worker who can fill in when a bomb drops on your life.”
“What bomb?” I asked. “Nothing could possibly turn my world upside down overnight.”
Just then, knuckles rapped on the glass door. When I leaned back to get a look, I saw Lakota with his hands cupped around his eyes, peering inside.
Boom.
Chapter 24
“Lakota!” Hope’s mother flew out of her seat and rushed for the door, her long braid swinging behind her.
Lorenzo rose to his feet while wiping his hands on a napkin. He looked like he wanted to say something, but he remained quiet with a skeptical look on his face. Hope covered her mouth, her eyes filled with tears of joy as she sprang from her seat and ran over to greet him.
I scooted down in my chair, panic rising like a tide. After hugging his mother, Lakota lifted Hope off the ground in a bear hug that only a brother could give. I envied her in that moment.
“You did it, baby sister. I’m proud of you.”
When her feet touched the ground again, my heart began to beat so fast that I couldn’t breathe or think straight. I casually lifted my milkshake from the table. “Hey, Lakota.” My trembling hands belied my calm greeting, so I set the cup down without drinking from it.
He flicked a glance at me and smiled as he bowed in greeting to everyone. Caleb, Lorenzo’s second-in-command, gave up his seat so that the only thing between Lakota and me was my uncle Wheeler.
Hendrix coolly leaned back in his chair, balancing on the rear legs. “Good to see you, stranger. Do you want to sit with us at the kiddie table?”
Lakota set down a small box and looked at the round table behind me. “Let’s hang at Howlers tonight and catch up over a few beers.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Lennon said, returning to his conversation with William.
I felt sweat beading on my upper lip and the back of my neck. While I hadn’t expected Lakota to show up for our opening, I’d been preparing for it in my head. I would be sophisticated and greet him with a friendly kiss, ask him how life was treating him. We would drink champagne and laugh like old friends. But there I was, gripping my chair like a terrified passenger on a jetliner plummeting toward the sea.
Why does he have to look so damn good? That sleeveless blue shirt was practically married to his chest. His dark denims were a perfect fit for a man his size, and the leather choker with a silver arrow wasn’t a piece I’d seen on him before. The silver wolf belt buckle encased in turquoise pulled my attention right to his crotch. Even with my uncle between us, I could smell his cologne, and he’d never been big on that kind of thing. Then again, the old Lakota had wanted to repel women’s sexual advances, not invite them.
I peered down at his black boots, and when I realized that he was noticing me noticing him, I stripped my gaze away.
Lorenzo patted his shoulder before taking a seat. “What brings you back home? Vacation?”
“You could say that. I wouldn’t miss the store opening for anything, even a free barbecue day at The Pit.”
Everyone chuckled.
Ivy looked across the table, her face fraught with worry. “How long will you be staying this time?”
Lakota pilfered a fry off Wheeler’s napkin. “Actually, I’ve been thinking about retiring. Not sure if everyone here knew, but I’ve been working as a bounty hunter these past few years. It’s given me a lot of experience and income, but my wolf feels the call to come home.”
“Good for you,” Austin said, slapping his hand on the table.
Lakota flashed me a look I couldn’t discern, and I shot out of my seat.
“I have a cake. Let me go get it,” I said robotically, fleeing the scene before someone in the room picked up on my anxiety.
As soon as I entered the break room, I paced back and forth. I can’t believe he actually came! And here I am, acting like a startled rabbit. What if he says something? When did he start looking and smelling so damn good? I probably smell like sweat and hamburgers.
I walked past the four-chair table and yanked open the fridge door. My heart still racing, I pulled out the red velvet cake and set it on the table. Snap out of it, Mel.
“Hey.”
Lakota startled me so much that I stumbled backward.
“What are you doing in here?” I whispered.
“I