Page 119 of Howlin’ For You

I nod, tucking an errant lock of hair behind my ear.

She stands, making her way toward me and perusing the shelves. “Oh! I’m Juliette, by the way. Can’t believe I didn’t even introduce myself.”

I open my mouth to reply, but she thrusts a book into my hands.

“Here! This one! This one is perfect!” she says, excitement on her round face. “It’s a werewolf romance!”

That’s a little on the nose, but I don’t give it back to her. “Thank you.”

We make our way back to her counter and ring up the book. “You know I was never friends with Nick, but I was really sad when his parents passed. He’s a good guy. I’m glad you’re getting to know him.”

My heart stutters in my chest. His parents passed?

“Oh. Well, um. Thank you for the book. I’m glad, too.”

And with that, I flee out of the store with this new bit of information that I feel a little uncomfortable learning from someone other than Nick.

He’ll talk about it when he’s ready, and I’ll be here for him when the time comes.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

NICK

I’d planned to set up a whole extravagant date night for my first real date with Izzy. I was going to use multiple days to prepare it. Go completely over the top.

But somehow, this woman broke down all my carefully constructed plans with a croissant and a smile.

It won’t be exactly as I’d dreamed, but at least we’ll have some time alone.

By the time I’m done working, I have just two hours to craft a first date that will knock her off her feet.

My first stop is to Wolfsbane, Dane’s flower shop. He inherited it from his mother when she retired, and the man has a hell of a green thumb.

I open the door, and the chime above twinkles just like Izzy’s laugh. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved that specific windchime. Maybe that was because of Izzy all along.

“Nick!” Dane’s face lights up. Probably the least hairy werewolf I’ve ever met, to be honest, with his slightly bushy eyebrows and clean-shaven chin. “What the fuck are you doing here? It’s good to see you.”

We clasp hands as I approach, and it turns into a quick hug. “Good to see you too, man. I need some flowers.”

Dane crosses his arms. “You need flowers?”

“I have a date.”

“You have a date?” He raises an eyebrow.

“With my mate.”

“With your mate?”

“I love you, brother, but you’re going to have to stop repeating me at some point.”

A forced smile cracks onto his face until discomfort fills the space between us. “That’s insane. You met your mate? Really?”

We’ve always been the mate-less best friends, and I guess I didn’t think about how finding my mate first would make him feel. I’m not sure how I would’ve responded had the roles been reversed.

“Build a bouquet and I’ll tell you the story.” His forced excitement concerns me, but I have to stay focused. I only have—I risk a glance at my phone—an hour and forty minutes now.

“You know there’s a language to flowers, right? I need to know what you want these flowers to say.” He throws his hands up in exasperation. “I need some direction!”