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“I’m ready to have these kiddos.”

“I bet. I was going to ask you if I could take pictures of your animals later on this afternoon, about four? I’ll be taking pictures of Edeen’s at two.”

“Yeah, sure. I’ll let Lachlan know and he can take you around to help you get the best shots you can. I was kind of surprised Veronica came over to talk to you during the weapons training.”

Maisie laughed. “I wondered if she and Robert dated.”

“They danced at an event, but they haven’t seen each other exclusively, as far as I know.”

“Well, Robert and I are having our first official date at lunchtime, so as far as I’m concerned, we’re dating.” Maisie was ready to let the whole pack know that—Veronica included, in the event she was interested in upping her game with Robert.

“I’m so glad for you and Robert.”

“Thanks.” Of course, they were just getting to know each other, which meant that they might not end up mating each other. Still, he was so hot and so kind to her and protective, it was hard not to envision being mated wolves.

Once Maisie and Colleen ended their call, she got ready for her date with Robert. She was really excited about going out on her first official date with him. If she could handle it, she would love to go running with him as a wolf tonight, after she did her photo sessions with Lachlan and Edeen’s pets.

Robert was early to pick her up, and she loved that. One of the guys she’d dated had been late for all their dates—Jude, in fact—and it was great being with someone who cared about being with her enough to show up early. Being late for a date for no good reason made her feel as though the guy hadn’t really wanted to be with her, even if that wasn’t the case.

What made it even better was that Robert kissed her like this was only the beginning for them, and she certainly felt that way about him.

“Oh, I needed that.” She kissed him back, tongues stroking and lips melding. Damn, she wanted to take him to her bedroom and skip lunch!

He separated from her, smiled at her, and kissed her lips again. “Are you ready?”

“Yes. I’m going to take photos of Edeen’s and the MacQuarries’ animals this afternoon. I could take pictures of your cat also. And we can run as wolves after that?”

He opened the car door for her. “Yeah, that sounds like a great idea, if your ankle can handle it. But dinner before the wolf run?”

“Yeah, perfect. I’ll let Anne know I’ll be having dinner with you too.”

“She can come over also, if you want to have dinner with her, so she doesn’t feel left out.”

“I’ll text her.” Maisie didn’t want to put Anne on the spot.

Anne texted back:No, you have fun. I’m watching a reality show.

Maisie smiled, knowing her sister better than that. Anne wanted to give Robert and Maisie their time together alone, and Maisie was happy to do that, but she knew Robert would be just as happy to have her sister join them, to show he wanted to include her as family and get to know her better. It was important to Maisie also that if she and Robert ended up together that he and her sister were like family. And her and her sister’s parents too.

Maisie texted:If you change your mind, we would love to have you there.

I’ll let you know. Have fun on your first real date.

Thanks!

Maisie set her phone down on her lap. “Anne wants to watch a TV show.”

“She wants us to have more time to ourselves.”

“Exactly.” Maisie laughed. “But I told her she could change her mind and join us.”

“Absolutely.”

When they arrived at Heather’s pie shop, they found that she’d set up a romantic table for them—candles, a special red tablecloth, and fresh red roses. Maisie smiled. “Was this your idea?”

“I told Heather I wanted a special table for our date, and she went all out,” Robert said.

“This is so cute.”