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  “I try to curtail my agitation with her, really I do. But it’s becoming increasingly difficult. The fact that Lily had the nerve to send me something like that astonishes me.”

  Jennifer tossed multiple pairs of jeans onto the bed, forming a crumpled mountain. It actually looked more like a volcano ready to erupt at any second, sending shirts, socks, bras, and no telling what else, flying through the air.

  “I’m almost afraid to ask what the package contained. A dead cat? It’s a good thing you don’t have a pet, or she’d boil it in a pot.”

  “It was a silver bullet. By the appearance of the package, I think she spent a lot of time wrapping the thing in pretty pink tissue paper like it was a real gift.”

  “How thoughtful of her. So silver is bad for you, right?”

  “Yeah. I think she sent it to imply she’d shoot me with it.”

  “You need to call the police. At the very least, you should talk to her about her actions. I mean, attacking you is not cool, and sending you things in the mail is a federal offense. What she made, basically, was a death threat. Call her on the phone, though. Don’t talk in person.”

  “To be honest, I’m not looking forward to having another conversation with her. I think I’ll continue to ignore her. She’ll get sick of the shenanigans before long, right?”

  Her mouth dropped in a gape, then she asked, “You call threatening letters, trying to eat your head off and sending you silver bullets ‘shenanigans’?”

  “Oh, she just wants to frighten me. That’s her modus operandi. She wants people to think she’s a big bad scary wolf. I still don’t think Lily could hurt a fly. All right, perhaps a fly, but you know what I mean. I don’t think she wants physically to hurt me. Now my business, that’s another story.”

  “What did you do with the bullet?” she asked with a look of horror on her face.

  “I threw it away, what else?” I wiggled into a pair of jeans and grunted as I fastened the button. Too much red meat made them a little snug. Time for a diet.

  “You’d better watch your back tonight. She might follow you. Maybe you should have kept the silver bullet and used the thing on her ass.”

  “Lily is not worth jail time.”

  “You’d better hurry. He only lives next door. Not a long commute to pick you up. Go put on your face before you scare him. And do try your best to forget about the awful underwear you’re wearing.”

  “Funny.” I smirked.

  I did need to hurry. Although I’d saved a few minutes by wearing jeans, which meant I didn’t have to shave my legs. Again. I hated doing it twice in one day. By five every day, I sprouted some serious manly hair.

  I swiped one last coat of gloss across my lips and headed out to the living room just in time. A knock came at the door and my stomach did a somersault. I’d been so busy getting ready that I’d forgotten my nerves for a bit. I took a deep breath, let it out and opened the door.

  Jack let out a long, low whistle and said, “Wow, you look fantastic.”

  The compliment made me blush. I knew because I felt the heat in my cheeks.

  “Are you ready for a fabulous evening?”

  “Wow, a fabulous evening? Yes, as a matter-of-fact, I am.” I grabbed my purse and glanced back at Jennifer. She beamed with pride.

  As I shut the door, she sang out, “Have a good time. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

  Curse her, I thought about those damn granny panties.

  Jack glanced back at the closing door and chuckled. At least he seemed to have a sense of humor. Another check in the pro’s column for him. Zero checks in the cons.

  Jack’s elusive scent embraced me as we descended the stairs. As the reality that I was on a date with a human struck me, I wondered what I’d gotten myself into this time. Maybe I should never have agreed to go out with him. Nothing would come of us, anyway.

  No, I mentally shook off the thought. I needed to relax and have a good time. One date wouldn’t hurt.

  Jack was ever so chivalrous and held the door open for me as I stepped out onto the sidewalk. The muggy evening air hit my face like a blast from a spray water bottle. Steamy and sultry--sounded sexier when I described it that way, versus the truth. The reality was it was just plain hot. Melt-the-makeup-right-off-of-my-face hot. I hoped the sweat covering my face gave me a glistening sheen instead of just looking plain gross.

  Sliding into Jack’s Lexus, I ignored the werewolves peeking out at me as they hid behind a Dumpster in the alley. I couldn’t believe werewolves stalked the French Quarter at that time of the evening. They could have easily been seen. How careless of them. And what the hell did they want, anyway?

