Free Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love (Andrea) BBW Lion Shifter Romance (Hope Valley BBW Dating App Romance Book 4) by Ariana Hawkes Page B

am. If that’s possible.” He chuckled.
    “And that’s exactly why Shiftr picked you two out as perfectly compatible!”
    “I think she’s my mate,” Magnus said, more certainly and genuinely than he’d said anything in his life before. 
    “I wouldn’t be at all surprised. In fact, I’d be more surprised if she wasn’t. I’m sure it’s not going to be an easy ride between the two of you, but it’ll be well worth it. You’ll see!”
     
    *
     
    Andrea trudged back into the newsroom and went directly to Kristin’s desk.
    “How did it go?” Kristin asked brightly.
    “I am really sorry, but I don't think I even have enough for a short article. He was weird and elusive. I tried my best, please believe me. But it was one of the hardest interviews I’ve ever done. And that includes interviewing a variety of celebrities while they were high on coke and under the impression that they were kings of the universe.” Kristin frowned.
    “That’s strange. When I met him, he was really keen to be interviewed.”
    “He wouldn’t even tell me what kind of business he’s involved in.”
    “Hmm, very mysterious. Something that makes a lot of money, if his car’s anything to go by.”
    “What? What model is it?”
    “Something foreign. A Maserati, I think?”
    “Wow. That costs serious money. But that wasn’t the car I saw parked outside the shack where he lives. He had a rusty old pick-up.”
    “He lives in a shack? He was wearing a suit when I met him. That doesn’t tally at all.”
    “Yeah. Somewhere between a shack and a shed. This is all very strange… I need to get to the bottom of it.  Kristin, I’m really sorry for the delay, but can you wait a day or two while I investigate? I really want to figure out what’s going on with him.”
    “Of course!” Kristin said with a big smile, happy that the incident had reignited Andrea's journalistic passion. “Take as much time as you need.”
    “Thanks, Kristin!” Andrea said, already walking back to her desk.
    She sat down in her chair, picked up her phone and dialed Magnus’s number.
    “I was mistaken when I said that I had enough to write the piece,” she said, as soon as he answered. “We need to meet again.”
    “I was just about to call you,” he said. “I've got a lot of explaining to do.”
    “Yes you do.” Magnus gave a deep sigh. It was the sound of defeat, but she had no idea why. She was very curious to hear what he had to say now.
    “Can I have the honor of taking you to dinner?”
    “Not if your taste in restaurants matches your taste in accommodation,” she said, allowing herself a small laugh.
    “I'm really sorry about before. Hopefully it will all make sense when I explain it to you,” he said in a sheepish tone. She looked at her calendar. She was busy all day with subediting, and she’d also agreed to help the ads team out. There was no time that she could meet him during the working day. She’d have to meet him in the evening.
    “Ok, how about we go for a drink, and I'll pick the place. I could meet you after work tomorrow. I know a cute little cocktail bar called Clementine’s. It’s on the outskirts of town. Can you meet me there around eight?”
    “I could meet you anytime you like, and eight is perfect. I very much look forward to seeing you then, Andrea,” he said. His voice had turned to molasses again, and, against her will, a shiver ran all the way through her, from her toes to her heart. It’s just journalistic curiosity , she told herself firmly. Nothing more than that. But why does he have to be so goddamn sexy?
     
    *
     
    At 7.50pm the following day, Andrea pushed open the door of Clementine’s. She’d learned a good habit of being early for interviews, and it always paid off to see the subject enter the room and look around for her. She could tell what their energy was like – if they were on edge, or impatient. From that she knew whether she’d need to put them at their ease, or give them the