After thanking Craig for lunch, he asked her to join him again the next day. “I can’t,” she told him. “I’m sorry, but I’ve already made plans for lunch tomorrow.” His face darkened, but he forced a smile to his lips. “Maybe the next day, then?” he asked. She nodded and said, “That sounds like a plan.” They stood awkwardly, trying to figure out how to leave. Finally, she stuck her hand out and said, “Thanks again for lunch.” He cupped her hand in both of his and said, “Thank you for meeting me here. I’ll see you again the day after tomorrow.” He held on to her hand a little longer than she liked. When he finally released it, she fought the urge to wipe her hand on her skirt. Instead, she smiled and waved at him. “I’ll see you later,” she said as she turned to walk away. She could feel his eyes on her as she walked but didn’t turn around to look back at him. When she returned to her desk, Arec poked his head out of his office and asked, “How was lunch?” “The food w
Getting out of her car, Eve stared up at the building. “Impressive, isn’t it?” She jumped and whirled around to see Arec walking up to her with a grin. “It’s beautiful,” she said, turning back to look at the scenery. Then, looking down at her work clothes, she added, “I feel as if I’m underdressed to go inside. It looks like a pretty fancy restaurant.” “Nonsense,” he told her. “You look beautiful.” He held his arm out for her to take. She slid her hand into the crook of his elbow, and they walked toward the front door. “Mr. Lyons,” the hostess behind the podium greeted Arec. “So good to see you this evening.” She turned her gaze toward Eve and nodded. “And your lovely companion,” she added. Eve nodded back to her. “Would you like your usual table?” the hostess asked, walking out from behind the podium. Arec glanced at Eve and nodded. “Yes, Sara,” he said. “That would be nice. Thank you.” The hostess led them deep into the building to a table in front of a large w
“What is it?” Arec asked. “What did you see?” “I saw… I saw… at least I think I saw…,” Eve stuttered before shaking her head. “I’m not sure what I saw.” “What did it look like?” he asked, leaning forward. She glanced toward the window again and said, “It looked like something was running on all fours.” Closing her eyes, Eve continued, “It looked big and hairy.” She opened her eyes and leaned toward him, adding in a low voice, “It reminded me of that werewolf I saw the other night.” Frowning, he looked out the window and stared into the trees. After a moment, he shook his head and looked back at her, saying, “I don’t see anything out there.” “But you do believe that I saw something, right?” she asked, her voice filled with worry. Looking at her, he told her, “Of course I do. You have no reason to lie to me.” She gave him a shaky smile and said, “Thank you. I appreciate that.” He smiled at her and nodded. They were silent for a few moments as Eve glanced out the window. So
Arec shook his head and said, “How about we get that to-go box? I’ll even order a dessert to go.” Without taking her eyes off the window, Eve nodded. Arec signaled the server and asked for the take-out boxes. He also placed an order for two chocolate lava cakes to go. Eve continued to stare out the window as he spoke. After the server left, Arec turned back to Eve with a worried look. “Once the server returns with the food, we’ll head out, okay?” he asked. Eve nodded and said, “I can’t wait to get outside. I need to get some fresh air.” “The server should be by in a moment, then we’ll head outside,” he told her. She nodded, still staring out the window. Once the server came with their food and the check, Arec paid and stood, holding out his hand to help her stand. She looked away from the window long enough to reach for his hand, then turned back to the window. Gasping as she touched his hand, her eyes grew wide as she looked back at Arec, yanking her hand out of his.
Eve screamed as the large, hairy form leaped from behind a car at Arec, knocking him to the ground. She scrabbled at the door handle until it opened and got out of the car, hurrying toward where Arec had last been. She had just reached the other side of the car when an enormous wolf-like creature stood on two legs, holding the wolf in its muscular arms. The wolf struggled, trying to bite the arms holding him. Eve opened her mouth to scream, but nothing came out. She stepped backward and ran into a parked car, stopping her from retreating further. She watched as the creature wrestled with the wolf. It picked the wolf up and threw it over the tops of the cars into the field next to the parking lot. It leaped over the car roofs as it followed after the wolf. Eve could see the two figures circling one another in the darkness beyond the lot and moved closer, drawn by some invisible force. She crouched behind one of the cars and stared at the figures. The wolf jumped toward the
Eve’s eyes widened as Arec told her he may have been run over by a werewolf. “You think it was a werewolf that ran into you?” she asked. He nodded and said, “It sure did look like a large wolf to me, but then again, that may have just been my stress level taking things out of proportion.” She looked around, chewing on her lower lip, and asked, “Do you think it’s still out here?” He shook his head and said, “I’m sure we’d know by now if it was still in the area.” Eve relaxed as he said this, then looked at him again. “What about that other creature?” she asked. “Did you see that one?” He looked at her with confusion and asked, “What other creature? What are you talking about?” “You mean to tell me you didn’t see that huge wolf-like creature fighting with the other wolf?” she asked, her eyes wide. “I mean, how could you miss it? It was enormous!” Arec shook his head and said, “I didn’t see anything.” “What about them fighting?” she asked. “Didn’t you at least hear that?” H
Eve’s hand flew to her mouth as she gasped upon seeing the deep impression in the ground. She stepped away from the window and muttered, “What the hell is that?” Moving closer to the window again to get a better look, she peered out and shook her head. “I need to get out there to see what this is,” she muttered, shaking her head. She hurried toward the bathroom to change out of pajamas and rushed outside. As she rounded the side of the building, she slowed her pace and looked around. Nothing looked out of place. She reached the depressions and kneeled to get a closer look. Reaching out her hand, she ran her fingers over the impressions, shaking her head at how large they were. Standing again, she wiped her hands off and looked around. A glint of light reflecting off an object in the bushes caught her attention. Frowning, she moved toward it and reached out. Before she could pick it up, a voice behind her made her jump and whirl around, putting her hand to her chest.
Sabrina bumped into Eve as she passed, causing the coffee to slosh. Luckily for Eve, it didn’t go over the edge of the mug onto her shirt. Glaring at Sabrina, she growled low in her throat before walking away. Sabrina smirked at her before turning and pouring herself a cup of coffee. When Eve returned to the office, she paused to calm herself before walking through the door. “Here you are,” she said, walking into his office. Arec had been slumped in his chair with his hand covering his eyes. He sat up when she spoke, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the steaming cup she held out. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted sugar or creamer, so I brought some of both,” she told him, setting the packets and containers on his desk. “Thank you,” he said, tearing open three sugar packets and pouring the contents into the cup. He opened the creamer and poured it in, stirring it into the coffee. Finally, he took a sip and sighed with pleasure, his eyes closing and his lips curving into a