“You are pretty cute. The hat is just lucky to be on your head.”

She laughed, flattered and unsure of what to say to such kind words, besides, “Thank you.”

He paid for the hats, and they headed back onto the street wearing them. They stopped at a few more stores, looking and laughing and having a great time.

Monalisa’s stomach rumbled as they left the last shop.

Van took her hand. “I know that sound. Time to eat.”

She flattened her hand against her stomach. “I guess I am getting hungry.”

“Good. I am starving. And I know just the place.” He tipped his head toward something farther up the street.

She followed his gaze. “A biker bar?”

Van shook his head at Lisa’s comment. Howler’s was a lot like him. It looked like one thing on the outside, but on the inside, it was so much more. “It’s not just a biker bar. You will see.”

He guided Lisa to the door, opening it for her. As soon as they were inside, he spotted Bridget Merrow behind the bar and gave her a wave.

Bridget came over. “Van, how are you? I knew you were back in town, but I figured you were holed up recovering. Bum deal, man.”

He nodded, but didn’t want to dwell on that. He slipped his hat off. “Bridget, this is my friend Lisa. Lisa, this is Bridget Merrow. She owns Howler’s.”

Lisa and Bridget shook hands. Bridget was all smiles. “Nice to meet you, Lisa.”

“You too, Bridget.”

He could tell what Bridget was thinking, that Lisa was the first woman outside of Pandora that he’d ever come in with so they must be more than friends. Bridget gave him a look that confirmed that. “Van, where have you been hiding her?”

“I am not hiding anyone. We were at Pandora’s housewarming last night.”

“Ugh,” Bridget said. “I couldn’t make it. Had to work. But I heard Cole finally put a ring on it.”

“He did,” Van confirmed. “It was very nice.”

“It was,” Lisa said. “And Pandora was nice enough to invite me.”

Bridget nodded. “She’s cool like that. So what brings you to town, Lisa?”

“I’m here to help with Van’s rehab. I work for the Titan Fight League. That’s the organization Van fights for.”

“Oh, we know all about TFL in here. We’re all fans of Van’s in town.”

“You wouldn’t know that by the way people look at him.”

Bridget shifted her gaze toward the street. “Tourists, honey. The rest of us, the locals in the know, we like Van very much.” She gave him a big grin.

“Thank you, Bridget.” Van smiled. This was a good place to live.

Bridget peered past them. “Is it snowing out there yet? Weatherman keeps saying it’s imminent.”

“Not yet,” Lisa answered. “But it is chilly.” She took her hat off and fluffed her hair.

“Well, let’s get you warmed up with some lunch.” Bridget grabbed two menus. “You guys want a table or a booth?”

“Something private.” Van wanted to be able to talk to Lisa.

“I’ve got just the spot.” Bridget led them to the back corner. “Here you go. Specials are chicken pot pie, beef stew, and apple cobbler. I’ll send your waitress right over.”

“Thank you,” Lisa said. “And nice to meet you.”

“You too.” Bridget narrowed her eyes a little, and for a moment, the gold gleam of her inner werewolf peeked out. “You take care of our guy, now.”

Lisa straightened. “I will.”

Van laughed as Bridget headed back to the bar. “She did not mean anything by that.”

Lisa’s gaze stayed on Bridget. “I’m not so sure. Wolf shifter, right?”

“Yes. Very good.”

“It’s the eyes. Gives it away.” She looked around. “So does the name Howler’s, frankly.”

“I suppose it does.”

She made eye contact with him again briefly before opening her menu. “It was nice to hear her say that everyone in town likes you. That was sweet. She obviously likes you very much too. Were you two ever a thing?”

Her question surprised him. Was she a little jealous or just curious? Either way, her interest intrigued him. “Just friends. She is dating one of the local firemen. Very serious. Another werewolf.”

“Good for her.” She went quiet as her attention shifted to the items on offer.

“There is someone for everyone, don’t you think?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never really thought about it that much.” She looked up. “What are you getting?”

But he wasn’t ready to change the subject. “Don’t you want to get married? Have a family?”

She didn’t say anything, glancing down at her menu again, then finally lifting her head. And then, as if it was an afterthought, she smiled. “Sure. Who doesn’t?”

Her answer would have been more convincing if not for the sadness in her eyes. He couldn’t understand it, and she didn’t seem eager to talk about it. That had never stopped him before. “That is not very convincing.”

She put her menu down. “I do want those things, but there’s a lot of other stuff in my life I need to work out first. I don’t know how else to explain it.” She started to pick up her menu again, then hesitated. “And my parents haven’t set such a great example either.”