He gives me a look like that explains everything, and I just stare blankly back. I’m starting to wish he’d go back to lecturing me about steak.
When I don’t react the way he seems to be expecting, he gives me a pitying look. “His father was a piece of work,” he says. “Corrupt as they come. He acted like having a sheriff’s badge gave him the right to do what he wanted with whoever he wanted with no consequences. He basically ticked the boxes for every Alpha stereotype in the book.”
“And you think Everett is like that too?”
“I think the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree sometimes,” he says. “I don’t know the guy that well, but… he’s an Alpha, and he’s in the same position of power his father was. What’s to stop him from turning out the same way? And you’re an Omega, who’s relying on him for work and shelter. It just seems like a prime opportunity for him to take advantage of you. That’s all I’m saying. I just want you to look out for yourself.”
There was a time when I would have agreed with him. When my inner voice was screaming at me that putting myself and Cora’s wellbeing in the hands of these men was a terrible idea. But now, I bristle at the idea that someone who doesn’t even know Everett is sitting here passing judgement.
“Youdon’tknow him,” I say firmly. “So you probably shouldn’t be saying stuff like that.”
“Well—”
I cut him off before he can start up again. “Let’s change the subject. I don’t really want to hear you talking bad about someone who’s been so nice to me since I got here.”
Whatever Leo sees in my face must make him realize I’m serious, because he nods and goes back to talking about himself instead.
I basically tune him out for the rest of the date, flagging down a passing waitress as soon as his plate is empty to ask for a to-go box and the check.
Leo insists on paying, and I don’t argue about it. The least I deserve for putting up with this is a free steak. We walk out of the restaurant, and Leo moves in closer to me, his eyes hooded in the darkness.
“I had a nice time,” he says, licking his lips. “And I think aside from some differences in opinion, you did too.” He leans in, like he’s going to kiss me, but I step back, putting distance between us.
“Thanks for dinner,” I tell him. “I need to get going. I have to pick up my niece before it gets too late.” I leave him standing in front of the restaurant and hurry to my car. Once I’m strapped in and the doors are locked, I let out a long sigh.
Cora’s half asleep when I pick her up from Lainey’s, and I manage to avoid talking about the date by getting Cora buckled in and saying I want to get her home so she can sleep. The whole drive home, I can only think about one thing.
This date has made it more clear than ever that what I really want is completely off limits. Or maybe it just doesn’t actually even exist at all.
Chapter 18
Harper
Cora goes down easily, already out of it once I get her into her pajamas and under the covers. I make it through not even half of a bedtime story before she’s completely passed out, snoring softly.
I ease her door closed and then take myself downstairs, thinking about having a cup of tea—or something stronger—to take the edge off the evening.
There’s a light on in the kitchen, and I startle when I see Cash sitting at the table, nursing a beer. His shoulders are up around his ears, and he radiates tension. From the quiet of the rest of the house, it seems like Lincoln and Everett aren’t here, working late maybe, and all of a sudden being alone in the house with just Cash feels… too intimate.
I step into the kitchen, and Cash looks up. The jealousy burning in his eyes makes my breath catch when I realize that’s what it is.
“What’s up?” I ask him, even though I’m pretty sure I already know.
“How was your date?” he replies. His voice is pitched low, but he’s clearly aiming for casualness when he says it. It would have almost fooled me if I couldn’t see the way his hand is clenchedaround the bottle in front of him and the rigid way he’s holding himself. He’s keeping himself under tight control, like if he lets go for a second, he’s going to explode.
Somehow, that doesn’t frighten me.
I let out a breath and decide to tell him the truth. “It was terrible,” I admit. “Leo might be someone’s type, but he’s definitely not mine.”
Cash looks at me, his eyes going sharp. “Did he do something to you?”
“No, nothing like that. He just spent the whole date talking about himself or lecturing me about the way to eat steak and telling me that he knows what’s best for me. It was just uncomfortable.”
His expression shifts when he hears that, but I can’t tell what he’s feeling now. Maybe something like relief. But I don’t want to poke at that, and I don’t want to rehash the date anymore. I just want to move on and pretend like it never happened. Like I didn’t have a lapse in judgment brought on by being… I don’t know. Lonely and desperate to move on with my life.
“What are you still doing up?” I ask him instead.
“I had to wait up for you.” Cash looks at me, unembarrassed by that. “I hated to see you go out with another man.”