She knows. And I never expected to feel such intense relief. But here she is. One more person who knows the truth about the guy I like. A potential friend that I could have an honest conversation with.

Keeping my voice low, I hold her eyes, trying to convey that I’m in the know too. “And you? Do you get … animalistic sometimes?”

A wicked smirk curls her lips. “Hell. Yes.”

She’s a wolf.

“Hey, Zoey.”

The sound of my name pulls me out of the delight of discovery. But when I turn to find Juliet hovering just behind my chair, more joy flowers in my chest.

“You made it!”

My friend smiles, but her lips pinch at the expression, and her eyes flicker around the busy restaurant. Something is stressing her, but I’m not sure what. Maybe she just has new-person-to-the-group jitters.

Well, as this is only my second Sip ’N’ Stitch, we can be newbies together.

“Here, sit down. Did you bring something to work on?”

I climbed up to the tree house earlier today to text Juliet about tonight’s meeting, and when I didn’t receive a response, I grew bored and returned to the reception-less wasteland that was my grandmother’s cabin. Unsure of Juliet’s crafting interest, I brought some extra yarn and hooks.

“I did.” The librarian settles in the chair to my left and reaches into her bag, coming out with a shoebox. There’s a rustle when she sets it on the table and pulls off the lid.

“Paper?” Courtney asks, practically shoving her boobs into my shoulder to stare around me and get a better view of the colorful collection of card stock. “What are you making?”

“Greeting cards.” Juliet holds up one that has a beautifully detailed mountain scene, rendered from carefully cut and layered paper. “I have more than I’ll ever need.” She blushes, as if admitting a failing.

“Lovely. You’re so talented.” This comes from a woman across the way from Courtney. “You just moved here not too long ago—do I have that right?”

“The end of May,” Juliet murmurs, her focus on a set of scissors in her hands while her shoulders grow tense.

“That long ago? My goodness. Can’t believe we haven’t been introduced. I’m Karen Hanson.”

The rest of the women around the table rattle off their names, but from the familiar tone a few use, I can guess they’ve run into Juliet at the library.

I get the sense that Juliet would rather not be the center of conversation, but Ms. Hanson doesn’t seem happy with a simple hello.

“And I believe I heard you were unattached. Have you been out with any of Pine Falls’ nice young men?”