Chapter 178

Almara’s Pov

“Want me to stay back?” Arthur asks leaning in to whisper in my ear. I’ve lost my voice, so I just nod. Cathy starts to approach us and luckily my legs still work so I take a few tedious steps towards her.

She has every right to be mad at me. The last time we talked was in jail and that didn’t end well. Then we were supposed to get breakfast and I cancelled on her. Then I cancelled on her again only for the world to see me on what appeared to be a date.

I still haven’t called her back or tried to explain any of it to her.

“Hi.” She says, sounding just as unsure as I feel.

“Hi,” I reply, not quite knowing what else to say.

“I didn’t know you were in town.” She says gesturing towards Arthur and Grace behind me. I suppose this can be added to the list of things I’ve neglected to discuss with Cathy.

“Life has been”

“Busy?” Cathy says, finishing the sentence for me. There’s a slight jab to the heart by the way she says it too, like she’s heard it all before.

“Not necessarily in a good way.” I say half defensively, half apologetically as I dig my toe into the dirt.

“Well, some of it looked fun.” Cathy says raising an eyebrow. I know she’s referring to the apparent date. I sigh. Of all people, I hope Cathy would at least believe me that it wasn’t a date, but given the strain of our friendship, I can’t entirely blame her.

Still, I try to save my reputation as a faithful wife where I can. “It wasn’t a date,” I say. I’m getting so tired of repeating that same line. “It’s a long story.”

“It always is.” Cathy agrees and I grimace at the sad truth behind that statement. This is already off to a rough start. I take a deep breath and when I release, I look Cathy in the eye.

“Look I’m sorry. I know I haven’t been the greatest friend and I’ve been bailing on you, and you have done a lot for me over the months and even before I married Arthur you were always great. The truth is, being the Luna now does come with a lot of responsibilities and I’m still trying to figure it all out.”

I know I’m talking fast, but I keep going. “It’s not that I don’t value our friendship, in fact I appreciate having the kind of friendship where we can put things on hold while I work out what I need to and I hope that when we resume our hangouts and chitchats we can go right back to normal.”

I hold my breath as I wait for Cathy’s reply, somewhere a bird crows over the stretch of silence. “If it makes you feel better, as per my crazy life, I’m back working at the diner,” I add the last part for good measure, just in case.

Cathy smiles at this. “Well, I’m not going to feel bad for you if that’s what you’re expecting.” She says lightheartedly and I feel the weight roll off my shoulders that she’s not mad. “I guess I’ve been a little selfish too with expecting you to be able to be how we always were.”

“Is it safe to come over?” Arthur asks peeking over my shoulder. Cathy and I both laugh.

“Yes,” Cathy says and I know that yes means something deeper than an answer to Arthur’s silly question.

“Good.” I respond.

“May I?” Cathy asks, her eyes filled with a wanting as she looks between me and Grace.

“Ohmygosh! Of course.” I say. I realized Cathy hadn’t even met Grace yet. Cathy slips Grace out of Arthur’s hands and smiles ear to ear. Grace returns her smile with a series of giggles.

“She is precious,” Cathy says. “I should be more mad at you for keeping her away from me this long, but I can’t be mad when holding her.”

I laugh. “Well, we need to fix that. We have a lot to catch up on.”

“Perhaps another time.” Arthur says pointing at his watch. “Don’t want you late on your first day back.” I roll my eyes, I can’t believe I’m going back to work there.

Just then my phone rings. I pull it out and see a number flashing on the screen, but I don’t recognize it.

“Hello?” I answer.

“Almara Covington?” A polite woman’s voice speaks from the other end.

“Speaking.”

“This is Macey from Art Tree Supplies calling you back about your application.”

“Oh!” I say and look at Arthur with delight in my eyes. “Yes, thank you.”

“Would you be able to come in for an interview tomorrow morning?”

“Yes. Absolutely.” I say, nearly cutting the woman off. Then more calmly, “That sounds great.” She gives me the details and hope fills me with each passing second. Maybe I won’t need to stay at the diner after all.

We say our goodbyes to Cathy and make our way to my shift, just in case this other job offer doesn’t work out.

Arthur stands with me outside the diner doors. The parking lot has more cars in it now than from this morning. I hope no one sees us from the window. I plan on just sneaking in the back and staying there until Derek lets me leave.

“Want me to come in and say hello to your boss?” Arthur asks, already heading way towards the back door.

“That’s all right,” I tell him while reaching out grab his arm and pull him back. “Remember, we’re normal wolves for the time being. No executing of power.”

Arthur lets out a huff and reluctantly agrees. “Fine. I’ll be back to pick you up. Just call.”

We kiss and part ways. Arthur goes to his training job while Grace and I sneak into the back door. I keep my head down and try to remain unnoticed, despite carrying a large baby carrier.

Once I’m in through the back I’m hit with the familiar scent of bleach and grease. The back part of the kitchen is always stuffy and wet with the constant running of hot water from sinks and dishwashers. My clothes immediately begin to stick to me.

“No freaking way.” I hear a painfully familiar voice and close my eyes and take a deep breath before lifting my head. Although my name was not called, I know the comment is directed at me.

“Hi, Emma.” I say through gritted teeth. When I do look at her I’m struck with the sudden urge to smack the stupid grin off her face. It’s ironic how she’s getting a kick out of you being here, but what’s really sad is she never even left. Lily points out.

“Prince charming dumped you already?” She says folding her arms over her chest. Now I wish Arthur did walk me in.

“No.” I say, though she doesn’t hear me as she walks over keeping her eyes laser focused on Grace.

“What is that doing here?” She asks, turning her nose up in disgust. My blood runs cold.

“I’m teaching Grace the importance of a good work ethic,” I tell Emma the same lie I fed Derek, but this time it sounds way more stupid. Emma just snorts, letting me know she isn’t buying it.

“Almara!” I hear my voice being yelled from across the kitchen. The sudden outburst causes me to startle. “I didn’t give in to your begging and hire you back so you can chit chat,” Derek shouts, spit flying from his lips. “Get to work!”

Though I could do without his attitude, I am thankful for the interruption. I turn my back on Emma and start towards the sink. Just as I turn around, I run right into a new cook that I haven’t met before carrying a pot of boiling water that splashes all over me. “Watch it!” I hear the cook yell as I yelp in pain and jump back.

I stumble into Grace’s carrier. I try to catch my balance all while avoiding crashing into Grace even further, but I fail. Miserably. I land flat on my tail, my clothes soaked particularly around my groin so I look like I peed myself. All the while, Grace is crying and Emma is laughing at me.

This is going to suck worse than I think I realize while fighting back tears.