Liv pulled up to the security station and smiled at Nick Quinn. “Hey, Saint Nick, how’s it going?”

“Well, hello, beautiful. I’m much better now. Hi, Cassie,” he replied, grinning at Liv and her friend.

“Hiya, handsome,” Cassie spouted as she dipped her head to peer at him through her oversized sunglasses.

“Is Bart here?” Liv asked.

“I just spoke to him. He’s running a little late but said for you to go on over to the guest house. He’ll join you as soon as he can,” Nick explained as the metal gate swung wide, allowing entrance.

“Okay, sounds good. We’ll probably be there for a while,” Liv responded.

“Don’t hesitate to call Patricia for anything you need. Bart’s house is your house,” he said with a wave as they drove through the gate.

“Thank you. You’re the best,” Liv said and blew a kiss his way. “He’s the sweetest man in the world,” she added and turned to Cassie.

“Yep. I’d fuck Nick,” Cassie quipped.

“Geez, Cass. You can’t be serious. He’s got to be around seventy,” Liv countered and rolled her eyes.

She drove past the main house where her friend Bart, the governor of Tennessee, lived and pulled alongside the guesthouse.

“What can I say? I have a fantasy of doing Santa,” she said as she pulled out a hair tie and secured her long brown hair.

Nick was the spitting image of Santa Claus, hence the nickname Saint Nick. His white hair and beard, along with blue eyes that sparkled when he smiled, made him a dead ringer for the jolly old man. All he needed was a red suit and a sleigh.

“You are very disturbed,” Liv teased as she turned off the engine.

“Maybe just a little, but I’d still do him,” she said with a wink. “Now, let’s get this party started,” she added and jumped down from the passenger side of the Jeep.

They walked into the guesthouse, and Liv’s jaw dropped. When Bart agreed to store her furnishings, she imagined everything piled into a giant heap in one of the rooms. Instead, she felt like she was walking into her previous home.

Her sofas and furnishings were arranged nicely in the living room, and as she walked further into the home, she noticed her bedroom furniture was set up in two of the guest rooms. At the end of the hall, she saw her packed boxes stacked neatly in an empty room.

“Holy shit. Remind me to call Bart if I ever need a place to live because this is incredible. Your stuff never looked so good,” Cassie said with a nudge to her side, bringing Liv out of her stupor.

“Yeah, no kidding. Bart went all out. I seriously expected my stuff to be crammed into one room, piled to the ceiling. Seeing it this way makes me miss having my own place,” Liv admitted as she went over to the stack of boxes. Everything was labeled on the outside, listing the contents of each box.

“Don’t you like living in Safe Haven?” Cassie asked.

“I love it, but the bottom line is it’s a hotel. I miss the privacy above all. Well, that and the closet space. Except for our bedroom and bathroom, we share the other areas. Having your own kitchen and living room is nice. I guess there are pros and cons,” Liv admitted more to herself than to Cassie.

She hadn’t considered what she gave up to be with Lawson until now. Before Lawson, she owned a home, and every inch belonged to her. Her mom and closest friends, Bart and Cassie, lived minutes away. Not to mention her favorite restaurants and bars were in Chattanooga, which was three hours from Hollow Rock.

“I see your point, but look at the pros. You’ve got a hot shifter keeping you warm at night. That’s got to outweigh the bad,” Cassie said as she started moving boxes around. “So, where’s the Halloween stuff?”

Liv ignored the first part. Yes, she had Lawson in her bed, but the latest turmoil with the Kristi situation left a bad taste in her mouth. That was a topic they'd discuss later.

“Um, I think I put them all in orange and black containers. They should be around here. There they are, beneath those boxes over there,” Liv said and pointed to the far wall.

They rearranged boxes, trying to keep everything neat and organized while stacking her Halloween boxes off to the side.

“Wow, I didn’t realize you had so much. You’ve got enough here to decorate three houses,” Cassie stated as they removed the lids to the plastic containers to see what was inside.

“You know Halloween is my favorite holiday. But you’re right. I’ve got a shit-ton of decorations. I might not need to buy that much, after all,” she replied as she pulled out the box containing platters and glassware.

She loved the Spooky Night collection she purchased several years ago. And she didn’t remember buying so many pieces, which was a blessing. They would need all of it to host the upcoming party.

“Good thing you rented the small trailer to get all this back to the hotel. It would never fit in your Jeep,” Cassie said, as she looked around in awe at all the orange containers.

“Hey, TKO, how’s my girl?” came the familiar baritone of Bart’s voice.

TKO, which was short for Total Knock Out, was the nickname he gave Liv when they were high school sweethearts. Although the romantic relationship fizzled, their friendship stood the test of time.

Liv turned to see her handsome friend standing in the doorway. How Bart kept a year-round tan, she didn’t know. That and his blond hair, he was the epitome of a California surfer, not a stuffy politician. She immediately jumped up and ran to greet him.