  Chapter 5

  How to Date a Werewolf Rule # 5:

  Kindly don’t point out a female werewolf’s five-o-clock shadow.

  My preferred hangout to relax and munch on the best food in town is a little Mexican restaurant a couple of blocks from my apartment. When Jack asked me if I had a favorite place, Emilio’s came to mind right away. It’s a perfect setting for a casual first date. Since it was unlikely I would get another date with Jack, the need to make the most of my time with him seemed important. Damn, the nasty curse.

  “Hola, Rylie. Cómo estás?” Emilio greeted us with a smile on his round face.

  “I’m fantastic, Emilio. How are you? How’s your wife?”

  “She’s due any day now. We’re really excited.”

  “That’s wonderful. I can’t wait to see the baby. Tell her I’ll stop by and visit soon.”

  Emilio beamed with pride as he picked up menus from the nearby stack and motioned for us to follow him. “I will.”

  “You must come here often.” Jack guided me by placing his hand on the small of my back.

  I nodded. “This restaurant is one of my favorite places in the city.” I sniffed the air when we walked through. I couldn’t help myself with the smell of tacos whirling about.

  Emilio positioned us at my favorite booth nestled in the back of the restaurant. The spot had a fabulous view of street activity from the side windows. I liked people watching, and Emilio’s provided me with the perfect place to do just that. Except on this occasion, there was only one person I wanted to keep my gaze on, and his name was Jack.

  The crowded restaurant buzzed with activity. Glasses clanked noisily, and servers glided around the room with trays full of steaming food. My nose sniffed as if on overload. The scent of steak wafted from the kitchen.

  People milled around on the sidewalk. I’d hoped it wouldn’t be so jam-packed, but that was out of the question in a place like New Orleans. Everyone talked, laughed, and seemed to be enjoying the fall evening, including me. Emilio slipped us our menus and headed back to greet the folks who had trickled in behind us.

  Jack slid into the booth across from me, then reached out and squeezed my hand. “I can see why you come here often. This place is perfect.” He released my hand. It tingled from his touch.

  “You think? I hope you like Mexican fare. I just love the atmosphere and, of course, the food.” I glanced at him from beneath my lashes. That was my attempt at seduction. Pathetic attempt, actually.

  “I’m a burrito fanatic. I could eat one every day. Lots of cheese and meat.”

  “I picked the right place then.”

  “You sure did.”

  Gazing at his gorgeous face, my body screamed everything would work out with him. My mind, however, wandered back to the dreadful fate bestowed upon me and said No way. To say my senses were heightened when I was around him would have been a vast understatement, and it bothered me. Instead of deliberating over tacos and tequila, all I could think of was the touch from Jack’s hand. One fantastic night with him could quell the desire running through me, right? Perhaps pouring the pitcher of water on the table next to us over my head would be a better solution to cool me down.

  “Tell me what’s good here.” Jack peered at me over the top of the menu with his dazzling azure eyes.

  “Everythi
ng. My favorite is the steak fajitas.” What else would I like besides steak, right?

  “You know I have to ask. How are their burritos?” He grinned.

  “They’re the best in town. Maybe even the nation. They’re really big, with loads of cheese, and their sauce is to die for.” My mouth watered just thinking about the tasty morsels.

  “You should be a spokesperson for this place. You could do a commercial.”

  My gaze slid down to his succulent lips as he formed a smile.

  I looked away, trying not to stare. “Yes, maybe I should. Or stop coming here so often.”

  An employee popped out from the swinging kitchen door and hurried over to our table. He placed glasses of water, a big basket of greasy tortilla chips and three different varieties of salsa on the table.

  When I looked back at Jack, I realized he barely noticed the waiter’s presence. Instead he studied me. Which made me happy. I could get accustomed to being the object of his attention.

  “All right, a burrito it is for me. You persuaded me with your strategic selling techniques.”

  “Yeah, right. I doubt your arm needed twisting.” I laughed.

