Page 34 of Someone Else's Wolf

Peter cleared his throat. "Um. Hey. About what you said. Last time."

I tensed. "Oh?" What had I said? I'd said a lot of stuff, hadn't I?

"I talked with Sue. She really..." His voice trailed off for a moment, then came back firm. "She really doesn't like you. It turns out that you were right about her speaking to the recruiter. I'm not pleased with her about that. We, uh, had words, and I've asked her to please not interfere with my personal life. And I'm not going to apologize for that."

"Is someone asking you to?"

"Sue thinks I'm usually the one in the wrong if we disagree." His voice was wry. "But I was quite firm, and I intend to stay firm. Just because we're partners doesn't mean she has a say in...personal issues."

What was I supposed to say here? "Yeah."

"So, she won't be a problem anymore."

Yeah, because I won't be working near you, and there's not much she can do to sabotage my career in a different field. And it's not serious to you, anyway. "Great."

"And, um, it was nice to see you the other day." He was fishing, I could tell.

"You too." I tried to hide my grin, not wanting him to hear it in my voice. It had been good to see him. Messed up, mixed up, sexed up...and so good.

"Well." He cleared his throat. "We probably can't do that again."

Considering it was almost graduation, no.

"Did you get in much trouble?"

"Some stares. A few remarks. Kirk thinks I'm an idiot to be with a wolf." That had just slipped out. I cringed. Would he get uptight about the "be with" and think I was asking for some definition, some commitment?

"He doesn't have a say, does he? No more than Sue does." He sounded uncertain, like he really didn't know.

"No, he doesn't have a say." I closed my eyes. Such tricky waters to navigate. It might have been easier if we had been face to face. Then again, maybe not. Part of me wanted to tell him to take a hike, since he didn't want anything serious, but it wasn't a very big part. Mostly, I just wanted to be right next to him and wrap myself in his warmth. I'd missed him so much.

I floundered on. "I mean, I trust him, but he doesn't get to decide everything about my life."

"Oh. Great." Pause. "He really doesn't like me much, huh?"

"He's not a fan."

He cleared his throat. "I guess wolves aren't his favorite...people."

That, and he thinks you're treating me like shit. But I wasn't going to get into it. "So, what time will you be here? Will I see you before the ceremony?"

"I don't know. I'll try to be early. I still need to figure out what to bring your partner."

"And what are you bringing me?" I teased.

"I'd prefer not to say. Spoil the surprise."

My toes curled. He still made my stomach flutter sometimes. His laugh, his kindness, his voice... I really needed to pull myself together. And was he really coming to graduationandbringing me something?

"I'll look forward to it," I said.

"Good. Do. And, um, if you haven't decided on a job already, the hospital near here is definitely interested."

"Yeah, we have a job lined up. A diagnosis center about twenty minutes from my place. Kirk will be moving to the area. We'll be on call to consult with a few of the other hospitals nearby, as well. It's all sorted out."

Assuming none of them changed their minds once they'd met me and Kirk. And that Kirk didn't get his back up and storm out. But that was kneejerk pessimism; I really didn't think there would be any problems, or at least none we couldn't handle.

In general, a phone call had been all it took; having us on retainer was a good move, apparently. All they'd needed to know was that we were getting our official certification and would be working in the area. Our main gig would be the diagnosis center, but other medical establishments had been excited about having access to Kirk when they needed him. It boded well, I thought.