“Would you care to join us?” the blonde asked and then winked at her friend.
“Sure.”
CHAPTERTHREE
The waytoo handsome man slid into the booth next to Jenna. Something was happening to Paris’ body, and she didn’t like it one bit. To kick him out would be rude, however. Besides, if he was looking for a job, she might have use of some muscle, should the need arise.
Not wanting to burn any bridges in case this man could be useful, she held out her hand. “I’m Paris.”
“Grayson.”
The moment their palms touched, it was as if an electric current shot up her hand, and Paris immediately let go.Shit.
“What brings you to Ames?” She was proud that her voice hadn’t cracked.
“I wanted to meet up with my friend who I haven’t seen in a few years. He lives about two hours west of here, and I live about two hours east. This was half way.”
“Interesting choice of location,” she said. “No offense, but did you even look up this town? It’s not exactly the most scenic place. In fact, I don’t think we have much in the way of attractions.”
“Why do you stay then?” he asked, throwing the question back at her.
Damn. She'd walked into that trap. Paris had moved here solely for the purpose of exposing what a scum Richard Delancey was. “I’d just earned my business degree, and jobs were scarce. Harrison Industries offered me a good salary, so I accepted.”
When Jenna’s brows pinched at the lie, Paris gently kicked her under the table.
“That makes sense.” He took a swig of his beer. “Paris is an interesting name. Is your family French?” he asked.
She blew out a breath. “No. My father, who abandoned my mother before I was born, promised her trips around the world someday, and she dreamed of going to France. Then he ditched her. She figured the least she could do was name me Paris.”
His brows furrowed, and then the lines disappeared. “I thought—”
Grayson glanced over at Jenna.
“That Paris’ dad is a werewolf? He is,” Jenna said.
“I know this might be too personal, but the idea that a man would brand a woman and then leave her is unheard of.”
Paris lifted her hands. “Well, that’s what the jerk did.”
“Are you in contact with him?”
“Nope. He has no idea I exist either, and I want to keep it that way.”
Grayson whistled. “That is tough.”
“It is what it is.” He actually sounded sincere, not that it mattered. If Paris ever found her dream man, he would be a human.
“Change of subject. The clerk at the hotel mentioned that three men near here recently overdosed.”
Paris’ body stilled. “Three men?”
He shrugged. “I think that was what he said. I didn’t ask him for any details. Why?”
She nodded to Jenna whose hand was trembling. “My friend’s cousin just called and said someone he knew overdosed last night.”
“Near here?”
“Yes.”