  “Do I need to ask how the margaritas are? Or is it a given?” He put the menu down.

  I shook my head. “Nope. It’s a given. They’re the best I’ve ever tasted.” I flashed him a grin. His gaze held mine, and I soon realized his eyes were filled with hunger. But not just for Mexican food.

  Somehow all the noise seemed muted, even with the mariachi band playing “La Cucaracha” in the background and the voices of the crowd. What seemed like an eternity slipped by as our gazes held. I couldn’t have stopped myself from grinning if someone had a gun to my head. Visions of our bodies intertwined and our clothes scattered around my bedroom floor flashed through my head.

  The heat from his stare was enough to make me melt. I had to break the gaze, or we needed to leave the restaurant. Unfortunately, I had to opt on staying and devouring fajitas instead of consuming Jack. Don’t worry, I didn’t mean actually “devour” him, as in making him a werewolf snack. I may be a lycanthrope, but I’m not that gross.

  “So tell me, what brings you to New Orleans? What made you leave Texas?” I had to break the intense silence between us. If I didn’t, I’d jump across the table and tackle him.

  “Actually, my mother lives here.” He let go of my gaze, grabbed a chip, dipped it into salsa and popped the salty treat into his mouth.

  “Really? That’s great. Is she the only family you have in the city?”

  “Yes, she’s the only one. Everyone else is back in Texas. She moved here after she and my dad divorced. She just packed up one day and took off. I suppose to get away from my father. Soon after she got here, she became lonely and depressed, so I decided to come and be near her. I couldn’t let her deal with the loneliness on her own.”

  Aw, how sweet was he? Unless he was a mama’s boy. Then that wouldn’t be so cool. Uh-oh. I’d have to keep an eye out for any clingy behavior with his mother. Who was I kidding, though? It didn’t matter if he was latched on to her apron strings. I had to remind myself that three dates, maximum, was all I had.

  “Where’d you go to school?”

  “University of Houston.”

  “What made you decide on your profession?”

  “I was always fascinated by the human mind. Doesn’t sound great, I know, but I wanted to know more about behavior and why we do the things we do. You know, I’m the only one in my family to attend college. Naturally, my mother is ecstatic that she gets to introduce me as her son, the doctor. My mother worked hard to provide for me, but her one regret was she couldn’t afford to send me to college.”

  “What about your dad?”

  “He didn’t work much.”

  “Oh. So what did you do?”

  “I can’t believe I’m telling you about this.” He paused. “I was a stripper. So I, um…” He cleared his throat. “I performed a dance with you know, a female audience. It allowed me to pay for college and make it on my own without adding a burden to my mother.”

  I stuffed a couple of chips in my mouth, then gulped my water. “So you, um, were nude?” I stuffed another chip in my mouth.

  “Oh no, it wasn’t full nudity.”

  Oh dear. Please let him show me his dance moves. Where was that pitcher of ice cold water when I needed it? I wondered if he wore a bikini or thong.

  “How does one get into something like that?” I asked.

  “I saw an ad for auditions and it seemed like a good idea at the time.”

  “Well, I guess it was a good idea. It paid for your college, right?”

  “It did.” He nodded.

  If I didn’t change the subject soon I’d overheat.

  “Do you miss Houston?” I munched on a chip while eyeing him.

  “Sometimes, but so far I’m really enjoying New Orleans.” He gave me a look that made me want to melt into the vinyl seat. Heat from his sexy gaze created a warm feeling that easily spread throughout my body. I didn’t need a road map to read his signs. He might actually be enjoying my company. Yes, by the smile on his face, I’d say he might even like me. Crazy behavior and all.

  “Are you originally from Louisiana?” he asked.

  “Can’t you tell by my accent?” I busied my hands with my napkin.

  “Yes, now that you mention it, I guess I can. What about your family? They here in New Orleans too?” He popped another chip.

  Five minutes into the first date and I was already reminded of my dysfunctional family. There was no way I wanted to get into that topic. What was I supposed to say? My family comes from the old country where they enjoy frolicking madly by the light of a full moon while covered in hair? My immediate family lived here, and that was all he needed to know.

