number on the palm of her hand. “Your future is clear.”
Stifling a smile, she narrowed her eyes. “You’re a ballsy motherfucker.”
“And you’re the first thing that’s truly interested me and my wolf in a long, long time.”
Taken aback, Mila didn’t know what to say. It hadn’t been a playful comment. He looked so serious. She wouldn’t have thought he did “serious.”
Just as Mila pulled her hand from his, the door opened. Her frown melted away as Ingrid Devereaux, her grandmother, walked inside. As usual, she was clad in vintage clothes with her hair styled in an old-fashioned updo. She was also adorned in antique jewelry that was similar to those she sold at the antique store directly across the road. Ingrid managed the shop, overlooking the fact that Vinnie often smuggled money via said antiques.
“Hi, Grams,” greeted Mila.
“Hello, doll.” Ingrid’s face split into a wide smile as she spotted the wolf. “Dominic!”
“Mrs. D.” Grinning, he straightened. “How was heaven when you left it?”
Blushing, Ingrid flicked a hand at him. “Always the charmer.”
His eyes briefly dropped to Ingrid’s burgundy blouse. “That color looks good on you.”
It did, actually, but her grandmother would surely snort at that corny . . . Oh my God, Ingrid was lapping this up!
Smoothing a hand down her blouse, Ingrid asked, “You think so?”
He nodded. “Oh yeah. You’re totally working it.”
Giggling like a teenager, she lightly touched his arm. “Aw, thanks, sweetie.” Ingrid blew a kiss at Mila and gave her a look that said they’d talk in a moment. She then headed over to Evander, who was cleaning his station.
Mila lifted a brow at Dominic. “You’re flirting with my grandmother? Really?”
“You don’t have to be jealous, Mila,” he said. “The only girl I want is standing right in front of me. Frowning.”
“Yeah, well, I’m unavailable.”
His eyes narrowed. “So you are dating someone?”
“No, but I’m entering into an arranged mating.”
He stilled, his face hardening in a way that made her cat go on full alert. “An arranged mating? When’s the big day?”
“It’s not official yet, so there’s no set date, but it’s likely to happen.”
The tension left him, and his mouth curved. “Not official yet, huh? Well, arrangements like those fall through all the time, you know.”
She cursed, realizing she’d just stupidly presented herself as even more of a challenge than before. God, she was such an idiot. “You should drop this, GQ.”
“Maybe. But we both know I won’t.” He skimmed his fingertip down the side of her face. “Be sure to call me, Mila.” After saying a quick goodbye to Evander and Ingrid, he breezed out of the shop.
Evander started toward her. “Well, well, well. Lothario has set his sights on Mila.”
Ingrid hurried over, her heels click-clacking on the floor, eyes sparkling. “What did he write on your hand? Evander said he scribbled something on your palm.”
“It’s nothing,” said Mila, hoping they’d drop the subject.
Ingrid grabbed Mila’s hand. “Ooh, is that his cell number? I saw him here while I was across the street, and I figured he’d be flirting with you. I met him at Madisyn’s mating ceremony—that boy could charm the birds out of the trees with just a smile.” Ingrid cocked her head. “But I must say, you don’t look charmed.”
“Well, I’m not.” For the most part.
Evander’s brows lowered. “You’re not gonna call him?”
“No,” replied Mila.
Ingrid gaped. “Why not? He’s gorgeous and charming, and you’re both single.”
“Grams, you do realize that he only wants a quick fumble in the dark with me, right?”
Ingrid lifted her shoulders. “And whatever’s wrong with a fumble? Really, doll, I don’t see why there has to be anything quick about it.”
Mila held up a hand. “I don’t feel like being another notch on GQ’s bedpost. That’s all I’d be to him. I don’t think he’s quite the player he pretends to be, but I know he wouldn’t want more than sex. You’re my grandmother. Shouldn’t you be offended on my behalf?”
“Would you want more than sex with him?”
“No.”
“Then I don’t see the problem.”
“Neither do I,” Evander chipped in.
Mila lifted her hands. “And I’m done with this conversation.”
“What conversation?” asked Archie as he came strolling out of the break room.
Leaving the three of them to gossip like little old women, Mila tidied her station.
Archie didn’t push her in Dominic’s direction; he simply reminded her of something he’d been telling her for years: “Dominant male wolves are more trouble than they’re worth.”
Ingrid waved that away. “You say that about every species other than pallas cats.”