Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Prescott
I’m so damn lucky Luna hasn’t fired me yet today. I swear every time I open my mouth, I stick my foot in it.
I think all the blood from my head is sitting in my cock today, making it impossible for me to think clearly.
Thankfully, besides first thing this morning, it seemed to amuse her more than annoy her.
I really need to get my shit together before she decides I’m more trouble than I’m worth.
Showing up at her house last night, I expected to be sent on my way. Imagine my surprise when she invited me to stay for dinner, and then told me she wanted to explore a relationship.
I seriously thought I was dreaming. Or maybe that I’d been in a car accident and was in a coma.
But no. She really said that.
She really wants this.
She wants me.
I’m so fucking ecstatic that I have to keep pinching myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.
Hence, the foot in mouth syndrome I seem to have developed today.
“Have a great day, Betsy,” I tell her as I hold the door for her.
She shoots me a smile. “It’s a hell of a lot better now that I have this money, Prescott. A hell of a lot better.”
I wave as she walks down the sidewalk, heading toward her house.
While more than a few of us have vehicles, most of us prefer to walk. I generally only use mine when I’m heading out of town or when the weather is bad.
There’s just something about walking through the Colorado mountain air. It’s so different from where I grew up in Chicago.
I thought I’d be bored in a small town, but Widows Peak is home, and I can’t imagine living in a big city again. There are just too many damn people.
Plus, this is where Luna is, and I don’t want to be anywhere she isn’t.
Speaking of Luna, I should see if she’s ready to head to lunch. Neither of us are big on eating breakfast, and my stomach is starting to grumble. She’s probably ready to eat too.
“Are you ready to get lunch?” I ask, leaning against her office door.
She glances up at me and graces me with a smile. “Could you hear my stomach from your desk?”
I chuckle. “No, but it feels like my stomach is trying to eat itself, so I thought you might be hungry too.”
“I am.” She stands up, grabbing her discarded blazer and pulling it back on. She tosses her phone into her purse before picking it up and heading toward me.
I step out of the way, allowing her to pass me and giving me the perfect view to check out her ass. I’ve seen her in this dress before, but it makes me drool every time. It hugs her curves perfectly—her tits, her hips, and her ass.
“Are you looking at my ass, Pres?” she asks as we step outside.
I shrug. “Maybe.”
She shakes her head as she locks up the office, and when she turns around, I offer her my arm again.
A smile lights up my face when she doesn’t hesitate to take it.
“Have you always checked out my ass like that?” she asks, her eyes forward.
When I glance at her, I can see a ghost of a smile on her lips. “Absolutely—just not as blatantly.”
I can feel eyes on us as we walk the short distance to the diner. I bet we’re going to be everyone’s favorite gossip until someone new rolls into town.
“After all,” I continue. “I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable, but that didn’t stop me from looking.”
“You’re good for an omega’s ego,” she says softly, pausing as we reach the diner. “Are you ready for this?”
I glance through the diner’s door, already finding eyes on us. “It’s not like they’re not already talking—or staring. Plus, who wouldn’t want to show you off while on a date?”
“Really good for my ego.” She gives a quiet laugh before straightening her shoulders. She drops my arm, but only to take my hand in hers before leading us into the diner.
Conversation practically stops as we enter, and I roll my eyes. Could they be any more obvious?
“Table for two?” The waitress asks, and I nod my agreement. She’s a beta, and I know her name—I swear I do—but it’s slipping my mind.
“Thanks, Alyssa.” Luna doesn’t offer her a smile, but Alyssa keeps beaming at us as she grabs menus and silverware. “Perfect. Follow me. I’ll be taking care of you today. Is this okay?”
I bite back a laugh when she stops in front of a table right in the middle of the diner. I can practically feel the exasperation floating off Luna.
I give her hand a squeeze. “Actually, Alyssa, would you mind if we sat in a booth?”
“Oh, umm… Yeah, that’s fine.” Alyssa’s smile falters for a moment before she spins on her heel and leads us to one of the booths lining the walls. It’s still in the middle of the diner, but at least it’s not smack dab in the center.
“Thanks, Alyssa.” I shoot her a grin, placing a hand on Luna’s lower back as I release her hand. She slides into the booth, and I follow her on the same side.
She tilts her head. “You know there’s an entire other side of the booth.”
“Yes, but I’d much rather sit by you.”
“Oh, my gosh!” Alyssa practically shrieks. “So, it’s true. You two are too cute.”
There’s no amusement on Luna’s face as she turns to the other woman with a glare. “I’d like water.”
“Right! Of course! For you, Prescott?”
“I’ll take a root beer. Thanks.”
Alyssa scurries off while Luna sighs.
“Why does she seem so invested in my love life?”
I snicker. “Everyone’s been betting on how much longer it would take for the other widows to pack up. It seems to be a trend as of late.”
“One beta, a pack does not made.”
I incline my head. “That’s true, Jedi Master.”
“You’re certainly in a mood today.” She rolls her eyes, but she can’t completely hide her amusement from me.
“A damn good one,” I confirm. “I get to take the prettiest omega in Widows Peak out for lunch after she asked me to stay the night. It’s the best damn day of my life.”
“You’re a mess.”
I shrug because that’s definitely true. “Maybe, but that doesn’t make it any less true.
Alyssa returns with our drinks then, and we order our lunch. It’s not like we really need the menus. It hasn’t changed since the place opened, but they always insist on giving us one, and who am I to rain on their parade?
It doesn’t take long for our food to be delivered, and while I can still feel eyes on us, people are at least pretending not to stare. It’s more than I thought they’d give us.
Widows Peak definitely isn’t known for its privacy.
Once I’m done eating, I throw my arm over the back of the booth, my fingers brushing against Luna’s shoulder. I kind of wish she wasn’t wearing her blazer so I could feel her skin, but I’m happy she’s letting me touch her at all—especially in public.
She pushes away her plate and snuggles into me, and I can’t wipe away my smile.
I hear the door open and close before the diner falls quiet once again. Before I can turn to see who has everyone’s attention now, a scent drifts to me, and I freeze.
Mate.
Oh, fuck me.
Seriously?
But I can’t deny the way the burning embers, cotton candy, vanilla, and a hint of scorched sugar scent calls to me.
It takes me a moment to realize how stiff Luna has gone under my arm.
“What is that smell?” she asks quietly, and I jolt.
There’s no mistaking that scent—it’s an omega scent.
“Hello, Luna. Prescott. What a surprise seeing you here.”
My eyes fall shut at the familiar voice, and I turn my head to find Knight, Mack, and Ven standing there.
All three men have gone stiff as a board, and I groan internally.
No. Fucking. Way.