Chapter 58

Shirley

Keith: Well, my bed is more than big enough for two. If you ever change your mind.

That’s the last text Keith sent last night. The one I’d missed as I fell asleep, and I’m in shock as I read over the words for the fifth time this morning.

Did he actually say that? Had he just been as tired as I was and spewing nonsense? Because that seems very blatantly flirty to me.

But maybe it isn’t. Maybe it’s all in good fun - just like my messages were - and I need to relax. After all, Keith and both know that nothing would ever happen between us, so this is all just nonsense.

That’s what I keep telling myself anyway as I get ready for the day. And I’m still telling it to myself as I leave my room before I head into the kitchen.

And then I find the exact wolf who’d just been at the center of my thoughts. However, he’s not the only one sitting at the table with a beautiful breakfast spread laid out. No, there’s at least a dozen other wolves gathered around.

I begin to question how I hadn’t noticed the voices earlier, but I realize it can probably be blamed on fretting over that damn text message. My lack of awareness has made me completely crash the gathering.

I pause in the doorway, watching all of them. However, it’s Keith who eventually notices me first, and I watch as he also stills, seeming to be at a momentary disadvantage. I stare back at him, wondering if he’s also thinking about our messages and the fact that I’d never replied. I’ve left us both on the edge of our seats.

But soon we’re both let off the hook as Ruth’s voice calls through the room.

“Shirley!” she states loudly, silencing conversations before more eyes turn in my direction. “Good morning.”

“Morning,” I offer back, trying to gather my wits. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea that you had guests over. I’ll just-“ I begin to take a step back, but I’m stopped as Ruth speaks again.

“Oh, no. Please - you should stay,” she insists. “We would love to have you.”

I hesitate for a moment, not sure if accepting her invitation is a good idea - especially because Lily sits at Ruth’s side, giving me a scornful look. But I also know it would be rude to decline the woman’s offer in her own home and in front of everyone.

“Thank you,” I reply finally, forcing myself to come closer. I feel a little self conscious, but no one at the table seems to mind my intrusion. Already, they’re making a spot for me between Keith’s father and another wolf I recognize from the meetings and luncheon - Asher.

I take my place at the table, respectfully greeting Arthur and then the others as I settle. Keith sits across and a few seats down from me, and - though I can sense his gaze - I don’t look toward him.

Finally, conversation picks up again and I begin to dig into the food provided. It’s all delicious, but I don’t eat much as I can feel the nerves residing in my stomach. I chew slowly as I look around at the other guests, seeing a few unfamiliar faces before I glance over Ron and Lily. Now, Lily no longer stares in my direction, allowing me to study her.

She’s still seated beside Ruth and gives the woman her full attention. In fact, Lily practically seems like a different person as she’s bubbly and rattling away happily. And Ruth smiles as she listens, staring at the girl with decent interest as she takes sips from her mimosa. I can’t help but wonder what Ruth truly thinks of Lily.

However, my attention is pulled away as Arthur begins to address me.

“I heard you come from the west,” he states warmly. “How are you liking it here?”

“I love it,” I reply simply. “The cold takes some getting used to, but I love seeing the leaves change.”

Arthur hums in reply. “You should see the leaves in England,” he says, and already he’s shifting so he can pull out his phone. He then opens up his photos, leaning a little closer so he can show me. Gladly, I glance over.

“Oh my…” I begin as I look at the first photo, seeing the red leaves that glisten in the rain as they stand out from the cobblestone. “That’s beautiful.” He then swipes, showing the entry to a few adorable shops.

“Ruth fell in love with the area we stayed in,” Arthur tells me then. “She told me we better move there within the next ten years or she’ll disappear in the middle of the night.”

We both share a laugh at the comment, but then he swipes to another photo - showing them posing in front of the theater as they smile happily. The contentment on their faces tells me that Ruth was only bluffing, she’d never actually leave his side.

