“I never thought about that,” said Meg. “I guess it would be a bit unsettling.”
“It was. Put me off sex for months, because I was afraid I’d hurt someone,” said Kevin.
“Mentally or physically hurt them Kevin,” Meg asked.
“Both. Mostly physically though. Luc is real gentle isn’t he,” said Kevin.
“Yes, but I never thought about it in terms of trying not to hurt me,” said Meg.
“Well, you know we are strong, so think about how that would be if we got carried away during sex,” said Kevin.
Meg thought about it and nodded. “Yeah, I see,” she said.
Kevin walked over to where Angie sat. “So, are you running away from the prospect of a job with a bunch of werewolves, or are you going to join us?” Kevin asked Angie.
“You aren’t afraid I’d run off and expose your secrets?” Angie asked.
“No, who’d believe you?” asked Kevin.
“What?” asked Angie.
“If you went to the papers, or the news stations, who would believe you?” asked Kevin softly. He could see Angie thinking it over.
“You’re right,” Angie said after a moments thought. “And the woman who’s job I’m taking over is a werewolf too?”
“Yes. Does that bother you?” asked Kevin.
“No, not really. It explains the peanut butter dog biscuits in the jar and the vase full of beef jerky though,” Angie said. “Are you sure you want to work with me?” she asked Meg and Kevin.
“Angie, I wouldn’t have offered you the job if I didn’t think you capable of the work,” said Meg.
“I think if you can cope as well as you have with the shock we’ve just given you, you’ll do just fine,” said Kevin. With that, he walked out of the office.
Angie just blinked. She couldn’t figure that last statement out. “Meg, why did he say that?” she asked.
“He was being honest. Remember, they’ve dealt with people finding out for a long time. Plus, just because they are in human shape, doesn’t mean they don’t use some of the wolf’s senses,” said Meg.
“Huh?” asked Angie. Now she was totally confused.
“He could smell that you weren’t really afraid. Get use to the idea if you decide to work here that they use their noses as much as we do our eyes. Oh, and go light on the perfume,” said Meg remembering her first non-camping date with Luc.
“Oh! Oh that makes sense. They really aren’t afraid of being found out?” she asked as her mind ticked over things she was trying to grasp.
“No. Not really. I asked the same thing. Over the centuries they’ve figured out some pretty good strategies. They have their own doctors and hospitals. They try and avoid certain professions and laughter saves a lot of trouble. Like Sara. Just wait till you meet her. She’s a little whirlwind on two legs with a cute lisp and the tactics of Patton. If she walked up to her teacher and told her that Unky Woofy Luc was a werewolf, the teacher would laugh. Why, because she’s a kid. If an adult finds out and goes to the papers, the shifters treat it like it was some stalker nuisance. Worst case, they move,” said Meg as she tried to condense months of conversations into a few minutes.
“Wow. I have to admit that I really did think you were trying to blow me off at first,” Angie said. “If the offer is still open, I’d like to start work as soon as you need me,” she said. “What the hell, it can’t be any worse than those idiots over at the office who think they are Brad Pitt,” she thought.
Meg smiled and came around the desk to hug her friend. “That would be in the morning or now, your choice.”
“It’s only 2pm. Let me get use to the office and I’ll officially clock in tomorrow morning,” said Angie.
“Alright. Let me show you the hallowed office of Ginny. By the way, she is the toughest of the bunch around here,” said Meg. “But canned air is your friend,” she finished as they walked down the hall.
“Canned air?” asked Angie.
“I’ll explain,” said Meg as they reached the desk.
*
Luc came back to the office ten minutes before closing time. He wondered how things went, and was pleasantly surprised to see Angie sitting behind the desk, answering the phone and looking right at home. He nodded at her and headed to his office. After dropping his tool bag, he walked to Meg’s office.
“How did it go? Did you tell her?” he asked quietly.
Meg smiled and held up Kevin’s shirt that he had thrown in the trash can. “She didn’t believe me and thought I was trying to brush her off in a rude way. Doing sort of a bait and switch routine. Kevin shifted, she screamed and then we talked some more. When all was said and done, she was fine. We owe Kevin a set of clothes and Cal and Peter will probably never let him live down the belt and undies situation,” she said.
“What?” asked Luc.
“I’ll explain it all over dinner,” she said as she closed down her computer and grabbed her stuff.
“Okay. Guess I can call Ginny in the morning and let her know that she can take a break if she needs it,” said Luc as they walked out of her office.
“Sounds good,” said Meg. When they got to the front office, Meg reintroduced Luc and Angie.
“Nice to see you again,” said Angie. “Thanks for the job as well.”
“You’re welcome. You understand that if you have any questions or issues that you can come to me or Meg,” he said.
“Oh yes. I’ll probably have lots of questions until I learn your system. I see you use Linux and Ubuntu and I’m coming from a Microsoft centric office,” said Angie.
“Oh yeah, yes. What I meant was though if you have any questions about us,” he said.
“Oh! Yes. Sorry. I’ll ask. Can’t wait to meet Ginny and Sara,” said Angie with a smile.