“Hey, Lee!” Imogen said into her phone, as she wrangled a cocker spaniel into the sink. “What’s up? Everything going good with Piper?”

“Yeah, great!”

“That’s awesome! Hold still!”

Lee laughed and asked, “Need me to come and help out?”

“No, but I can’t talk long. I’m on a deadline with this one.”

“Why don’t you come over after work? Have a drink with us and get to know Piper.”

“Are you sure? I mean, you just mated. I don’t know much about that, but it sounds pretty serious. I don’t want you two to start pawing each other in front of me.”

“Was that a shifter joke?”

“I don’t think so,” she said with a giggle. “Maybe a groomer one?”

“What time can you be here? Piper wants to have the wine and hors d’oeuvres ready when you arrive.”

“Eight?”

“Perfect.”

She didn’t give him the usual reminder about her vegetarian diet, as she’d given it up entirely. Once the piece of steak landed on her tongue, she knew that part of her life was over, at least for the time being. She thought that maybe her body was telling her something about her health and decided to speak to her doctor about it. She figured she’d run some blood tests to identify any vitamin deficiencies she might have, and then she’d pop some pills for a while and return to her normal lifestyle.

“Thanks. I’m glad you invited me. I need to talk to you about something, anyway. Hopefully, Piper won’t mind. I don’t wanna be a wedge between you two. Ya know, I tried to give my key back.”

“Of course, you’re not! We’ve been friends forever. My mating isn’t going to affect that. So, what’s going on? Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just not getting much sleep, and when I do catch an hour or two, I keep dreaming about this guy.”

“Describe him.”

“Why?” she asked, as she squirted shampoo onto the dog’s spine.

“Uh… maybe telling me about it will help you get it out of your system.”

“Well, okay. But I’m sorry if it’s TMI.”

“As if. Come on.”

“Okay.” She paused, massaging the pup’s back. “He’s incredibly handsome. Dark hair. It comes down to the middle of his neck. It’s unruly, so he puts stuff in it to try to tame it.” She laughed. “It won’t cooperate with him.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Thick brows... but not the yucky kind. You know what I mean.”

“Yeah.”

“Piercing brown eyes. And when he looks at me, it’s like he sees right down into my soul.”

“Go on.”

“Tall. Maybe 6’2”. I’m not sure. But when he holds me, everything fits right, and I feel so safe. It’s like I’ve fallen in love with him.”

“He’s touching you in your sleep?”

Imogen sighed, as she sprayed water on the dog, rinsing the suds away.

“How honest can I be with you?”

“Completely.”

“He’s making love to me in my dreams.”

“Whoa. Whoa. Whoa! Immie, are you serious?”

“Yeah. Sorry to be so blunt, but you’re my best friend. If I can’t be honest with you....”

“You can tell me anything! You know that.”

“It’s a shame that doesn’t work both ways.”

“What does that mean?”

“You didn’t tell me about your feelings for Piper.”

“I was trying to figure it out. I wasn’t keeping it from you on purpose.”

“I hope not.”

“I wasn’t.”

“Okay. I’m not gonna lie. When you introduced me to her, I was a little hurt. That was something really important that was going on with you, and I had no idea.”

“I’m sorry. Forgive me?”

“Yeah, of course! I’m so happy for you, Lee! When’s the wedding?”

“Huh?”

“You know, the ceremony.”

“Oh, we won’t be doing that. I mean, we’re mated, so there’s no need. But after my secret operation is over, we’ll have a huge party.”

“That sounds great! Make sure to let me know when and where!”

“Let’s get back to you and what you haven’t been sharing with me.”

“Well, it’s the best sex I’ve ever had, and wouldn’t you know...” She rolled her eyes at her predicament. “...it’s with myself.”

“Hmm.”

“Ya know what’s weird, though?”

“Besides what you’ve already told me?”

“There’s always a 9 mm on the nightstand, and I hate guns. What is this guy, mafia, or something? How the hell is my head coming up with this?”

“Be here at 7, Immie. Earlier if you can. Piper really wants to spend some time with you and get to know you better. I’ve told her how important you are to me.”

“Unless I get a cancellation, 8 is the earliest I can make it. I gotta go home and clean up, before I go to your place. I’m not gonna sit down to a glass of wine with your new mate, smelling like wet dogs and flea dip.”

“I don’t think it matters,” he mumbled.

“Huh?”

“Nothing. Just bring the change of clothes you keep in your backpack and shower here. It’ll be faster.”

Assuming Lee wanted her to bond with Piper as quickly as she could, she said, “Okay. I’ll do that. Gotta go!”