Best Friends (New Species #15)(104)

Lash snarled at him, flashing teeth.

“You are annoying and demanding. Deny it. I dare you.”

Lash growled but kept quiet. Species didn’t lie.

*

“They’re picking up my things next week.” Mel grimaced and glanced at Snow, who she sat next to on the couch. “He doesn’t want me to go pack up my place because I’m in too much danger.”

“You are.” Snow gave a firm nod. “It’s not just the reporters. Species have enemies. You’ve been associated with us. It makes you a target.”

Mel scrunched her nose. “I don’t like the idea of other people packing up my stuff. What if they forget something?”

“They will pack everything.”

“I don’t want the furniture.”

Mary watched them talk from the other couch. It made her wonder if her and Lash were going to have the same conversation soon. She needed to pack up her apartment and be out of it before rent was due. She’d paid first and last. At least she wouldn’t leave owing money once she gave her landlord notice. That was something she’d have to do soon.

“Thank goodness I packed a bag, am I right?”

Mel’s question tugged Mary from her thoughts. “What?”

Mel pointed at her. “I’d be stuck wearing NSO workout clothes, too, if I hadn’t packed a bag. I’d offer to lend you some of my clothes but I didn’t know I’d be staying here this long when I shoved stuff in my bag. I’m already doing laundry every three days.”

“You could wear my clothes.” Snow snuggled closer to her. “I like it when you do.”

“That’s true.” Mel rested her head against his arm. “I guess you could wear Lash’s clothes, since I doubt the NSO can get your things from your place until next week, either.”

“He only owns loincloths,” Mary admitted. “At least, that’s all I’ve seen him in.” She looked down at the T-shirt she wore. It had NSO printed on the front. The sweats were baggy and they had the same letters printed on the side of the right thigh.

She glanced at the bag the New Species woman had dropped off earlier with spare clothing for her and rose to her feet. Mary bent, grabbed it, and returned to the couch. “They brought me some things to wear.” She unzipped the bag, seeing only folded T-shirts and more sweatpants. They were the same color as the ones she wore, probably exact replicas. “Shit.”

“What’s wrong?” Mel moved next to her to peer in the bag. “Oh. I already see the problem. Where’s the dress you wore?”

Mary turned her head as she straightened, releasing the clothing in the bag. “Lash kind of destroyed it.”

“Well, you look cute.” Mel smiled. “You’ll live. It will just be until next week. Maybe they have different kinds of clothes. Snow can ask.”

“What’s the problem?” he asked, remaining seated on the other couch.

Mary glanced at him but didn’t want to complain. He might be Mel’s husband, but he still scared her a little.

“My bestie here isn’t a fan of workout clothes. Especially sweats.” Mel glanced at her. “Do you even own any?”

“I do now.” Mary pointed to the bag.

“It’s only for a little while.” Mel patted her arm. “It’ll be fine. Maybe you’ll grow to like them by then.” She smirked.

Mary dug in the bag again, searching it. “There’s no underwear or bras.”

“Snow says their women don’t wear them unless they’re working out.”

“We have male underwear available in our store here. I heard the females prefer to order theirs by computer.”

Mary gaped at Snow. “I’m not wearing men’s underwear or buying them sight-unseen online. I did that once and they were a scratchy material. They also fell apart the first time I washed them. It was a waste of money. I refuse to ever do that again.”

Snow shifted on the couch. “I guess you’ll have to arrange for a security team to take you shopping in town when you need to buy more.”

“How long would that take?” Mary had a bad feeling she wouldn’t like the answer.

“Right now, we’re trying to avoid town in case reporters show up. Next week will be the earliest. That’s what I was told when I asked about getting all of Mel’s belongings from her apartment.”

A week without bras, underwear, and having to wear baggy T-shirts and sweats. No way was she going to borrow one of Lash’s loincloths. They probably wouldn’t fit her anyway. He was a big guy.

“It’s going to be fine,” Mel assured her. “The time will fly by, and then they’ll bring you all your stuff.”

Mary glanced at the clock under the television in the living room. Lash had been gone for twenty minutes. She made a mentally calculation, then turned to Snow. “I need a favor.”

“Anything.”

“I want you to get my purse and keys, take me to the gate where I left my car, and then meet me back there an hour from the time I leave to let me inside again.”

He shook his head. “No.”

“Mary, that’s not a good idea.”

She ignored Mel. “I can drive home, pack up my clothes, and get back before Lash returns.”