I waited until a little after one on Sunday before I sent Alec a text asking if church was over yet. It didn’t take long for him to respond telling me it had been out for nearly an hour.

Don’t worry, though. I just got to my house ten minutes ago. My dad was starved and decided to swing by a burger joint for lunch before heading home.

That made me feel better. At least he wasn’t sitting at his house, waiting on me.

Okay, so should I head over now? - Mina

Yeah, I’m changing really quickly, and then I’ll head out to load the four-wheeler on the trailer. Benji should be here soon, too.

On my way. - Mina

Make sure you wear something you don’t mind getting dirty. Jeans are always best.

I never mind getting dirty. I think I’ll be okay. - Mina

I realized the innuendo someone could find in my words and my face heated.

You’re always down for getting dirty. Good to know.

My stomach flip-flopped. I didn’t know what to say in response, so I said nothing. Instead, I tossed my phone onto my bed and went to the dresser to see if I could find an old pair of jeans. The short shorts I’d put on earlier weren’t going to cut it. I pulled on an old pair of jeans and struggled with the button. They were tight but would have to do.

“Where are you going? And why are you wearing jeans? It’s like eighty-five out,” Gracie said as she barreled into the room.

“Out with Alec. We’re meeting some of his friends and going four-wheeling,” I said as I finally fastened the button.

Gracie rolled her eyes. “Four-wheeling, really?”

“Yeah, I think it’ll be fun.” I shrugged.

“Whatever, it’s too hot to be outside. You’re going to melt in jeans. Besides, I thought Gran warned you not to hang out with that Alec guy anymore.”

“I don’t mind the heat. I’m not going to melt. And Gran never told me I couldn’t hang out with him. She only said she didn’t like me hanging out with him so much.” My mind flashed back to what she’d said about having to choose between man and wolf soon. A shiver slipped along my spine.

Gracie flopped down on her bed and reached for the paperback she’d been reading. It was a paranormal romance novel with a girl and a guy on the cover almost kissing. She enjoyed everything paranormal, as though our day-to-day lives didn’t have enough of it for her already.

“Same difference,” Gracie snapped. “I don’t see why you’re spending so much time with him either. Not when you could be spending all your time with Eli Vargas.” Her brows wiggled up and down in a suggestive manner.

My heart rate increased at the mention of his name. “Why would I spend all my time with Eli Vargas?”

“Why not? He’s gorgeous. He’s Moon Kissed. He’s the Alpha’s son. And he’s definitely got the hots for you. Bonus, he’s got his own place now.”

How did she know he had the hots for me? Better yet, how did she know he’d gotten his own place? I’d only just found out, and it had been by chance. “Mind your own business, Gracie.”

“You know I’m right on all levels.”

I didn’t respond. Instead, I reached for a hair tie off the top of our shared dresser and pulled my hair into a ponytail.

“Fine, ignore me. Ignore Gran. See if I care.” She fluffed her pillows and made herself comfortable on her bed. “By the way, Eli is in our living room. See if you can ignore him on your way out the door for your date with Alec.”

“What? Why is Eli in our living room?”

Gracie didn’t say anything, giving me a taste of my own medicine. Her lips twisted into a smirk as she focused on the pages of her paperback. I held my breath, listening for Eli’s voice. Only low murmurings made their way to my ears. I couldn’t distinguish any words. My steps were slow and cautious as I made my way down the hall toward the living room. Gran was talking to someone, but I wasn’t sure who. Not until I was close enough to hear him reply.

“Thanks, Mrs. Ryan,” Eli said. I could tell it was him by the rich timbre of his voice. “I don’t have a whole lot for the place yet. Especially not pots and pans, so this should come in handy.”

I crept down the hall, pulled by the sound of his voice. It stirred butterflies awake in the pit of my stomach.

“You’ll get settled in soon. These things take time. Now, remember what I said about that pan,” Gran insisted. “You have to make sure you grease it after each use. If you plan on washing it, that is.”

“You don’t wash yours?”

“Not if I don’t have to. Things taste better when they’re cooked in a seasoned skillet.”

