Arlo watched them, his head still spinning. One minute he’d barely as good as hinted to Jacqueline that he’d like her to stick around—and the next she announced she was staying the night.
His wolf growled happily and he shushed it. In town. Not with me. That’s not…
He shook his tangled thoughts away.
Jacqueline was watching the water, too, her face glowing.
“So, what was your second question?” she asked chirpily.
Arlo stiffened. “My—? Oh.” His tongue felt thick. “I, er.” Her hand was warm in his, small and soft but strong, too. “I was wondering if you’d like to join me for dinner.”
Jacqueline’s lips twitched, as though she was trying not to let a smile escape. “I’d like that. Very much. Dinner and a drink,” she declared, “to make up for your shiny friend earlier.”
Arlo’s head was ringing. “Yes,” he said, and tripped over his tongue again. “That sounds, yes. I’d like that.”
“Before then…” Jacqueline seemed lit up from inside. “I’d love to know more about Hideaway Cove. Would that be okay? Since Harrison said the cat’s out of the bag already…”
She wants to find out more about Hideaway. She wants me to show her my town.
“Of course,” Arlo said. “Where do you want to go first?”
They sat and finished their ice creams, watching the kids play in the surf. Other Hideaway locals joined them and Arlo pointed them out—including the seagull sisters Jools and Jess, who soared over in their gull forms and then, when they saw the newcomers, flew off to get changed and dressed and raced back to the beach.
“I don’t know if you saw the Rodríguez kids before.” Arlo pointed to three dark shapes flitting through the water out past the breakers. “Diego, Aarón and their baby sister, Ana.”
“A friend for Tally?”
“She’s closer to Dylan’s age. I think.” Arlo frowned. “Never been good with kids’ ages.”
“I’m not sure how old Tally is. Not older than three, though, I think.” Jacqueline sighed. “Those kids have had a rough few years. I’m glad they’re here now.”
She sounded sad—but determined, too. Then she sighed. “I’d like to say I’ll stick around until I’m sure they’re settled, but… work…” Her voice dropped. “You know, yesterday morning, I was half planning to quit?”
Arlo’s heart leaped. “Why?”
If she didn’t have her job keeping her in Dunston—he cut the thought off before it could overtake him.
Jacqueline shrugged. “I feel like I’ve been… stuck, these last few years. I’ve finally gotten rid of the last thing that’s been holding me back, and I was ready to let everything else go, too. Except now, seeing the kids like this… knowing how quickly everything can fall apart… except I already know everything can fall apart…”
She shook her head, glared at the remains of her ice cream cone, and ate it in two bites. “Sorry. I’m not making sense. How about that town tour you mentioned?”
“Sure.” Arlo stood up. “Let’s start…”
His mouth went dry. Let’s start by introducing her to shifters whose first thought will be to realize she’s my mate. And whose second thought will be…
What the hell is the Sweets’ boy doing with a human?
He gulped.
“What about your workshop?” Jacqueline suggested, and Arlo let out a huff of relief.
“Great idea.”
“You still here, Pol?” Arlo pushed the workshop door open and ushered Jacqueline in before him. “Pol?”
The foyer was small. There was a low sofa against one wall, which Pol usually spent the working day lounging in, and a desk with an old computer and half-alive potted plant on it. The room was a bit dusty, a bit worn—but with Jacqueline in it, it lit up.
There was a strangled noise from further inside. Arlo raised his eyebrows and exchanged a look with Jacqueline. She snorted and covered her mouth.