Chapter 8 Mark
MARK
I’d been pacing my room for the past ten minutes, checking the clock every thirty seconds like it might change something.
The family cabin was quiet except for the sound of the wind rattling the trees outside. I should’ve been relaxed. Heck, I was supposed to be happy.
The audition with Zack had gone better than I could’ve hoped. We’d managed to not screw up too badly with our songs. The crowd loved us.
Perfect match. Yeah, I was still turning those two words over in my head.
Thank god the audition had been a success, or I wouldn’t even be here, trying not to mess up my first real date with Zack. My chest tightened at the thought.
A date. Not just a coffee catch-up or rehearsal. An actual date. The kind where people look each other in the eye too long and try not to trip over their own feet.
Of course, there had to be one complication. Theo. That damn lion shifter.
I scowled at my reflection in the mirror, running a hand through my hair. What was his deal anyway? He’d been hanging around Zack ever since the auditions started.
In my opinion, Theo smiled too wide, stood too close to Zack. and acted like he had some kind of claim on Zack.
Theo wasn’t even from Pecan Pines. He probably rolled in from some city and happen to chance upon the New Year’s Eve event, and decided it was a good opportunity.
Right. More like Theo came here to chase Zack. My gut and my wolf were convinced of it.
Why else would an outsider go all the way to a remote little town like ours? Pecan Pines wasn’t exactly a tourist destination.
My wolf gave a low, irritated growl beneath my skin, and I couldn’t blame him. I’d like nothing better than to drive that smug cat right back out of town.
But Zack probably wouldn’t appreciate that. He didn’t need another territorial shifter causing a scene in front of him.
It didn’t matter. I’d win him over the right way, slowly and honestly.
I exhaled and turned back to the mirror, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand. If I couldn’t fight for him physically, I’d damn well make sure tonight went perfectly.
My reflection stared back. I wore black jeans, a button-up shirt that brought out the color of my eyes, and a leather jacket. I frowned.
It looked fine, too fine maybe. Like I’d put too much thought into it. I tugged the hem of my shirt down, then yanked it back up again.
“You look like a guy going to a job interview,” I muttered.
There was only one person I could turn to for help fortunately. I left my room and knocked on Chris’s door. He was home, thankfully.
His muffled voice came through after a second. “Yeah?”
“It’s me,” I said.
“Door’s open.”
I pushed it open and found him lounging on his bed, TV flickering faintly in the background.
He was scrolling through his phone, wearing a lazy grin that told me he already knew why I was there.
“What’s up, lover boy?” Chris asked.
“Don’t start,” I warned, stepping inside. “I need an honest opinion. Clothes. Good or bad?”
Chris sat up, eyeing me critically. “Hmm. You’re going for the broody musician look, I see.”
“Is that bad?”
“Not bad,” he said, tapping his chin. “Maybe swap the jacket for something more practical.’”
I blinked. “Practical?”
I scowled, remembering Theo did wear a leather jacket at the audition.
“Chris. I really need your help here,” I complained.
He held up both hands in mock surrender. “Fine, fine. Here, you can borrow one of my jackets.”
Chris pulled out a more practical jacket from his closet and I put it on.
“Better?” I asked.
Before he could answer, footsteps sounded down the hall. Our mom’s voice followed, light but sharp as ever. “What are you two whispering about out here?”
Of course. Mom appeared around the corner, drying her hands on a dish towel. Devon trailed behind her, a faint smile tugging at his mouth.
“Nothing,” I said a little too quickly.
“Uh-huh,” she said, giving me a look only moms could pull off. “You’re dressed up. Are you going somewhere, honey?”
Before I could lie, Devon chuckled. “He’s got a date. With Zack.”
“Oh, that Zack?” she asked, eyes lighting up in instant interest.
Wait. Were they having discussions about my dating life behind my back?
I groaned. “Can we not turn this into a family meeting?”
“Oh, come on,” Chris teased. “You knew this was gonna happen.”
Mom crossed her arms, clearly enjoying herself. “So this Zack. He’s the one you’ve been talking about lately? The musician?” She asked.
“I haven’t been—”
“Yes, you have,” Devon interrupted, grinning. “Zack comes up every single time I talk to you.”
I shot him a glare. “You’re supposed to be the reasonable one.”
He just shrugged. “I’m being supportive.”
