CalebI spent the morning trying to explain a conference call to my old-fashioned father. It gave me the world’s biggest headache. I lost count of how many coffees it took for me just to get through the day. I just hope my mother doesn’t make Ruby feel uncomfortable during dinner. She promised me she wouldn’t. Too much was riding on this working out well.Giving up for the day, I threw the used roller into the trash bag and turned to face my paint-splattered friend. “Aaron, let’s finish up. I’ve got to go home and shower if I want to be on time to pick Ruby up at six-thirty.”We had been fixing up the office all afternoon. Aaron and I had just as much apple green paint on us as we’d applied to the walls. We could’ve hired someone else to do it, but Aaron wanted to take his mi

Ruby“Thank you, Mrs. Grant,” I replied, shying away.“Call me, Claire.” She placed her hand between my shoulder blades, sweeping me through the door and whisking me away from a disgruntled Caleb, who looked as if she had just taken away his favorite toy.“Shall we?” Claire led the way through the maze of stylish corridors, in all their elaborate grandeur. I could hear Caleb muttering under his breath as he trundled a few steps behind us.“James is just dying to meet you. You’ve no idea how much we’ve had to pester Caleb to bring you here. He thinks I’ll embarrass him.” She rolled her eyes and twisted her lips into a wry smile.“My son tells me you’re a vegetari

Caleb I had every intention of including my bedroom on the tour. I wanted to show her my favorite thinking place, which was the widow’s walk on the rooftop. The only access point was on my balcony, outside my room. I was just thrown off guard by how she delivered her question, that was all. I wasn’t expecting her to sound so suggestive. My heart almost died in my chest. It would be a downright lie if I said the thought hadn’t even entered my mind about taking things further. The idea flashed inside my head, just now, much to the approval of my male genitalia. This only contributed to my awkward embarrassment. Ruby giggled. The tips of her sandals made a sound on the carpet runner as I led her by the hand up the sweeping staircase. It felt like we were doing something risky, sneaking around. The dark polished wood of the banis

Ruby After saying good night to Caleb, I trudged up the path towards my front door, clutching hold of my bag and the book that I borrowed. The light was off in the sitting room but the bluish glow of the TV was flickering through the curtains. No sooner had I closed the door behind me, my dad called out, “Lock up, behind you!” I did as he asked before turning my attention to the stack of packing boxes, brown tape, and dust sheets in the hall. A subtle reminder that they planned on moving soon. “Hey,” I popped my head around the sitting-room door, acknowledging my parents. They were both lounging on the sofa. Dad was sitting slouched with his legs stretched out and had a bottle of low-calorie beer in hand. He had his pajama bottoms on. His rip

CalebAaron ignored my reproachful glare and continued in his humored tone, “So, as soon as she finds out that her dead dog is her werewolf boyfriend, she’s going to be totally freaked out for sure.” He slid his arm around my tensed shoulders. “Or ...” He raised a hand in front of us both, slowly clenching it into a fist. “After she hears you out, and you explain everything.” He poked my chest with his finger, giving me a more serious look. “She’ll think it was cute. Finding her lost in the woods, sticking around, being there for her, when she needed someone. She’s gotta understand you were scared to tell her what you are, right? I mean, it’s a pretty big secret to trust someone with. It could’ve compromised the entire pack if she’d taken it badly. At least her mom is now married to Aiden and has a hybrid kid. She can’t out you, without outing h