Kylie explained what each drink was, along with what was in them, as she poured them both a sample of the first one.
By the time they’d sampled all four drinks, Eme knew she’d found Joe’s replacement. Sure she was sad to see him go—he’d only worked there a month—but his wife’s job was relocating them, so what choice did he have but to move? “When can you start?” she asked Kylie.
“When do you want me to start?” Kylie countered.
“Tonight? I’ll have you work with Joe; you’ll be replacing him when he leaves in three days.”
“Um, sure. Is there, like, a dress requirement?”
“No. As long as it’s tasteful, not trashy, it’s fine. And no vulgar pictures or comments on your shirts, either, though usually it’s men you have to worry about with that. Also, the pay is higher than you’d get elsewhere because I think it’s ridiculous to expect an employee to be able to live off a wage that is below the federal poverty level. Most places in New Orleans pay around nine an hour, I pay fifteen and you’ll get paid weekly.”
“So, Kylie, where are you staying?” Lily suddenly asked.
Kylie didn’t want to look her in the eye as she replied. “A shelter.” She didn’t go into detail though.
“Shelter? Oh, hell no,” Emelise countered. “You can crash at my place. Well, mine and Caine’s. We have a small cottage attached to the main house for new Pard members to use until a house can be built for them.” She was still getting used to the fact that, not only had she moved in with him, but they’d recently said their vows.
“Oh, no, I couldn’t do that,” Kylie started.
“You might as well not try to argue with her, Kylie. Eme is like a bulldog; she’s tenacious and she won’t take no for an answer. Mind you, you will have to be interviewed by both Alphas before you’ll officially be allowed to remain in Pard and Pack territory,” Lily told her.
Kylie blinked before she busted out laughing. “A tenacious bulldog, that’s…quite an image,” she said. “Yeah, I kind of figured I’d have to meet with the Alphas,” she added, then looked at Emelise. “If you’re sure…”
“Oh, I’m sure, chica,” Eme replied. “Do you need to go back to the shelter for anything?”
“No, I have everything I came with right here,” she said and patted the large bag she’d brought with her.
“Oh, honey, we need to take you shopping then.” Eme grinned at Lily. “Trip to Baton Rouge?”
Lily laughed. “Hell yeah. At least this time we won’t have to worry about creepy stalkers.”
Kylie looked confused and Lily explained what had happened a while back with the jaguars.
“Oh, wow. That’s kind of scary.”
“It was, but it all got sorted out and now the Red Moon Clan are allies of both the Black Water Pard and the Ghostpoint Pack.”
“At least it had a happy ending. For the most part. How is it that you two get along so well? I don’t mean to be rude, it’s just that, back in my old Pard, anyone who wasn’t a leopard wasn’t welcome anywhere near us. I’d expect there to be animosity between you two.”
“Honestly, I think that is dependent on the Alpha of any given group. If the Alpha doesn’t like to interact with shifters who are a different species, his attitude will rub off on those who follow him. Caine accepts anyone as long as they don’t say or do something that will bring trouble to the Pard,” Emelise explained. “We can talk more about that on the drive to Baton Rouge, if you want. We should go tomorrow. You good with that, Lil?”
“Tomorrow works for me. It’s my second day off, then it’s back to the grindstone.” Lily glanced at her phone to check the time. “Okay, I gotta get out of here. Declan and I are going out to dinner and I need to get home so I can get ready. Kylie, it’s really great meeting you. We will have to get together at a later time so you can meet Declan, since you’ll cross over into Pack territory if you go wandering around the city.”
“Let’s plan to meet back here tomorrow at noon for our day of shopping. Then we can do the interviews with the Alphas. We can drag them both to Scarlet Flux,” Eme suggested.
“Sounds good to me. See you later.” Lily waved at both of them before she left.
“All right. Let’s get you out to the compound so you can meet your new Alpha, because I know my mate: he’ll let you stay once he’s interviewed you, get your stuff put away, and get ready for your first night of work.”
“Lead the way.” Kylie slung her bag over her shoulder and followed Emelise out to her car.