“BS, it’s been way too long,” she squealed as he scooped her into a bear hug.

BS was his given nickname, partly due to his initials but mostly because he was a master Bullshitter.

He hugged her tight, and she returned the sentiment. She missed him. Ever since meeting Lawson, Bart kept his distance. Liv knew he didn’t approve of her relationship. He claimed it was because Lawson was a shifter and their kind didn’t mix well with humans, but Liv wondered if it was more than that.

Bart set her down on her feet and stepped back, holding her hands. “Wow, you get more beautiful every time I see you. What’s your secret because I think we should market it,” he said as he perused her body from head to toe. Liv didn’t miss the way his eyes lingered on her low-cut sweater.

“Always the flirt, Mr. Governor. Trust me. If I find a beauty secret, you’ll be the first to know about it, partner,” she replied, referring to the other half of Smith & Kimbro.

Bart was the last man that needed a beauty secret. He was the most eligible bachelor in the city, if not the entire state. Bart was tall, good-looking, had a great body, and a perfect smile. He was the total package, and women lined up for miles for the chance to be seen on his arm.

Bart smiled at Liv's comment. “I like the sound of that, partner.”

“Speaking of that, I emailed my latest findings on the cancer research. I don’t know if you’ve had a chance to look it over,” Liv shared.

“I haven’t yet. I was going to look at it this weekend,” Bart replied.

“Well, don’t get excited. No big breakthroughs,” Liv added quickly with a shake of her head. It was beyond frustrating that she hadn’t found the right combination to add to the shifter blood. Gut instinct told her that she was onto something, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

“Liv, this isn’t a contest. Stop stressing so much. Keep doing your thing. It will come,” he reassured and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. “So, what are you and crazy up to today?” he asked with a wink to Cassie.

She stuck out her tongue then blurted, “Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it.”

Bart laughed then his gaze returned to Liv. “You said something about costumes when we talked earlier?”

“Yes, I’m throwing a Halloween party at the hotel this weekend. You’ll be there, right?” Liv asked, squeezing his hands.

He released his grip and scratched his head. “Yeah, I don’t know if I can make it. My schedule is tight right now.”

Liv’s heart sank. Bart loved parties and dressing up. She couldn’t count all the times they had dressed up for Halloween. His refusal wasn’t about his work schedule. He didn’t want to be around Lawson.

“Please promise me you’ll try and come. Cassie’s going to make margaritas,” Liv said with a broad grin, hoping to encourage him.

“Of course I’ll try. Is there anything I can do to help? I’ve got another meeting soon, but if you need me to carry any of this out to the trailer, I’m happy to do so,” he offered as he looked around the room.

“No, we’ve got it. Plus, I wouldn’t want you to mess up that fancy suit you’ve got on,” Liv teased and reached out to stroke his finely-tailored jacket.

“I should probably get going then,” he remarked and shoved his hands in his pockets.

“So soon? You just got here. I feel like we never spend time together,” Liv confessed and started chewing on her lower lip.

Bart stared at her mouth briefly then met her eyes. Typically, Liv could read him, but today he was a mystery. She couldn’t decipher his penetrating gaze.

“I’m sorry. I wish I could stay longer,” was all Bart said before he gave Liv a quick hug then turned to walk out of the room. “See ya, Cass,” he added then was gone.

Liv slumped to the carpet, her heart aching. It seemed her whole world was a complete mess. Nothing was going right.

“What’s wrong, girlfriend? You look like you’re about to cry,” Cassie said and came to sit beside her on the floor.

Liv buried her face in her hands. “Oh, Cassie. Everything is fucked up, and I don’t know how to fix it,” she said as she shook her head back and forth.

“What do you mean? Is this about Bart?” Cassie asked.

“Yes and no. It’s mainly about Lawson,” Liv admitted and lifted her head. Cassie’s warm brown eyes filled with confusion and concern.

“What about Lawson? I thought everything was great. Last time we talked you said he told you he loved you. You were on cloud nine.”

“Yeah, that was before Kristi came into the picture,” Liv blurted. She hadn’t wanted to go there, but it was too late now.

“Okay, who’s Kristi?” Cassie inquired.

“She’s one of the shifters they found at the facility in Jackson. And, she’s made it clear she wants Lawson. You should see how she acts around him, practically throwing herself at him every chance she gets,” Liv gritted out.

Cassie reached over and grabbed Liv’s hand. “And what does Lawson say about it?”

“He said he’s not interested in anyone but me. But ultimately, how can I compete with Kristi, Cass? She’s a shifter. They have this connection that I don’t understand and never will. They went on a fucking hunt together, for God’s sake. Killed animals and everything. I can’t fathom even wanting to do that. That part of his world doesn’t make sense to me. And she’s right there, swishing her long furry tail in his face like come and hump me, big bad wolf. What the hell am I supposed to do?” Liv said in a rush. She felt like an insecure schoolgirl, jealous of the pretty new girl in class. It was ridiculous.

