Roman and I had our plans to go to Edmonds at noon, so for my first official day back, I only worked a morning shift. Part of that shift involved coming in before the store was even open, and I welcomed the solitude. The store always soothed me, and if ever there was a time I needed soothing, it was right now. It was short-lived, however, since my other coworkers began trickling in not long after my arrival. Maddie was among them.

“Hey,” she said brightly, popping into my office. “Is this another check-in or are you back for good?”

“For good, I think. Not that it matters. It looks like everything’s been fine without me.”

She grinned and shut the door behind her. “Oh, we’ve missed you, believe me. No one’s been here to referee my fights with Doug.”

I laughed and watched her sit down. “Well then, I guess I got back just in time. Nice shoes.”

Maddie extended her legs and admired her candy apple red pumps. “Thanks. Nordstrom’s having a sale.”

The brown leather Mia heels I currently wore were among my favorites, but after a week now with no shape-shifting, my wardrobe was starting to make me stir-crazy. It was kind of like my hair, I realized. I hadn’t realized how dependent I was on shape-shifting to enhance my appearance. I’d lauded myself for living like a human when in truth, I’d been cheating the whole time.

Seeing my wistful look, Maddie asked, “You want to go downtown for lunch and check it out?”

I shook my head with regret. Looking at shoes sounded a lot better than looking at rocks. “Can’t. I’ve got to meet someone.”

“Ah, well, let me know when you get some time. You know I’m game.” Silence fell, and Maddie shifted uncomfortably. She bit her lip, like she wanted to say something. I started to prompt her, but she spoke first. “So, what did you think of the condo listings?”

“Oh, they were . . .” Fuck. I’d never even read through them. Roman and Dante had spent more time looking at them than I had. Which one had Dante mentioned? “They were great. I really liked that new one—the one where you can still get in on the choices and stuff.”

Her eyes lit up. “Ooh, yeah. I loved that one too. I actually looked them up on the builder’s website. It doesn’t look like there are many left, but there has to be at least one, or they wouldn’t be listed. We should go down there and talk to them in person.”

I smiled, feeling horrible about the lie. “Sure . . . but it may be awhile before I can get a break. We’ll have to do it and the shoe trip at the same time.”

Maddie nodded, face kind and sympathetic. “No problem. I understand.”