Page 2 of Stripe for the Picking (Paranormal Dating Agency #92)

"How do you know my name exactly?" Wren's voice came out smaller than intended, fear and excitement warring in her chest.

"I'm Gerri Wilder." The woman extended a perfectly manicured hand.

"Fellow self-employed businesswoman. I came across your website for your cybersecurity consulting business the other day and recognized your face through the coffee shop window.

" She paused, her eyes sparkling with a hint of admiration.

"Your business is quite impressive, actually.

Your client testimonials read like love letters to your brilliance. "

Relief flooded through Wren as the explanation grounded the surreal moment in something resembling reality.

Of course—her website. She'd worked hard to build her online presence and was proud of the reputation she'd cultivated.

"Thank you. I've worked really hard to build my business these past five years. "

Gerri slid into the chair across from Wren without invitation, her movements fluid and purposeful. "And it shows. But tell me, darling, don't you ever feel like you're using a Ferrari to deliver pizza? All that magnificent brain power solving password problems?"

The observation stung because it was so accurate. "Some days," Wren admitted. "But it pays the bills."

"Bills." Gerri waved a dismissive hand. "What about purpose?

What about using those incredible skills to save an entire planet?

What about helping a man who's brilliant at everything except the one thing he needs most—understanding that sometimes the best warriors need the right partner to truly win? "

Wren's mind raced ahead, already imagining herself packing a suitcase. What would someone even bring to an alien planet? The practical question surprised her—when had she started thinking of this as a real possibility rather than an elaborate joke?

"You're talking about actual interplanetary travel," she said slowly. "Other alien planets. Shifters. This isn't science fiction?"

"Darling, the universe is far more interesting than most people realize," Gerri replied, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "And you strike me as someone who's been waiting her whole life for something interesting."

The truth of that statement resonated through Wren's entire body. She thought of her conversation with Mallory and her desperate yearning for something bigger. Here was a woman offering exactly that, wrapped in designer clothing and impossible claims.

"What would I even pack for something like this?" The question slipped out before she could stop it.

Gerri's eyes lit up with triumph. "Practical clothes, maybe a dress or two. Your laptop and phone, though I doubt you'll need it. And an open mind. Nova Aurora's quite lovely this time of year—temperatures in the eighties and two suns for spectacular sunsets."

Two suns. The detail felt surreal and wonderful. Wren found herself nodding before she realized she'd made a decision.

"Perfect." Gerri stood, her heels clicking against the tile again. "Meet me here tomorrow morning at eight. Then, we'll set off on the adventure of a lifetime."

As Gerri strode away, Wren sat frozen for a long moment. Then her hands were moving, dialing Mallory's number with shaking fingers.

"That was fast?—"

"I'm going to another planet," Wren blurted. "With a woman named Gerri who apparently found my website and thinks I can help a tiger shifter save his world from cyber attacks."

Silence stretched across the line for thirty seconds before Mallory spoke. "Okay, I said you needed adventure, but this sounds a bit extreme for me. But for you? It might actually be perfect. Just... be careful, okay?"

"You know I always am. I'll check in with you if I can. But I don't know exactly how the communications work there." Wren paused to take a steadying breath. "Wish me luck on my new adventure," Wren said, her voice filled with barely contained excitement.

"I wish you all the luck in the universe," Mallory replied thoughtfully. "And maybe you'll find a little romance while you're there as well."

"Don't push my luck too far. Talk to you as soon as I can," Wren said quickly, feeling her throat start to tighten.

Wren ended the call and gathered her things to hurry back home.

She left the coffee shop and walked to her apartment in a daze, her mind already cataloging what she'd need to pack.

Her laptop, portable drives, and comfortable clothes that could handle alien weather.

By the time she reached her apartment, she was mentally planning for a trip she'd never imagined possible.

Later that night after she was all packed, she lay in bed staring at the ceiling, too wired to fall asleep despite forcing herself to get a good night's sleep.

Tomorrow, she'd meet a tiger shifter who was apparently failing at something crucial and who might need her particular combination of skills and stubbornness to succeed.

My life is about to change drastically , she realized. In less than twenty-four hours, everything will be different.

The thought should have terrified her. Instead, it filled her with an anticipation so fierce it felt like electricity in her veins.