“Why not?”
“People were so enamored by Marilyn that it was impossible to go out and have fun while she was still alive. They saw the resemblance and felt they needed to interrupt me to tell me who I looked like or see if I was her. Some asked me out and others wanted to join me in whatever I was doing. Most of them were nice about it, but sometimes I just wanted to be left alone.”
“What about after she died?”
I felt hot all of a sudden and fanned my blouse. “Believe it or not, it was harder for me to go outaftershe died. Tourists wanted pictures, and people on the street treated me like anovelty. I didn’t wear makeup or tight clothes when I was shopping, running errands, or having lunch—that was only for work or parties with friends. I’ve had people tell me it’s my lips and smile that bear the most resemblance. When I’m dolled up, you’d never know the difference. It’s sad because that’s not who she really was, and it’s not who I am either.”
He stretched his legs out. “I once heard that everyone has a doppelgänger. At least you found a way to profit from it. That was a clever way for a rogue wolf to make money during that time.”
“Breed clubs paid much more than human ones, especially if you were the star act. Back then the entertainment was how they packed them in. It’s not that way anymore.”
Atticus lifted a tiny pair of tongs. “More cheese?”
“Well, perhaps justonemore.”
As if I hadn’t already eaten a whole block.
Atticus not only had a bowling alley in his basement, where we’d spent the past two hours playing, but he also had a dumbwaiter. After preparing a charcuterie board of meats, cheeses, fruits, veggies, and dip, he sent it down the dumbwaiter along with drinks. Though I desperately missed my pack, I felt spoiled in his care. Not only that, but he was a good host and always kept the conversation going.
Atticus placed two pieces of gourmet cheese on a napkin and handed it to me.
“You should show my Packmaster this room,” I said around a piece of cheese. “If they saw this, they might build their own bowling alley. We certainly have enough land. Can you imagine?” I finished the second cheese slice. “You and your friends must have a lot of fun down here.”
Atticus took off his bowling shoes and put on his leather ones. “I only trust one person to visit my home, and that’s my personal assistant. Suffice it to say, we don’t bowl together.”
“That’s a shame.”
“He doesn’t like bowling.”
I wadded up my napkin. “No, I mean about you not trusting anyone enough to invite them over.”
“A person’s home is their sanctuary and should be reserved for loyal friends and family. I don’t have either.”
“That’s not true. Melody speaks highly of you. Hope and Lakota as well.”
He anchored his arms on the back of the bench, making his biceps pop through his tight long-sleeved shirt. “Tak and I have a ways to go before he fully trusts me. Even then, who would drive all this way?”
“People who are bored with sitting around the house building chicken coops and barns, that’s who. It would be a shorter drive than to Austin. Packs have peace parties to create bonds between neighbors, and we haven’t had one. Mainly due to Hamish, our next-door neighbor. He’s bitter about us buying what used to be his land, but that’s another story. Who says peace parties only have to include packs?You’reour neighbor. That would be a great opportunity for you and Tak to get to know each other better—away from your club. We could invite everyone.”
“That would interest me.”
When I leaned forward to remove my shoes, I realized I couldn’t touch my feet anymore. “It’s as if I’m growing bigger by the hour.”
Atticus knelt before me. “May I?”
I nodded.
As he untied my shoes, his gaze fixed on my blouse. “That color is becoming on you. It brings out your eyes.”
I glanced down at the blue fabric. The wide neckline fell off one shoulder, which I liked. The embroidered designs across the chest weren’t something I would have ever chosen for myself, but the fabric was soft and cozy. “You went the extra milebuying me an entire wardrobe—even bowling shoes. It wasn’t necessary.”
As soon as my second shoe came off, he gave me a foot massage. “I haven’t looked after someone in a long while. It’s nice. Where were you raised?”
“Baltimore.”
“Have you gone back?”
I shook my head. “Not since I left.”