“Then maybe I won’t wash mine either.”

I paused at the end of the hall, still slightly hidden. Eli was on the couch and Gran was in her recliner. Dad was nowhere to be seen, and I found myself wondering if he’d already started his daily binge at the bar.

“Then you have to continue to cook the same thing in it. It can’t be used for anything else. The one I don’t wash I use to cook sausage in.”

Eli made a disgusted face that had me cupping my hands over my mouth to keep my laughter in. It was exactly how I felt about it. I’d always thought never washing the pan was disgusting. It was a wonder no one had gotten sick over the years when eating Gran’s sausage.

“Never? You’ve never washed the pan you cook sausage in?”

“Once a year. That’s it.”

Eli pursed his lips together and smoothed a hand along the top of his head. “Huh, okay.”

“You going to come join the conversation or continue to eavesdrop from the hall?” Gran asked, surprising me.

“I wasn’t eavesdropping,” I said as I stepped forward, trying to appear calmer than what I felt from having been busted.

“What would you call standing in the hallway listening to a conversation you’re not part of, then?” she asked with an arched brow. I didn’t say anything, because what could I? She knew what I’d been doing.

“Afternoon, Mina,” Eli greeted me. The way his lips curled over the letters of my name had my knees going weak.

“Hi,” I said with a small smile before shifting my attention to Gran. “I’m headed out. I’ll be back before dinner, though.”

“You better be. I’m making your favorite, pork chops and black-eyed peas with greens.”

“Sounds good,” I said as I slinked out our front door. “See you later.”

“I should probably get going too,” I heard Eli say before the door had even closed behind me. “Thanks again for the skillet. I’ll be sure I put it to good use.”

“You’re welcome. Let me know if there’s anything else you need.”

“Thanks,” Eli said as he bolted out the door. In seconds, he was right on my heels. I could feel the heat of his eyes scorching my backside as I dug my keys out of my purse. “Isn’t it a little hot for jeans?”

“I don’t mind the heat.”

“Never said you did.”

I didn’t look at him. Looking into his eyes was a risk I wasn’t taking. I knew I’d get sucked into their crazy color. Too much time would pass and I’d end up leaving Alec hanging again. I couldn’t do that. The afternoon involved his friends, and I wanted to make a good impression on them. Heck, I wanted to erase the one they’d had of me since birth and replace it with something good.

I found my keys and opened my driver side door. The entire car shook as the latch undid.

“You should swing by my place later tonight,” Eli said.

I froze. My eyes lifted to his. “Why?”

“To see what I’ve done with the place since Friday. It’s a little homier than before.” He shifted the cast iron pan around in his hands as a wide grin sprang onto his face. “And now that I have this nifty skillet, I can whip us up something to eat so the moonshine doesn’t affect you as much the second time around.”

I swallowed hard. Where did he get off inviting me over for dinner and a drink? Was Gracie right? Did he have the hots for me?

It didn’t matter. I was with Alec. Sort of. At least I was working on being with him.

“I don’t think so. Thanks for the offer, though.”

“It’s freestanding,” Eli insisted as he walked away from me backward, his grin never dimming.

“Thanks, but no thanks.” I slipped behind the wheel and cranked the engine, closing the door without glancing at Eli again.

Alec. I was going to meet Alec.

My eyes flicked to the clock on my dash. Too much time had already passed. I should be there by now.

Gravel crunched beneath my tires as I pulled out of my parking space, making my way to the main road. I caught sight of Eli’s back as I drove. His skin glinted in the sunlight, and his muscles flexed and bulged as he swung his arms while he walked. My gaze drifted ahead of him toward old man Winter’s trailer. Something was different. It only took me a second to figure out what.

The cinderblock stairs were gone.

In their place stood a set of beautifully crafted wooden ones. A tentative smile twisted my lips. He’d moved fast on that project. If he’d already changed the stairs, what else had he done to the place? Curiosity simmered through my veins. Not knowing was going to eat at me.

Even so, I wasn’t visiting Eli again. Not tonight. Not ever if I could help it.