I can practically hear the sigh at the end of the statement—even if she manages to swallow it back.
“Absolutely not.” Lucifer shakes his head. “It’s not like we’re busy right now, and I would never force you or anyone else to sit at a table if they’d be more comfortable in a booth. Even if you and Allison showed up together, I’d still let you take a booth.”
“And this is why we adore you, Luci.” Ruby tugs him down so she can kiss his cheek. “And why my pack puts up with me flirting with you.”
I bite back a smile as the alpha’s cheeks flush. I think he might have a little crush on my best friend.
My eyes meet Allison’s knowing gaze.
Well, shit. Is Ruby about to have another alpha courting her?
It’s clear they’re not scent matches like the rest of Pack Hart, but I don’t think Lucifer or Ruby cares.
Interesting.
And just what I need to get my mind off the mess I left behind at the house.
I fall into step with Allison as Lucifer leads us to a booth in the back, he and Ruby are completely lost in one another.
“This is new.”
Allison shrugs. “Yes and no. He arrived back in town about a year ago. It was clear he was interested in Ruby from the start. Christopher started inviting him out with Tyson and him to watch the game or whatever nonsense they do on Friday nights. Tyson’s the one who thought we should all get to know him better, so he’s been around the pack a lot.
“I don’t think Ruby’s the only one he’s interested in. But Ruby seems to think she can’t be interested in him since they’re not scent matches. We’ve all tried talking to her about it, but she just blows us off. It’s clear she wants him, but she doesn’t think she can have him. She knows we’d give her anything she wanted, so I’m not sure why she just doesn’t admit how she feels.”
We reach the table before I get a chance to respond, and the three of us climb into the booth. Ruby avoids my gaze, and I have to bite back another smile.
If she thinks we’re not going to talk about this the minute Lucifer steps away, she’s sadly mistaken.
“Do you need a menu, Kiara?”
“Only if you’ve changed the menu in the last three years.”
He chuckles. “I’ve added a few new items to the menu, but I haven’t taken anything off.”
“Then I’m good. I’ll take the wagyu beef with the truffle mac and cheese, please and thank you. Oh, and a sweet tea to drink.”
You can take the girl out of the South, but you can’t take the South out of the girl.
Wait, that doesn’t make sense. I’m still in the South.
“A great choice.” He turns to Ruby and Allison. “The usual?”
At their nods, he gives us a smile. “I’ll have your drinks right out, and I’ll have Trevor get started on your food. Feel free to close the curtain or keep it open. I’ll announce myself when I come back.
Then he’s gone, and I’m turning to my best friend. “So, Luci, huh?”
CHAPTER SIX
Crew
“Okay, that’s the last of it,” Tyson says, brushing his hands off on his pants.
My eyes move around Kiara’s room, taking in the boxes we’ve set against the walls as I find myself once again fighting back tears.
She should be here with me.
Instead, she took off with Ruby and Allison.