Sharp Change Read Online Free

cake? I don’t want to disappoint Julia with as busy as she’s been lately.”
    After another sniff, Tryx’s brow smoothed, and she smiled at Sophia. “Of course. I would never want to see my beautiful new cousin angry. It’s all ready, and I’ve added a bag of cookies just for you.”
    She strode to the counter and picked up a white bakery box and a bag. Both were closed and tied with pink and gold ribbon, the shop’s signature colors. After she handed Sophia the box, Tryx stared into her eyes for what felt like an eternity, then gave her a soft warm smile.
    Completely sure there must have been something wrong with the water, Sophia was glad to get out from under Tryx’s scrutiny. Not to mention she could smell the cookies in the bag, and her mouth was starting to water. She was sure if she didn’t eat one soon, she’d drool on her dress.
    She turned to face the door and almost jumped out of her skin. Five men stood there scrutinizing her. She staggered back with a thread of unease. Shit, hadn’t these guys ever heard of moving to the side to let a lady pass? Or at the very least not blocking the frigging door?
    Tryx jumped in front of Sophia and urged her back. Sophia stared at the other woman’s back as Tryx took an aggressive stance.
    Growling, Tryx unleashed her claws. The male faces were tense; the men stood rigid as though they wanted to start a fight with her or turn the woman into puppy chow. It made no sense.
    The she-wolf snarled loudly and two of her really big, male assistants came out of the back, jumped over the glass counter and were ready to help the angry Tryx.
    Sophia wasn’t sure what was going on, but she was grateful when the men walked out the door, even if they did so reluctantly.
    She turned to give the pixie wolf her thanks but was cut off before she even started.
    “We’ll walk you outside, Sophia. Can you just do me a favor? You’re not stopping anywhere before you go to Julia’s house right?”
    Tryx was obviously worried for her, but Sophia had no idea why.
    “No, no. This was my one stop. After this it’s straight to her place.” She hoped her response had reassured the wolf sprite. Her stomach cramped, and her eyes darted to the cake box. The sharp needling pain reminded her she’d yet to eat, and damn it all, she was hungry.
    “Is Chase going to be there?” Tryx looked hopeful.
    “Um, I guess. As far as I know I think it’s just the four of us.” She didn’t really feel comfortable talking about Chase. The thought of him made her hot and bothered, not a good thing as far as she was concerned. That line of thinking was hopeless. Chase was known for his discerning taste.
    Picky was his middle name. Sophia had seen one of his girlfriends and was sure the woman came off the cover of For Him Magazine . Only the sexiest feminine bodies in the planet graced that cover. Green with jealousy, Sophia had visualized doing horrible things like calling in Father Dominico and saying the girl was a hooker in need of salvation.
    Tryx looked her straight in the eyes. “Promise me that even if Chase isn’t there, you’ll have Julia call him over. He’ll know why once he gets there.”
    “Why? What’s wrong?”
    “Just promise OK?” Tryx had gone from cute to way-out-there bizarre, but Sophia supposed it was best to just nod and get the heck out of there before somebody else acted weird.
    After agreeing to Tryx’s demands, Sophia was safely on the road again, munching on the distracting cookies. She wondered what the hell was wrong with everybody. Not herself—she knew she had a few screws loose. It was what made her so good at being a geek.
     
    * * *
     
    Chase sat down in one of the lounge chairs by his brother’s pool with a cold beer in his grasp. He’d just walked out of the nice cool water and had to admit he was actually having a good time. Of course, Julia had yet to do one of her Oscar-worthy performances, but it was still early.
    It was clear summer had arrived by