Kenna’s eyes widened in surprise and annoyance. “That’s it? Nothing about supernatural super powers or magic? Or, more importantly, what idiot sent that book to you without an instruction manual? Or how about, where you might get the instruction manual? The suspense could all be over with a simple web link and a click on ‘download here.’ Wouldn’t that be a kicker.”

“I really doubt it. Looking for an online manual was week three or four after the book arrived. I lived on the Internet, eating and breathing references to magical texts. Then I decided, although adequate, my research skills weren’t stellar, and my next contract job was gearing up. I hired a grad student to do more extensive research. I’ve still got it all stashed in my office, if you’d like to see it sometime. After that, I hired a computer nerd to do some deeper online digging. So, sadly, no convenient ‘download’ button is likely to be the answer.” A little more seriously, she continued, “I’m so glad you’re fine with all of this. I don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t talk this all over with you. The idea of werewolves seriously did not compute and temporarily fried a few of my circuits.”

Kenna leaned back in her chair with a thoughtful look. “I do think it’s funny your werewolf is named John. That’s a really solid name for a shady character or a supernatural baddy,” Kenna said.

She should have ignored the comment. Knowing Kenna, it was probably just a way to bait her into spilling everything about him, but… “John suits him. There’s nothing werewolfy about him. No tufts of hair coming out of his ears or anything. It’s so embarrassing. I think I implied that at some point. Something like why aren’t your ears pointed, or where’s your tail. It’s fuzzy, but there were some unfortunate remarks made about wolfy-ness.” Lizzie’s cheeks reddened in embarrassed remembrance. “He’s completely normal looking. Well, normal hot looking. I can’t believe I said that to a gorgeous guy.”

Kenna honed in on the most relevant—to her—point, “Hot? How hot? Better yet, did you sneak a photo?”

“No! Are you nuts? Besides, I was passed out for half the visit, so I wasn’t thinking about how I could satisfy your overactive hot-guy curiosity. Besides, you know I don’t date.”

“But you used to. And you could again. You’re gorgeous and one of the nicest people I know. Guys would be in to you, if you’d let them. Anyway, it’s much too early to consider. He may be a mass murderer for all we know. Who knows what werewolves get up to in their spare time? I’m just saying, keep an open mind. We don’t discuss it much, but there’s a reason men don’t ask you out. You make assumptions and close yourself off to the possibilities, making it hard for men to approach you.”