Mom stepped closer, eyeing my outfit the same way Chris had. “Hmm. The blue shirt’s good on you, but maybe add something with a bit more color? A scarf, maybe?”
I blinked. “A scarf? Mom, I’m not auditioning for a fashion magazine.”
“It’s winter!” she said, undeterred. “And it shows you made an effort.”
Chris coughed to hide his laugh.
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “This is officially ridiculous.”
Devon clapped a hand on my shoulder, still smiling. “You’ll do fine, big brother. Just don’t overthink it. Did you pick a good restaurant?”
“I think so?” I was suddenly second thinking the Italian place I booked for our date.
They had raving reviews and I did remember Zack mentioning he loved carbonara.
“You’ll be great. Just relax. I can’t remember I’ve seen you this nervous,” Devon remarked.
“Yeah, okay,” I said.
I was thinking if I could cancel my reservation but what if I couldn’t find a decent replacement? I shook my head. I was overthinking this.
“Good luck,” Devon said. “I’m gonna check on Dad before bed.”
As he disappeared around the corner, Mom leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to my cheek.
“You look wonderful, sweetheart. Have fun and behave,” she said.
“Mom,” I said with a groan.
“What? I’m just saying.”
She winked at Chris, who looked far too entertained by the whole exchange.
As she walked off down the hall, humming to herself, I shook my head.
“She’s getting nosier by the day,” I commented.
Chris chuckled, leaning against the doorframe.
“You can’t blame her. She’s been in a good mood lately. Between Dad getting better and the move to Pecan Pines, she’s finally breathing again,” Chris said.
That made me pause. He was right. I glanced toward my parents’ room.
“Yeah. It’s good to see her like that again,” I admitted.
“It is,” Chris agreed. “So just endure the teasing. Devon’s mated, I’m between disasters, and you’re the only one currently dating. You’re all she’s got to fuss over.”
I let out a quiet laugh. “Guess I should’ve seen that coming.”
He grinned. “Exactly. Now go, or you’re gonna be late.”
I glanced at the time and cursed softly. “Right.”
As I headed for the door, I muttered, “Next time I’m not asking either of you for fashion advice.”
“Lies,” Chris called after me. “I’m the most fashionable one in this family.
I pretended not to hear.
Twenty minutes later, I parked outside Zack’s apartment building. My stomach flipped as I looked up at the familiar brick facade.
Then it hit me. I was empty-handed.
“Damn it,” I muttered.
Flowers. I should’ve brought flowers. Or something. Cursing under my breath, I pulled back onto the main road and drove until I spotted a little flower shop still open.
The sign above the window read ‘Open’, and the place smelled nice.
Inside, a middle-aged woman behind the counter looked up with a smile.
“Evening, sweetheart. Looking for something special?” She asked.
“Uh, yeah. A date. I mean for a date.” I rubbed the back of my neck.
Smooth, Mark. Real smooth.
She chuckled. “Don’t worry, you’re not the first flustered man I’ve seen tonight. How about these?” She held up a small bouquet. White lilies mixed with deep red roses. “Simple but classy.”
“Perfect,” I said immediately.
As she wrapped the bouquet, I spotted a display of chocolates by the register. Might as well double down. “And one of those boxes too,” I added.
She rang me up, still smiling. “Someone’s trying to make an impression.”
“That’s the plan,” I said, handing over cash.
Back in the car, the scent of flowers filled the air. I glanced at the bouquet on the seat beside me, my chest tightening with a mix of nerves and excitement.
You’ve got this, I told myself.
By the time I made it back to Zack’s building, I’d almost convinced myself I believed it. I parked, grabbed the flowers and chocolates, and stepped inside.
The elevator doors slid open, revealing an older woman standing inside, holding a small grocery bag.
She looked up and smiled kindly.
“Well, don’t you look nice. Celebrating something special, dear?”
“Something like that,” I said, smiling back.
Her eyes twinkled as she glanced at the flowers. “Ah, young love. It suits you.”
I laughed softly. “Let’s hope so.”
As the elevator began to rise, she tilted her head, studying me.
“I recognize you, actually. You and that other handsome boy. Zack, was it? You two sang at the park for the audition.”
“Yeah, that was us,” I said, a little surprised.
“You two were wonderful,” she said warmly. “My husband and I go walking there most mornings. We’re looking forward to your New Year’s Eve performance.”
That made something warm spark in my chest.
“Thank you. That means a lot,” I told her.
