I fucking hated that there was any question whether mymatewas okay with me. Of course she was good.
Emmy nodded. “Yeah, I’m good.”
Maya dipped her chin and stepped back inside without a word in my direction.
“She doesn’t like werewolf guys. Sorry,” Emmy whispered to me.
“How does she know them?”
“Her story is like yours.”
My gut tightened.
She had been mated to some asshole, then.
“I didn’t know you had another unmated female werewolf in your friend group.”
“Well, we’re nothing if not mysterious.”
I snorted. “Is that your bright yellow house’s style?Mystery Chic?”
Emmy flashed me a playful grin. “Hey, anything is better thanCabinChic.”
“Cabins are great.”
“Maybe if they’re pink.”
“You don’t want a pink house.”
“I do, actually. I almost painted mine pink, but I wasn’t sure how long I was going to stay, and Zoe talked me out of it.”
“So your ideal house is…”
“The color of the trim on my current house,” she confirmed.
“Wow.”
“You can add that to the list of reasons you aren’t ready to be with me.” She winked. “My mental health wouldn’t survive a move into a brown cabin. I’m allergic to neutrals.”
“So your dislike has morphed into an allergy?”
“Yeah. I can send you the medical report, if you’d like.”
“I’ll keep an eye on my inbox.”
Emmy grinned up at me.
I couldn’t stop the small curve of my lips. “I should leave you to your friends.”
“My breakfast plans were an attempt at avoiding awkward confrontation, so there are none. I wouldn’t say no if you offered to buy me crepes and fancy coffee.”
She was ridiculous, but I had no problem playing along. “Can I buy you crepes and fancy coffee, Em?”
“Oh, I would love that. Give me a minute to grab my bag.” She kissed my cheek lightly before disappearing back into the house. As the door shut, I saw Maya on the couch, snoring.
Emmy came back quickly, and we headed out.
eleven
