Chapter 17: Intruders

The sun had slid to the western horizon by the time our last guests left. Lily went with Ash, so Grey and I were left alone on the patio to clear the soda cans, paper plates, and pizza boxes.

Maybe Nikki had done me a favor. Ever since Grey saved me from drowning, he was charming and attentive once again. I was relishing every second with him.

“Are their appetites normal?” I asked while placing one of fifteen pizza boxes into a trash bag.

“Normal for shifters,” Grey replied. “We burn a lot more calories than humans.”

“I bet running around the woods on four paws takes a lot of fuel,” I teased.

He gave me his best scary glare.

I stuck my tongue out at him, and Grey picked me up and spun me around until we both were laughing.

I was in such a good mood I didn’t want to talk about Nikki, the Shaws, or my parents. I was spending time with Grey. I didn’t care about anything else.