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“Sure.”

When Goldie looked around, I sensed her searching for threats. I’d been on alert since we arrived, but the area was quiet on a weekday.

I was still relieved when Blackjack said we should head over to Lula Reed’s house for the engagement party.

“Does it make you sad that your friends aren’t at the party?” Goldie asked while cuddled against me in the back seat.

“No.”

“Do you want a party with your friends when we’re in Baton Rouge?”

“Not really.”

Goldie studied me, smiling at whatever she saw on my face. I wrapped her against my body and exhaled the tension I’d felt for too long.

Our future was a bit clearer after today. Goldie was ready to give Baton Rouge a real chance. She was curious about my house, protective of my dog, and plotting to meet my mom.

GOLDIE

York was undeniably restless. He’d spent two weeks away from his home, wearing unfamiliar clothes, sleeping in my bed, and surrounded by noisy people. I often pictured him at his home. I assumed his life in the suburban house was mellow, with only Junior and him moving quietly from room to room.

The last thing York likely wanted was to attend a party, but my Little Memphis people loved hanging out together. So many times, I’d be at the Sorority House with my friends, only for us to ride together to another location. Once we arrived, we’d always act like we hadn’t seen each other in forever. That was how things worked in Little Memphis.

Lula Reed lived in the private Sleepy Eye Community. Only people connected to the old Little Memphis Motorcycle Club were allowed to build in the gated neighborhood. Boone and Nova were designing a home here. Many of my friends planned to live in Sleepy Eye once they had kids.

Today, Lula’s block was packed with vehicles. She had reserved a spot in her driveway for our SUV to limit the distance I needed to walk.

As York helped me out of the vehicle, I enjoyed the soft rock music filling the air. I smelled grilling meat. People waved at us from the next yard, where Lula’s dad, Pax, entertained everyone with one of his wild stories.

Inside Lula’s house, we were welcomed by the hostess who sported a small baby bump. Lula’s big brown eyes shone. She’d only recently announced her pregnancy after keeping it secret. Today, she couldn’t stop smiling.

“Why don’t you help the men grill?” Lula asked York after admiring our rings. “Exile is getting ganged up on by the local guys.”

Though York didn’t want to leave my side, he could tell the girls hoped to chat with me. My parents followed him outside with Yarrow looking for Skylar and Lyric.

“When is the wedding?” Lula asked as she nibbled on a tortilla chip.

Shrugging, I settled on the stool next to the kitchen island. “I don’t know. A lot has happened in the last month. I need time to think.”

A year ago, I hadn’t even known most of these foxes. Now, they were family. First, Clint had brought a petite blonde into the mix. Before arriving in Little Memphis, Ivy lived a secluded life with little excitement. Now, she held her own with lifelong foxes.

Nova had spent years around bikers, but her wild side didn’t come out until she moved to Little Memphis.

The newest additions to our little group were twins Kat and Maria. Their lives revolved around their biker boyfriends and Kat’s twin boys. I suspected with a little time that they’d embrace their wild sides.

Then, there was Lula. I’d always looked up to her. She was sweet but tough. Smart yet wild. Classy but always willing to get down and dirty.

Though I used to be considered one of the tougher foxes in the Crimson Guard, I now felt as delicate as the new girls.

Since four out of the five women around me had moved not so long ago, I decided to hit them up for advice.

“I’ll be living part time in Baton Rouge,” I explained. “Do you have any suggestions for helping me with the eventual homesickness?”

Maria spoke up first, “Go to the grocery store and find the items you usually buy. I didn’t think I would feel comfortable living downtown. But once I went to the local store and found what I needed, the area wasn’t as overwhelming.”

The women all nodded before Ivy spoke up, “Find a few restaurants that’ll deliver and learn their menus. Being able to order quickly made me feel like a local instead of Clint’s guest.”

Taking a mini egg roll from the caterer’s tray, I said, “Okay, so I’m hearing a lot of food ideas.”