When the elevator dinged at her floor, she gave me a gentle pat on the arm. “Good luck tonight, dear. I have a feeling it’ll go beautifully.”
“Thanks,” I said, meaning it.
As the doors slid shut again, I found myself grinning. The tightness in my chest eased. Maybe this night wouldn’t go so badly after all.
When the elevator stopped at Zack’s floor, I stepped out into the softly lit hallway, my pulse quickening again.
The scent of coffee and cedar drifted faintly from one of the nearby doors.
His door. Zack opened the door just as I was raising my hand to knock, and for a second, all the witty lines I’d planned vanished from my head.
He was dressed casually. Dark jeans, a navy sweater that made his eyes look even more blue, hair just slightly mussed like he’d run his fingers through it before answering the door.
Then his gaze dropped to my hands, and his brows lifted.
“Flowers and chocolate?” he said, sounding halfway between amused and surprised. “Seems a little much, don’t you think?”
I felt my face heat. “Uh. Maybe? I just thought—”
He grinned, holding up a hand. “Relax, Mark. I’m teasing.”
Right. Teasing. My brain, however, took a full three seconds to reboot after hearing his laugh. That low, warm sound did things to my chest I wasn’t proud to admit.
He reached for the gifts, his fingers brushing mine as he took the bouquet and the small box.
“These are beautiful,” he said, voice softening as he brought the flowers closer to his nose. “And chocolate. What a dangerous combination. You sure you’re not trying to seduce me before dinner?”
I blinked. “Would it work if I said yes?”
Zack’s smile turned sly. “Hmm. I’ll let you know after dessert.”
My wolf gave an appreciative growl in the back of my mind, and I had to cough to disguise my reaction. Zack chuckled and stepped aside, waving me in.
“Come on in. Let me just find a vase before these start drooping,” Zack said.
His apartment was as neat and lived-in. There were books stacked by the window, soft lighting, a faint trace of citrus in the air.
It smelled like Zack, homey and warm.
He disappeared into the kitchen, muttering something under his breath. “I remember putting the vase Ethan gave me a few Christmases ago here…”
I leaned against the doorway, watching him rummage through a cabinet.
His sweater rode up just a little as he reached for a higher shelf, revealing a sliver of skin above his waistband. My pulse jumped.
“You want help looking?” I asked, trying to sound casual.
He glanced over his shoulder. “Sure. Maybe it’s hiding from me on purpose.”
I stepped in beside him, shoulder to shoulder as we peered through his cabinets. The space was small enough that every time we moved, we brushed.
His elbow grazed mine, his sleeve brushed my wrist.
It shouldn’t have felt electric, but it did. My wolf stirred, alert and attentive, picking up the rhythm of Zack’s breathing, the warmth radiating off him.
“It’s not up there,” Zack said after a minute, sighing. “Oh, wait.”
He bent slightly, pulling open the lower cupboard.
I crouched beside him to help, and there it was. The most ridiculously festive vase imaginable. White porcelain with a painted wreath and tiny golden stars.
“This one?” I asked, grinning.
Zack laughed. “That’s the one. Ethan’s taste hasn’t changed in years.”
We both straightened, our shoulders bumping again as he took the vase from me.
“Thanks,” he said, his tone quieter now, almost shy.
“No problem.”
Zack filled the vase with water, then set the flowers inside with a faintly pleased smile. “Perfect.”
I wanted to tell him he was the one who looked perfect, but I bit it back, content to watch the soft look on his face as he adjusted the bouquet.
When he finally turned back to me, his smile shifted. It was warm. “You look nice, by the way.”
That caught me off guard. “Yeah?”
He nodded, giving me a slow once-over that sent heat straight to my ears.
“Yeah. You clean up well,” Zack commented.
I couldn’t help grinning. “Guess asking Chris and Mom for advice paid off after all.”
Zack’s brows shot up, amused. “Oh, you brought in the big guns?”
“Yeah. Probably should’ve known better.”
He laughed. “Remind me to thank them later.”
“For there record you also look great,” I said.
“Guess we’re both off to a good start then,” Zack said.
He walked past to grab his jacket from the rack.
We stepped out into the hallway together, shoulders brushing again, and I couldn’t help but think the night was already heading in the right direction.
The nervous energy that had tied itself in knots in my stomach earlier was still there but now it felt different. Less about fear, more about possibility.