Alfie laughed when Casey finished telling him her childhood story. Their date had started simply—burgers at the drive-in—but now it felt like the engagement hanging over them didn’t matter. For the first time, Casey forced herself to look at Alfie as her fiancé and give him a chance. To her surprise… he wasn’t such a bad guy.
The lust in his eyes no longer felt like obsession. It was desire—flattering, not frightening.
Her wolf, however, was silent. No sparks. No butterflies. Only calm. Casey told herself marriage was built on friendship, not passion.
“So where are we going now?” she asked as he drove past her street.
“It’s a surprise.” Alfie grinned. “Close to your college.”
Her heart skipped. Maybe… he knew about her paintings? That would be thoughtful.
But when the car stopped, sh