The thought has me glancing up, my gaze flicking over until it somehow lands on Keith. And then I nearly freeze as I find him already looking at me. Well, not just me. He’s watching his father and me, and there’s interest on his face…and maybe even a strange fondness. It makes me want to raise a brow, but I find myself looking away instead.

Especially because Arthur is now getting up from his seat.

“My apologies. You’ll have to excuse me, Shirley,” he says. “I have some meetings to get to.”

“Of course,” I tell him with a nod. “Enjoy the rest of your day.”

“You too,” he says with a smile, and then he walks away - making sure to plant a kiss on top of his wife’s head before he leaves the room.

From there, the rest of us finish up our meal. But now I mainly talk to Asher on my other side, sharing pleasant and comfortable chatter as he clears his plate. I’m glad I was seated next to him as he’s around my same age and actually provides interesting conversation. When he makes a few well-timed jokes, I even find myself freely laughing as I glance around to see if anyone else has heard.

And that’s when I look at Keith again. But this time when he stares my way, his demeanor has changed. He seems tense, annoyed. His gaze is harder as - once again - he doesn’t just stare at me, but also the wolf at my side. It causes a familiar question to enter my head…again becoming suspicious that Keith may be…jealous.

After all, he hadn’t reacted that way when I’d been talking to his father. But now he seemed distant after watching me engage with the wolf? It was so similar to his reaction from the party that I can’t help but feel they’re correlated.

Only, I don’t want to put Keith or I in that exact situation from the other night as I recall our interaction in the car. I would never dare to question his behavior straight to his face again.

That would be very…unprofessional.

~

Following breakfast, we had another company meeting that seemed to go well, even if Keith didn’t say much. I wonder what kept him so tight-lipped, leaving me wanting to ask him if he’s okay. However, before I can’t go to his desk, a few other wolves - including Asher- approach me.

“Hey, Shirley,” Asher begins. “A few of us were planning on going to Bounce tonight and were wondering if you wanted to join.”

I’m surprised by this invitation, seeing as they’ve never asked me before. However, I’m also delighted by it, feeling flattered as I flash them a smile.

“Sure, I’m in,” I reply, excited by the opportunity to get out of the house a little. I fear I might go stir crazy if I don’t go have some fun soon. And seeing as there haven’t been any new threats, I figure it’s safe to go.

“Perfect,” Asher says with a smile. And then the wolves walk away together as I continue to gather my things.

However, as I grab my laptop, my eyes betray me once more as they decide to slide over to Keith…wondering if he heard our conversation. And when I find him still sitting, not meeting my eye though he is even more rigid and frustrated…I can’t help but feel as though he has.

After all, Keith hears everything.

~

I have to admit that it’s nice to be out tonight, especially as the wolves in my company are so carefree and laid back. Their demeanor is much different than how they appear during the meetings - each of them shedding their serious nature as they laugh and talk.

I keep up with them at every turn, falling into the rhythm easily. It really was kind of them to invite me along - even if Keith had been displeased. In fact, he seemed to be avoiding me as I hadn’t even seen him after the meeting or when I’d left. Then again, he could have been attending to other important matters.

After finishing my first drink, I set my glass back on the bar, feeling my bladder ache with needed release.

“I’m going to use the restroom,” I tell Asher at my side. “I’ll be right back.” He answers me with a wide smile before I slip away.

Walking across the bar, I find myself pulling out my phone as I realize I didn’t have the chance to call Jean tonight. Instead, I decide to send her a text, letting her know I’m okay before I ask how she’s doing. I’ve just sent the message when I consider sending another. However, this one would be for Keith. I don’t know why, but I also have the urge to let him know I’m alright, to see how his night is going.

Only, I never have the chance to act on my impulse - which may have been a blessing in disguise. But nothing feels like an actual blessing as my steps come to a stop as someone steps into my path, making me halt before I slowly raise my eyes up to them.

And I find Ralph standing in front of me, giving me that malicious and hungry smirk.

“Evening, Shirley.”