Page 10 of Tempting Fate

“Not any of them?” Jamie asks, and there’s a flicker of heat, an edge of teasing in his tone.

Fire lights in my chest. He’s a little bossy. A bit bratty, maybe. And at least somewhat willing because he doesn’t take it back or avert his gaze when I look at him. He lifts his chin instead, a challenge we both know I won’t take up.

Not yet. Not my first day. I unfurl my own smile, shoving my hands into my trouser pockets, and Jamie’s pulse visibly flutters at the base of his throat. He swallows hard.

“Em, I—”

“What’s this, then?” Nick asks from the doorway. The moment shatters, but I don’t really mind.

“Jamie has built me a wardrobe,” I say, and Jamie yelps, shaking his head.

“No. No! I was walking past, and he couldn’t read the instructions at all, Nick. Honestly, it would’ve been such a mess—”

Nick watches me like he’s testing my reaction to Jamie’s words, his sudden easy attitude. I keep on smiling. I don’t mind teasing at all, so long as it’s good-natured, and they are both clearly not mean-spirited people. After a second, he snorts and shakes his head.

“Hurry up and get it done, would you? We’re going out.”

“Out?” Jamie asks. “Where?”

“Pub. We’ve got something to celebrate. Our new housemate.”

Hmm. Any chance of going werewolf hunting tonight is out of the question—unless I go really late, but I’d rather not do that until I have the lay of the land, so to speak.

I don’t let that show on my face. I nod instead and scoop up the screwdriver again.

“Let’s get these doors on,” I say to Jamie, “then we’ll go celebrate.”