Page 17 of Emerald Moon (Pitch Mountain Pack #2)

Cass swallowed and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “Delicious. And perfect. I was hungry and hadn’t brought anything to eat in between shifts. I was going to get a bagel sandwich at that deli on the way, but this is much better.”

Jo beamed, but still deflected, “You should still stop in and get something more substantial. There’s no way this will hold you over. The full moon is soon. We’re all hungry twenty-four hours a day.”

“It will be more than enough.” Cass took a second, smaller bite, followed by a third and a fourth until it was gone and she was giving Jo two thumbs up.

“So you liked it?”

“Can a thumbs up mean something besides ‘good?’”

Jo shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

“I think it’s pretty unambiguous, especially in the presence of two thumbs up.”

Jo cracked a grin. “Well, I’m glad you liked it.” They pointed to the sidewalk ahead. “Am I keeping you? Don’t you need to be getting to the florist?”

Cass glanced down the road then back down at Jo. “Do you want to walk with me?”

She licked her fingertips and Jo couldn’t help but stare, feeling a strange mix of pride in their baking skills mixed with something else they couldn’t quite name.

“Yeah, I’d be happy to!”

Jo followed after Cass, doubling their efforts to keep up with her long strides until Cass noticed and slowed down.

They talked about their days and their packs, about nothing in particular.

Jo was glad the annoying new friend crush hadn’t shown up to ruin everything and make them awkward.

They could simply enjoy time with Cass, even if she was sometimes confusing when she brought flowers as a gift.

Or when she tried to kiss Jo. They pushed the thought from their mind as quickly as it had appeared. Cass was into women. She’d never mentioned what happened in the tent and hadn’t tried it again.

“Do you want to come into the shop?” Cass asked as they approached the big glass windows in the front of the store.

“Yeah, of course. I’ve never actually been in before. Never really had a reason to.”

Outside there were bouquets that Jo wanted to touch and a chalk sign that read, “A peony for your thoughts?”

“I helped him come up with that.” Cass pointed to the sign, looking proud.

“Well done. That’s pretty punny.” Jo winked.

“Yes, it is a pun.” Cass’ face scrunched up as she thought about what Jo had said. “Oh, like funny! But punny!” She laughed, the sound deep and rumbling up from her chest. “That’s a pretty good one, too.”

“Not great, but thanks. I’ll take it.”

Cass pulled open the door, bells jingling as she did. “After you.” She gestured for Jo to walk inside first.

“Don’t mind if I do.” Jo hopped across the threshold into the shop. The scents hit them first. The abundant colors in the small area hit them second. It was a lot to take in for such a tiny space.

“I’ve got to get my apron. Wait here for a second, okay?”

Jo nodded and, as soon as Cass disappeared into the back, gave in to temptation and touched the velvety blooms.

When Cass reemerged from the back, Jo had their face deep in a bouquet. “Sorry. Smelled good.”

“I’ve got to get started on some things, but maybe you’d want to stick around for a bit?”

“Sure! I’ve got nowhere to be for now.”

Jo watched Cass’ hands as she tidied up the register counter and wondered what her hands would feel like after working for so long in the butcher shop. They looked too strong to be doing something as simple as sweeping petals off a counter.

Their conversation flowed just as it had earlier, a gentle back and forth about nothing in particular. Jo leaned over the counter as Cass worked, watching what she was doing.

“Where do you get all your bird shirts?” Jo asked, after realizing that the tiny pattern on Cass’ pale green shirt was, in fact, birds.

“I’ve found,” Cass started while picking up a bucket of bouquets off the ground and putting it on a table, “that if you have something you’re into, like birds, and you buy a few items, like bird shirts and pins, that it’s going to be all anyone ever buys for you for gifts from then on.”

“Do you not like getting bird shirts anymore?”

“Not at all!” Cass looked surprised. “I’m excited about each one, but I am surprised my family members and pack mates can keep finding things I’ve missed. I do have a few duplicates, though.”

“Of shirts?”

“And hats, pins, socks. Three of the same bowtie.”

“Do you even wear bowties?”

“I’ve got a great one picked out for the wedding.”

“Can’t wait.”

“For the wedding or the bowtie?”

“The bowtie,” Jo said. “I’m happy my sister is getting married, but my stomach is in knots about the rest.” They watched as Cass’ smile slipped.

“But it’s better knowing you’re going to be there!

And I don’t want to scare you off. My family is just a lot, but I’m hoping now that I’m not going alone and I’m bringing a big, tall woman none of them have met yet, that their Southern sensibilities will keep them from asking any weird questions and we can just enjoy ourselves. ”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“I seriously haven’t scared you off yet?”

“You haven’t mentioned anything that would yet, not that I’m easy to scare off.”

Jo debated telling Cass more, letting her in on more of the mess so she’d be prepared, but it was too hard to force out the words. Instead, Jo laughed. “I bet if you and a bear met in the woods, the bear would be afraid of you.”

“It’s happened — in wolf form — and maybe you’re right.”

“Wait, really?”

Cass grinned and shrugged.

Jo leaned over the counter further, clasping their hands around the other edge and looking Cass straight in the eyes. “You have to tell me all about it.”