing – something with a mutant teddy bear wearing a hat briefly popped into my mind – and turned to my right. I studied the hospital’s floorplan online before leaving the hotel, and that proved to be beneficial now.

  I slowed my pace as I approached Lisa’s room, making sure to keep my footsteps quiet. If a cop was stationed outside her room I’d have to come up with a way to distract him so I could get inside. My mind was busy with possibilities when a hand shot out of the vending machine alcove to the right and grabbed my arm.

  I was so surprised I opened my mouth to scream but Zoe Lake-Winters, her blue eyes flashing with warning, clamped her hand over my mouth. She dragged me into the alcove and immediately started shaking her head.

  “If you scream, I’ll punch you in the boob,” she warned, serious. “I might not be big, but I can punch like a dude. You’ve seen my husband. He taught me.”

  I stared at her for a long moment, taking a moment to allow my heartbeat to return to normal, and then I nudged her hand away from my mouth. “Please tell me you washed your hands. You’re in a hospital and you strike me as the sort who likes to touch things and then carry the germs around forever.”

  Zoe snorted, amusement lighting her pretty features. “I like you. I can’t help it. You remind me a lot of me, like, ten years ago.”