Second Chance Mates by Sabrina Vance Page B

hear laughter and
music coming from the bar. A quick scan of the long windows
confirmed she recognized a dozen or so people in there.
    This won't be hard , she told
herself. They're your friends. It'll be okay. It's only a few
drinks then you can go home.
    "Come on, baby. Time to say hello."
Cade slung an arm around her shoulder and waved a hand in reply to
a couple of guys inside who banged on the window to get his
attention. She knew the moment they realized she was the woman with
him. She could already see the whispers passing between their
friends and the double takes. There's Clara , she imagined
them saying, such a young widow. So young. And then people
not knowing what to say, which she understood because what did you
say in the face of comprehensive loss? It was easier to ignore
her.
    As they entered the bar, Cade's arm
sliding down so he had her firmly by the waist—probably preventing
her from turning heel and escaping—and Luke still flanking her, she
plastered on her game face and lost count of the hi's and hugs and
squeals from her girl friends, all keen to show how pleased they
were to see her. That she was over it. Like,
finally.
    "I knew it was you," squealed Robyn,
wrapping her in a warm hug. Clara felt a brief flash of shame.
Friends since kindergarten, thick as thieves throughout high
school—not just because they were fellow lycans, but because they
genuinely adored each other—and beyond, Robyn had been her
bridesmaid but she couldn't even remember the last time they saw
each other. So much for lycans sticking together. I’m a terrible
friend . "And Cade! I heard you were back in town." Robyn
punched Cade's shoulder then squealed as he wrapped her in a big
hug. "That's more like it, big guy! How long are you here
for?"
    Cade cut a glance at Clara. "For as
long as Clara will put up with us."
    "This is Luke," said Clara, tugging
Luke forward, so she didn't have to answer any questions at that.
Luke had already reminded her he didn't know anyone but them in
their close knit town. "He's Cade's friend and they're staying with
me."
    Robyn winked at her. "Lucky girl. Just
wait until the girls here there's new blood in town! Come and sit
with me. We have so much to catch up on. I'm sure the conversation
will be one sided seeing as you're a hermit now, so just shush me
when you get bored." Robyn flicked her hair over her shoulder,
grabbed Clara's hand and with that, Clara found herself tugged away
from the protective shadow of her guards and deposited in a booth
with Robyn and three other women she'd known forever. Each time she
tried to look over to Cade and Luke, Robyn blocked her
view.
    "Tell me this is a new leaf," begged
Robyn, waving her hand at the waitress and pointing towards the
half drained pitcher on their table, before turning back, her blue
eyes hopeful. "You don't call, you don't write," she
joked.
    "It's been a hard couple of years,"
Clara replied, again craning her head to see where Cade and Luke
were at. Despite her I don't need anybody attitude, Clara felt
suddenly vulnerable without them at her side but couldn't fathom
why. It wasn't like she wasn't used to doing everything alone. "Uh,
Cade insisted Luke was bored stiff and needed to see the local
nightlife." That was it, wasn't it? She couldn't remember.
Everything was so loud in the bar and there were so many people.
She used to revel in it. Hell, she'd be the one making the noise,
but now it overwhelmed her.
    "The local nightlife being that tramp
Jessica?" Robyn sneered, nodding towards the bar. Clara stared past
her, frowning when she saw Jessica, a tall blonde with a mini skirt
barely more than a belt, practically draping herself over Luke. He
looked more amused than cross. "Well, he's a hottie all right.
Surprised it took her all over thirty seconds to get her claws into
him. Still there's always Cade. Still single, I'm
guessing?"
    "Still single," Clara confirmed, though
it was partly through gritted teeth. Robyn knew the whole