“Jessie girl!” Lolly stood waiting outside of the gym. “It’s about time. Were you too wrapped up in Officer Cutie Pie this morning?” Lolly wrapped her in a hug.

Jessica’s cheeks heated. How did Lolly do that? How did she just know?

“You’re glowing.” Lolly held her away and gave her a big toothy grin. “You two should get married and stop living in sin. Come on, we need to get our muscles working.”

Jess followed her inside and put her bag on the bench behind the stair climber. She really didn’t need this. Her muscles were fine. In fact, her whole body was fine. She didn’t have little aches anymore. She didn’t have little bulges either. The wolf’s metabolism had slimmed her, toned her, and made her look hot. All of the workouts that James gave her in bed didn’t hurt either.

“Have you been working out behind my back, Jess? You look great.” Lolly turned her machine on and started moving with the elliptical. Jess tried to contain her smile.

“Not here,” Jess giggled.

“Oh my God, Jess! I have got to get a boyfriend.” Lolly laughed with her.

“And it’s so much better than this thing.” Jess pointed to the stair climber. She increased its speed and pumped her legs. It didn’t even feel like a workout anymore. She barely broke a sweat, then she noticed, neither had Lolly. Jess never paid attention to those kinds of things. Now she was a shifter, she knew why. Lolly was something else. Before, Jess would’ve been too wrapped up in wiping the sweat from herself to see it, but Lolly wasn’t even breathing hard.

She glanced at Jess, and Jess saw the flash in her eyes. She let the machine groan to a stop.

“What is it?”

Lolly furrowed her eyebrows. “What is what?” She stopped her machine also.

“What is it that you turn into?” Jess whispered.

Lolly shrugged and gave her head a little shake then wiped herself with her towel. She didn’t need to because she wasn’t sweaty.

Jess flashed her eyes back at her, and Lolly gasped.

“Jessie,” Lolly squeaked.

“What is it?” Jess persisted. “Tell me. You know that I know.”

“Black bear.” Lolly turned and went to her bag for her lollipop.

Jess sat down on the bench beside Lolly’s bag.

“Wolf,” Jess whispered. Lolly stared at her for a moment then sat down hard beside her.

“I’m having trouble understanding how I missed that for this long,” Lolly said, staring at her.

“Did you know about the cats in accounting?”

Lolly nodded.

“Did you know that Margaret was their ringleader?”

Lolly nodded again. “How did I miss that?” she asked again, still staring.

“I’m a recent conversion.”

Lolly gave her a face.

“Really. I didn’t know until recently that my father was and mother wasn’t, but when I mated, my biology switched on. That’s what my mom’s latest husband said.”

Lolly thought about it for a moment.

“My father said that it wasn’t possible, and my mother believed that, so she never told me.”

“Huh.” Lolly still stared.

“Say something.” Jess grinned stupidly.

“Just wondering how you are going to herd cats,” Jess laughed.

“What does that mean?”

“When I give you Margaret’s job you’ll have to herd cats. She still hasn’t called or emailed. I’ve left messages. Do you know anything about it?” Lolly asked seriously.

“She won’t. You won’t hear from her again.”

Lolly’s head tipped to one side.

“Margaret Lansing was in the park late at night and was attacked by an animal. She died. My boyfriend is the captain of police and that’s what I heard.”

“You heard?” Lolly’s brow lifted and her eyes sparkled with mischief.

“That’s the official story,” Jess said softly.

“What really happened?”

Jess shrugged. “My opinion?”

Lolly nodded.

“I think she tried to hunt some poor animal and it got the best of her. She was probably expecting weak and submissive but found out that sometimes things are not as they seem.” Jess put her arm through her bag’s handles. “Let’s shower and get to work. My new boss is a stickler for punctuality.” Jess gave Lolly a grin.

“Oh, for crying out loud, you aren’t turning into her already, are you?” Lolly followed her into the shower room. “I mean really, Jessie.”

“No, I’m not in charge,” Jess giggled.

“But when you are, will you be like her?”

Jess made a face, and Lolly stepped into her shower stall.

“I thought not.” She snapped the curtain closed.

When they’d finished their showers, Lolly was spraying the legendary perfume all over herself. “How can you stand that?” Jess asked, studying her.

“It protects me from predators,” Lolly said quietly.

“My nose is so overactive since…”

“I got used to it. The cats don’t know who I am. I’d prefer to keep it that way.”

Jess nodded and stood.

“You said that your biology kicked in, so Officer Cutie Pie… That explains his magnificent ass.”

“Lolly!” Jess squealed and smacked her. They were alone in the locker room, but that magnificent ass was hers and not up for discussion.

“Sorry, Jess, but it is magnificent. Does he have any single friends that would be, you know, into someone like me?”

Jess thought about it. “I don’t know them well enough, but I can fish around if you like. You’d be interested in that with, um, a wolf?” Jess whispered.

“I’m beyond having more kids, but I’d still like a…friend.”

Jess nodded. “Let’s get coffee and I’ll see what I can do. Maybe you’ll get lucky.”

Lolly laughed at that.

Jess thought about Espo and wondered if the big mechanic bear was single. She would make a beeline for the garage at lunch to speak to David.

 

“David?” Jess bent over to see him under the dump truck. She’d made a beeline for the garage as soon as the clock struck eleven. He clunked his head and rolled out, rubbing it.

