“God, Rosie,” Gabriel said as he licked his spoon clean. “What do you put in this? I can’t get enough.”
“Jeez, Russel, do you need to be alone with that thing?” J.D. asked. “Although I have to agree, this new stuff is amazing, Rosie.”
“It’s all thanks to my new employee.” Rosie jerked her thumb toward the kitchen. “Talented one when it comes to pastries.”
Gabriel’s head swung toward where she was pointing. “New employee, huh?”
“Yeah. Hardworking too. Comes in early, gets stuff done lickety-split. Anyway, anything else I can get ya?”
“Just the bill, Rosie, thank you,” Damon said.
“You got it.”
He turned to Anna Victoria. “How about we—” A ringing sound interrupted him. With a frown, he fished his phone from his pocket. “Cooper,” he said in that authoritative voice he used when he was at work. “Yeah?” As he listened to the other caller, his brows drew closer together. “All right. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Putting the phone away, he massaged his temples. “Sorry about that. I’m needed back at HQ.”
“Oh no,” Anna Victoria said. “Is it serious?”
“Not sure yet. Moose shifter got himself injured badly. Fell down the side of a cliff. I have to coordinate getting him to the hospital. I’m sorry, sweetheart, looks like we’ll have to take a rain check for tonight.”
“Damon, that’s standard stuff, something you can have Rogers do, since he’s on duty tonight,” Gabriel pointed out. “You need to learn to delegate, man. And you know Rogers likes the responsibility. He’s been dying to prove himself so he can get that promotion.”
Damon seemed conflicted, so he turned to Anna Victoria. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. It might take all night. But if you’d rather have me stay home—”
“It’s all right.” She squeezed his hand. It was disappointing that she was going to spend the night alone, but she knew how much the job meant to him. “Do what you need to do.”
He leaned down and brushed his lips to hers. “I’ll make it up to you, I swear.”
“Since you won’t be back until morning, why don’t you crash back at my place?” J.D. offered. “We can have a girl’s night. Besides, you don’t want her driving by herself in the dark up those roads in her car in this weather.” She nodded out the window. The snowfall was already starting.
“Are you all right with that, Anna Victoria?” he asked.
“Of course,” she said, with a smile at J.D. It wasn’t how she imagined the evening to go, but spending more time with J.D. wasn’t so bad. In truth, being around her and the girls today had been nice; she felt like she truly was putting down roots in Blackstone. She could survive one night without Damon. Heck, she might not even miss him.
“I gotta run.” Damon got up and put some bills on the table. “Dinner’s on me,” he said before leaning down to kiss her.
A thrill ran up her spine as his lips touched hers. Okay, so maybe she would miss this. And his body that was hot as H-E-double sippy straws. Oh God, I’ve turned into a sex addict.
“Ahem, guys,” J.D. said wryly. “There are kids here.”
“And people trying to eat,” Gabriel added.
Damon cleared his throat. “I’ll swing by tomorrow as soon as I can.”
“Stay safe,” she called after him. He gave her a wave as he headed for the exit.
“Ooh, you got it bad,” J.D. said with a laugh.
She couldn’t help the smile tugging up her lips even if she tried. “Is it that obvious?” Was it possible that in such a short time, she had fallen in love with Damon? “Oh God.”
I love him.
I love him!
“You don’t have to say it twice,” J.D. laughed.
“Oh Lord, I said that part out loud?” She buried her face in her hands. “Is it too soon? Should I tell him? Or will that scare him away?”
Gabriel chuckled. “Soon? Are you kidding me? He was halfway in love with you when you walked in the door at The Den.”
“Are you … sure? I mean, it’s not just because of the mate thing? I mean, what does it even mean, mates?”
“Don’t look at us,” Gabriel said, raising his palms. “I mean, I know we’re shifters, but neither of us are mated.”
“It’s supposed to be a special bond,” J.D. said. “I don’t know much either, since we shifters are private about that kind of thing. And I heard it’s different for each one. Anyway, I’m so happy for you. And maybe just a tiny part of me is being selfish here, because that means you really aren’t going away now,” she said smugly. “Now come on, this might be the last night I get to hang out with you. Let’s get outta here.”
All three of them got up and headed out to the parking lot. Gabriel walked over to his Jeep, a few cars down from J.D.’s truck. “I’ll see you girls—sonofabitch!” he exclaimed.
“What’s wrong?” J.D. asked.
He bent down to inspect the front driver’s side tire. Its bottom half looked flatter than a pancake.
“Hmm … that’s not the only one.” J.D. cocked her head at the rear one, which was also deflated. When Gabriel saw it, he rounded the car.
“They’ve all been slashed,” he groaned as he came around from the other side of the Jeep. “Who the fuck would do this?”
“Probably some punk kids,” J.D. said. “You got a spare?”
“Of course I do, but just one. Goddammit.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “What the fuck am I supposed to do?”
J.D. rolled her eyes. “All right, calm your tits, drama king.” She turned to Anna Victoria. “Why don’t you run on home? I got some donuts back at the shop. We can get this done quick, but you shouldn’t have to wait around for us.”
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Yeah. You had a long day. Get showered and into your pajamas. Pick a couple of movies on Netflix and find some cheesy ones we can make fun of.”
“Ha! Will do!” She gave J.D. the
