"Like hell. Since when can a wolf drive a Jag?"
Grace looked at Vane. "Can you drive?"
"Yes."
"It's settled, then," Grace said. She turned back to Nick. "Take the Jag to the car wash and for heaven's sake clean the McDonald's Happy Meal boxes out of it."
"Hey," Nick said, his face offended. "That's a low blow. Those boxes are collectibles."
Grace ignored him. "What time is your date?" she asked Vane.
"Six."
Amanda handed the keys to Nick. "Okay, Nick, have the car at the house by five-thirty."
"But, but"
"No buts, just do it."
They forced Nick out the door, then turned to face Vane with hands on their hips. It was a good thing Vane wasn't a goose. Even so, he felt thoroughly cooked when two women looked at him like that. He had a distinct feeling he was in for it.
"All right. You want to date a human?" Amanda asked.
He nodded.
"Then come with us and listen well."
Bride checked her watch. It was six on the nose and there was no sign of Vane.
"He'll be here," she told herself as she checked her hair and makeup again in the mirror while trying not to see anything below her chin.
If she did, she'd want to change clothes, and it had taken her a long time to get up the nerve to wear the low-cut, revealing dress Vane had liked. She opened the front door of her apartment only to find no sign of either Vane. Her wolf hadn't been back since he'd run off on her.
She hoped that wasn't a bad sign.
"Get a grip," she said to herself. She hadn't been this nervous in years.
But then she hadn't been this crazy over a man.
Ever.
Someone beeped a horn in front of her gate.
Bride frowned at the silver Jaguar that was idling there. Was that Vane's car? She grabbed her purse, locked the door, and crossed the courtyard to see a man in the driver's seat she didn't recognize.
"Can I help you?" she asked as she drew near.
Around her own age, the man was extremely good-looking, with about a day's growth of beard on his face. Dressed in a tacky blue Hawaiian shirt, he had dark brown hair and a charming grin.
"Are you Bride?" he asked.
"Yes."
He got out of the car and pulled his sunglasses off to show her a set of beautiful blue eyes. "Nick Gautier," he said, holding his hand out to her. "I'm your chauffeur, sort of."
"My chauffeur?"
"Yeah, Vane got tied up, and they told me to get my butt over here and make sure you got to the restaurant on time with no waiting. He said he'd meet you there." Nick walked to the passenger side of the car and opened the door for her.