“Jess, you shouldn’t be here without the Cap. He won’t like it. Go back.”

Jess smirked. James knew there was no reason to worry about her being faithful.

“James won’t mind. Your friend, the bear, is he single?”

David’s eyes widened and he backed away.

“It’s not for me. Jeez.” Jess’s brows dipped forward. “Is he?”

“I told you to leave. Make sure you tell him that.”

Arms were suddenly around her, and kisses trailed down her neck.

“My boyfriend is going to beat the crap out of you, but don’t stop.” Jess leaned back against him. “Lolly is a bear,” she said quietly as she turned her head to catch James’s mouth. “I want to set her up with Espo if he’s single, but David won’t help me.”

“Hey, Espo!” James let go of her and walked across the garage. “Espo!”

The big man came up from the hole under the car he was servicing.

“James, how are you? What can I do for you?” Espo wiped his hands with a gray rag and stuck one out to shake James’s clean one. James motioned for her to join them.

Jess went and looked up at the mountain of a man then gave him her sweetest smile.

“Are you single?”

He looked from her to James.

“Forgive my mate. She is on a mission.”

Espo nodded.

“You are?”

He nodded again.

“A friend of mine in HR is like you and looking for someone. You should pay her a visit. She’s a beautiful person.”

“She is, Espo, and you guys would be great together.” He pulled Jess closer into his side.

“Be in the coffee room on the south side at two. I’ll bring her.” Jess reached out and grabbed his hand. “Really, you’ll like her.”

“Okay, that’s enough.” James pulled her back, and Jess giggled.

Espo’s face lit up and he laughed. It was a deep rumbling sound that made Jess giggle harder.

“See you later, big guy,” James called, pulling her away.

“I think you’re jealous.” Jess leaned into him and whispered as they walked. “I can’t touch anyone else?” She grinned up at him.

“Not single bears. No.” He gave her a grave look. “It bothered me, yes. I’m not going to hunt him down for it, but I didn’t like it.”

“Oh James.” She leaned up and pecked his cheek. “As if there could ever be anyone else that would remotely interest me. I need to get back to work and I have to find Lolly. See you later.” She let him drag her into his arms and kiss her. His tongue slid into her mouth, claiming what was his. She moaned.

“Don’t forget that feeling. I want you to think about me all day.”

“I was going to do that anyway.” She winked and headed toward her office. She nodded and smiled at people along the way. Six months ago, she wouldn’t have been in this hall, and if she was, she wouldn’t have nodded or smiled at the people she passed. Her wolf and her man had done this for her. They made her confident and able to face the world. She saw Lolly headed down the hall to her office and jogged to catch up.

“Guess what?”

Lolly grinned down at her question. “I give up. What?”

Jess looped her elbow around Lolly’s arm. “I want you to meet someone. He will be in the coffee bar at two, and he’s like you.”

A man she’d never seen before was walking toward them, obviously listening. “He’s single, too.”

Lolly raised her eyebrows.

“He’s a mechanic here and his name is Espo.”

Lolly waited expectantly.

“He’s tall and sweet. You’ll love him.”

“Taller than me?”

Jess nodded.

“And like me?”

She nodded again.

“Coffee bar at two. I have a meeting, but I will reschedule. You’re coming with me.”

“Of course I am. I have a feeling James might show up, too. He doesn’t like me around single men.”

“Duh, Jessie girl. Don’t do that to him. You have a good man. Don’t try to make him jealous.”

“I didn’t. I won’t. I couldn’t be with anyone but him.” Jess grinned. “Come to my office just before two and we’ll walk together.” Jess let go of Lolly and went to her office.

Jess opened the program to place orders. She was still doing only her job because she wasn’t named as acting department head yet. She began the process of finding a desk chair to replace one in the mailroom. Before she knew it, Lolly was in her doorway.

“One fifty.” Jess looked up at her stupidly, then it hit her.

“Oh!” She sprang from her chair and hurried to join Lolly. “Sorry, lost in cyberspace.”

Lolly gave her a worried look.

Jess nodded. The coffee room was empty, so they made their cups while they waited. Jess glanced up when Espo filled the doorway.

“Espo!” Jess cried and waved him inside the room. His gaze was on Lolly, but he moved forward. “Espo, this is my friend Lolly. Lolly, this is Espo.” Jess saw both of their noses twitch and almost laughed. She wouldn’t have noticed that before, but now it seemed like everyone did it. The big man stuck out his hand and took Lolly’s when she offered it. He licked his lips, and Jess would’ve sworn that Lolly blushed.

“So, how are things shaping up here?” James came in and swept Jess into his side. He kissed her temple. “What’s happening?”

Jess shrugged.

Espo and Lolly were still staring at each other. Neither of them spoke. James clapped his hands to get their attention.

“Dan Dan’s after work, double date, how about it?” Lolly nodded, and Espo’s face lit with a smile. “Good. You guys can stare at each other there, too.” Jess elbowed him, and he laughed. “Sorry, but…”

“Give them a minute. I think it’s been a long time for both of them.”

She huffed out a breath, and he gave her a hug.

“I don’t know how long they are going to do that,” James chuckled, “but I need to get back to work. I’ll walk you to your office.”

He kept her under his arm until they arrived at her office. Once she was inside, James gave her a little wave when she sat down and closed the door. She blew him a kiss through the window, and he smiled then disappeared.