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 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.

Craig smiled and looked down at the table. Lifting his head to peek at her, he said, “If I was, would you say yes?” Eve took a deep breath and pursed her lips before saying, “Craig, I really enjoy our lunches together, but I’ve had a rough week, what with starting this new job. I’m going to take the time this weekend to just relax and not do anything. I’m sorry.” The smile left Craig’s face, and he nodded. “I get it,” he told her, sitting back in his chair. Eve shook her head and said, “It’s not like that, Craig. I’ve just had a rougher than normal week and want to relax this weekend.” He stared at her for a moment before smiling. “I get it,” he said again. “New job, new stresses. Maybe next weekend?” She nodded, unsure, and said, “Maybe.” Pausing, she glanced around before looking back at him and adding, “We can meet up for lunch again during the week at least.” He smiled, not as big as before, and said, “That’d be nice. I’d like that.” “Me, too,” Eve told him. The se

Eve and Linda jumped and looked toward the fence. “Craig!” Eve exclaimed when she saw him standing on the other side of the wall with his arms crossed on the top. “What are you doing here?” Before Craig could answer, Linda asked, “So, this is the famous Craig I keep hearing about?” Craig perked up at this and grinned at Eve. “So, you keep talking about me to your friends?” he asked with a wink. Eve felt her face warm and glanced down at her food before looking back at Craig. “I may have mentioned you a couple of times,” she told him with a smile. “Good to hear,” he said, smiling back at her. Linda cleared her throat and said, “From what Eve tells me, you were the one who introduced her to this restaurant.” Craig nodded and looked at Linda, saying, “I did. It’s a favorite restaurant of mine, and I wanted to introduce her to it.” “I’m glad you did,” Linda told him, grinning. “Me, too,” he said, looking back at Eve. Linda looked at Eve, then at Craig again, and asked, “

Eve’s eyes drifted close as Arec brushed his lips over hers. She responded to his touch by leaning into him, deepening the kiss. Her hands traveled up his arms and wound themselves into his hair. His arms wrapped around her waist, bringing her body closer to his. Her lips opened to his probing tongue, which slipped inside her mouth and explored. She thrust her tongue out, entwining it with his. Finally, they pulled away, breathless. She stared into his eyes and said, “I’m glad you followed me into the kitchen.” Grinning at her, he tipped his head forward so his forehead touched hers. “I’m glad I did, too.” Brushing his lips over hers, he added, “I think we should head back into the living room and eat. I don’t want the food to go to waste, and besides, I think you’re stomach just growled.” Giggling, she nodded and said, “I was hoping you hadn’t heard that.” He took her hand in his hand and led her back into the living room toward the couch. She sat down and watched him a