Page 44 of Pack Choice

See, headcase.

The rest of our journey home is made in stony silence, and when I offer Ford a goodbye when he opens my door for me, he simply grunts in response.

I step through the front door and walk straight to the wastepaper basket. The screwed up notes are still there and cradling them to my chest, I jog up to my room and call Ava.

After I explain what I want her to do, she calls me back an hour later.

“It’s done. They want to meet you.”

“Want to?” I ask skeptically.

“Yes, want to, Molly. I sent them your picture and they couldn’t say yes quick enough.”

“Did you also tell them about my family, my funky scent and my big mouth?”

“Your brothers are lovely, your scent is not funky and you like to talk, so what?”

“Hmmm.”

“They want to meet you on Friday. They’re going to take you out to Papa Sam’s.”

I grimace. Papa Sam’s is perfectly fine, if you like bland food, elevator music and polite decor.

I shake the thought from my head. Papa Sam’s is probably a very good place for a date.

“Friday,” I say. “You’re on.”

After she’s told me about the dates she’s lined up with her prospective packs, I collapse back against the pillows.

This is good. Just what I need.

An evening with the lone wolf who has my blood pumping. Followed by a date with the sensible pack that will involve … pleasant small talk?

This is what I need. It will help straighten me out. Have me seeing sense. Normal, here I come.

* * *

Somehow,I make it through the next day, despite the way Ford sulks, throwing death-stares Colten’s way. And despite the way Colten marches around with a look of smugness plastered on his face that only has Ford’s blood boiling higher. At least the cupcakes have done their magic. Most of my co-workers are coming around to me. Especially when I bring a tray of pastries in with me this morning. There are still one or two determined to be unfriendly – Simone moaning that all these treats will ruin her waistline – but everyone else is more than happy to answer any queries I have and point me in the correct direction when I’m lost.

Ford is still sulking all the way home at the end of the day. Especially when I refuse for the tenth time to let him drive me to the charity event tonight.

“You know Silver will want me trailing the car all the way to the event,” he says as he opens the car door for me once we arrive home. “You know I’ll be there right behind you all the way. It’s a waste of fuel.”

“I know,” I say.

“It’s bad for the environment,” he adds gruffly.

“You care about the environment?” I ask with amusement. Most of the time sulking irritates the hell out of me. But on Ford, it’s somehow adorable, turning the gruff bear of a man into a teddy bear instead. I can’t help but tease him.

“I recycle.”

I giggle, shaking my head and walking to the door. He lingers by the car.

“Aren’t you coming?” I ask, peering over my shoulder at him. “It’s an hour before we have to go.”

“I should wait outside.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I walk back, taking his arm and tugging him after me. “You can grab a snack, watch some TV. What would you like me to make you? Although, I don’t have time to roast you a chicken.”