“You listen to me. I don’t care how fine Kristi's furry ass is. I’ve seen the way Lawson looks at you. That man only has eyes for you. Don’t let her intimidate you just because she can turn into a four-legged animal. She ain’t got nothing on us, human bitches because we rock their worlds in the bedroom,” Cassie spouted, and Liv couldn’t help but laugh.

“I guess. I feel so left out of this part of Lawson's life. He’s taken on the role of Alpha, which means he’s the leader now. Everyone looks to him and, while I’m super proud of Lawson, I’m also the outsider. I just don’t know if we can last in the long run. We’re so different,” she explained. Hearing the words made it that more real and her chest tightened at the thought of losing him.

“I disagree. I think you two are perfect for each other. You are one of the strongest women I know. Lawson is lucky to have you. You’re both born leaders. Trust your heart, Liv. And trust him. You will work through this together,” her friend said and smiled.

Liv exhaled. Cassie was right. It was time to put all the negativity behind and focus on her future with Lawson. He said he wanted her by his side and that when things at the hotel settled down, they would talk about their future. Hopefully, one that involved him sharing his life force.

“You’re right. Thank you. I needed to hear that. I wish this wasn’t costing me my friendship with Bart. He seemed so distant,” she muttered as she looked at the empty doorway.

“Bart will come around. He’s still licking his wounds over losing you. Just give it a little more time. He’s still there for you. Just look around at what he still does,” she said with a sweep of her hand. “He will always be there when you need him. Now, let’s get this shit packed up. We got a lot to do in a few days,” Cassie declared and jumped to her feet, pulling Liv with her.

The thought alone had Liv’s spirits lifting. A party was exactly what she needed. Make those gray skies float away by getting a celebration underway.

Liv carefully turned off the main road onto the dirt path leading to Safe Haven, careful not to knock over the new mailbox. Pulling the small trailer had been a challenge but was nothing compared to the time she drove the recreational vehicle to Hollow Rock. She laughed as she recalled the night she helped Lawson escape from PRL.

Liv dressed in black from head to toe like some common thief. With her hair shoved into a baseball cap, the night guard mistook her for a man, which ended up being a godsend when she returned to work the following day. But the funniest part was her maneuvering the oversized vehicle. That night seemed like a lifetime ago.

Liv pulled around to the back of the hotel and parked. It would be easiest to take the containers in through the kitchen and store them in the dining area where it was most open. She still couldn’t believe how much stuff she had. She couldn’t wait for Cassie to show up and help decorate for the party.

Liv hopped out of the Jeep and walked to the back door. As soon as she entered the large kitchen, the smell of roasted garlic and onions attacked her senses.

“Oh, Ashley, what yummy goodness are you cooking now?” she said by way of greeting.

“We’re going Italian tonight, chica. Ziti, salad, and homemade garlic knots,” the Hispanic woman said as she glided through the kitchen. Frank Sinatra crooned in the background, and Ashley swayed to the lyrics.

“Ooo, I can’t wait. Anything I can do to help?” Liv asked.

“Nope. I got it covered. Bring your appetite to dinner,” she replied.

“Is Lawson around?” Liv asked.

“I think he mentioned going to the barn to work on a new project,” she said as she went about her preparations.

“Maybe he started on the new fireplace set. The one we have now is rusted, and the other day the poker snapped in half. I put in a request, and he said I could help him with it. I’ll go see if I can’t hunt down a sexy shifter,” she said with a shimmy of her hips.

“Make sure you’re done with his poker by dinner time,” she yelled as Liv skipped out the back door.

Liv jumped on one of the four-wheelers and cranked the ATV. In minutes, she was flying down the worn path leading to the barn. Her blood hummed at the thought of seeing Lawson. Hopefully, Ryan wasn’t there, and they could have a quickie in the hay and work up their appetites. The idea had her core clenching and she punched the accelerator, needing to get to him as fast as possible.

She pulled up to the barn and killed the motor. She half-expected Lawson to be waiting outside. His sensitive ears didn’t allow her much room for surprise. As soon as she heard the welding machine, she understood why he didn’t hear her arrival. It was loud enough she had to cup her ears against the roar.

Liv pulled the door open and stepped inside, only to wish she hadn’t.

Lawson bent over a sheet of metal with Kristi leaning over his shoulder, watching him. Her upper body smashed across his back, and her arm wrapped around his shoulders. Could she get any closer to him?

Neither one noticed her walk in, and Liv was about to turn around and leave when Lawson’s head popped up.

“Hey, sunshine!” he said with a smile.

Liv’s gaze met Kristi’s and a wicked smile spread across the woman’s face. “Hi, sunshine,” Kristi mocked. Liv’s blood boiled at her smug expression.

Shit was about to get real.