Bear gave her a light peck on the cheek before sauntering off.
“He looks exhausted,” I remarked.“Maybe he should change out of that long-sleeved shirt.I bet he’s burning up.”
“Bear’s a professional and dresses the part.”
Bear wore long sleeves at the Rabbit Lounge in addition to a beard net, but it seemed excessive for a casual outdoor event, especially with the warm spring temperature.In fact, I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen him in a short-sleeved top.
“I better go rescue him before he starts messin’ with the grill again.”Mercy flashed a bright smile before leaving me.“I’m so glad you came!”
Councilman Connor rose from a nearby chair.When he caught sight of me, he waved and headed over.The sandy patches in his reddish beard suggested he was older than me, but his playful grin and the twinkle in his eye made one woman turn on her heel like a revolving door to watch him saunter past.
“Have I done enough mingling?”he asked, stretching.
I touched the lapel of his tweed coat.“Isthisyour version of casual?”
“Aye.Picked it out meself.”
“In what decade?”I smiled at his tweed cap.“I’ll be heading out soon.”
“You be careful.At least you’re getting all that security installed.Fortuitous, don’t you think?Well, I’m off like an old pair of socks.”As he began to stroll away, he turned and pointed at me with a squinty smile.“If they cook any more of them ribs, save me some.”
I decided to eat another one of Bear’s smoked-salmon avocado tarts before they were gone.They had long tables with snacks out in the yard, which made it convenient to graze without going far.After a bite, I searched for a napkin.
“Miss Eden Thompson.I wasn’t sure if you were hiding from me,” Deacon said.
Startled, I faced him while hastily chewing my snack.
Deacon swiped the corner of my mouth.He revealed the chunk of avocado before licking it off his thumb.“Bear’s not a bad cook, but we’ve got a better one in our pack.You should come over sometime and have dinner with us.”
After swallowing, I dusted off my fingers.“That sounds nice, but my evenings are usually full.”
“Working?”
“No, it’s not that.I have to be home at night.”
“But you’re here now,” he pointed out.
“A special exception.Even still, I need to go soon.”I glanced at my watch.
“You work too hard.It’s important to make time for yourself.”
“Oh, I do.Usually it’s right after work when I can squeeze in personal time.But I’ve got a contractor setting up security in my home, so I need to be there to discuss the job and review his work.We both took the night off.”
“Anyone around here?”When he folded his arms, it made his muscles even bigger.I was curious if they were as hard as they looked.
“Lucian Cross.I think you two know each other?”
He smiled wide.“You don’t say.Lucian and I go way back.”
“Mr.Cross does excellent work, and after he gets my recommendation, he’ll be booked out.Mr.Macgregor should meet with him before his calendar fills up.”
“Security is one thing we don’t need in our pack—not the way I run things.We rotate guard duty day and night.If there’s one place you can feel safe, it’s on Hamish’s land.It’s a shame you don’t have that kind of security out where you live.Ever think about joining a pack?”
I folded my arms.“I’m an open-minded person.”
He tipped his head back a little and gave me an appraising look.“I hear you’re a tiger.Is that true?If so, it’s pretty badass.”
My answer was in my smile.“How’s your new position going?”