  “My parents are here, and I have a brother who lives in Baton Rouge as well. Then an uncle and some cousins.”

  “Are you close with your family?”

  Closer than I wanted sometimes, but I wasn’t telling him that. No need to share every abnormal detail.

  “Yes, I guess you could say we’re close.” Where was Emilio, anyway? I needed an escape from the topic. “What about you? Are you close to yours?” I’d throw the ball back at him.

  “We’re close. I still talk to them often. What do your parents do?”

  Ugh, what was with the twenty questions? If he expected my parents to be normal, then he would be greatly disappointed. Other people had normal parents--doctors, lawyers, dentists, and such. Me, not so much.

  “Um...” I sipped my water. “My mother is a massage therapist and my father owns a little art shop.” In other words, they were eccentric. I knew what the next question out of his mouth would be before he even spoke it.

  “Art, really? Wow. What kind?”

  Nope. No way would I answer his question. What was I supposed to say? Werewolf paintings? Wolf sculptures and other weird supernatural stuff? My parents were paranormal freaks to the human world. Heck, and maybe to the paranormal world too. Thankfully, Emilio approached the table before I had to reply. I’d have to leave an extra tip for his perfect timing.

  “Ready to order? The usual for you, Rylie?” Emilio asked in a chipper tone.

  “Yes, please.” Maybe I did eat at Emilio’s too often.

  “And for you, señor?” He placed two cocktail napkins on the table.

  “I’d like the smothered burrito. And can you bring us two margaritas?” Jack held up two fingers and glanced at me for approval. I signaled yes with a grin.

  “Two of our best coming up.” Emilio grinned devilishly and scampered off to start the drinks.

  After he left our table, I didn’t want the conversation to turn back to my parents, so I excused myself to slip off to the restroom. Changing the subject wasn’t the only reason for going. I wanted to check out what damage the humidity had done to my makeup and freshen up a bit. Plus make sure I didn’t need to shave. Sometimes I get pesky whiskers without warning--
not sure why. I learned the hard way that makeup won’t cover a five o’clock shadow. Glancing over my shoulder, I spotted Jack watching me as I walked away. He was checking me out, and I decided to give an extra sway with each step--no harm in showing off my assets. No pun intended.

  Passing several booths, other couples appeared to be on their first dates too. I wondered if Jack and I had the same gushy-eyed look. I hoped we did. On the inside, I certainly felt all gushy and stuff. As I made my way to the back of the restaurant toward the ladies’ room, I noticed the side door to the alleyway was ajar.

  That wouldn’t have been a big deal normally, had it not been for the bushy, ugly-brown tail almost hidden beyond the trash can right next to the exit. The fact that Lily had followed me on my date astonished me. She had some nerve.

  Jennifer had warned me to watch my back, and I’d shrugged off her advice. I could almost hear her “I told you so” rant from where I stood. I had a quandary on my hands and needed to make a decision, pronto. I could ignore the problem and go to the powder room like I’d originally intended. I knew I’d come back to the table to find Lily in a cozy conversation with Jack. That was at the bottom of the list of things I needed or wanted.

  My only option was to confront Lily Friedman once and for all. She needed to understand the little games she played had gone far enough. I had visions of my customers rushing away with each stunt Lily performed. Sometimes people had a change of heart. Surely she’d listen to reason this time.

  I glanced over my shoulder. No one watched me. Please let that extra-large margarita keep Jack entertained until I kicked Lily’s ass.

  “Lily, get your butt out from behind there right now. I can see you. Your ugly tail is sticking out,” I whispered. I tapped my foot, signaling my impatience with her.

  Nothing. No movement, not even a twitch of her tail. She had a lot of nerve to show her shifted form in the daylight like that, and not to mention in the middle of a busy restaurant.

  The space was small, without a lot of room to move, but I walked forward and peered down. Lily wasn’t alone. Huddled behind the trash can were two hairy beasts. They whispered to each other while I watched. Probably plotting their attack against me.