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My daughter’s letting her boyfriend kiss her, and the only reason I’m not already out of the car is because a part of me wants to drive straight back to Silver Lake.
It doesn’t matter how much I tell myself it’s just nerves, I’m having a hard time with the idea of being alone in the pokey apartment that was in my price range and close enough to where Secret lives to make a two-year lease worth signing.
I step out of the car when Seth makes it obvious he’s going to take his time welcoming his mate back, even if it’s not even been a couple of hours since he left her side.
Ryan’s leaning against the wall a few feet away, purposefully avoiding watching Seth with Secret.
“Hey,” I greet him, as I move toward the pavement.
He smiles at me, straightening up. “Hey, Leanne. How’s it going?”
“Well, it feels a little strange,” I admit, gesturing toward the main part of the city. “I kind of can’t believe this is home now. You know?”
He nods, his smile turning wry. “Yeah, I know the feeling. I never thought I’d leave Silver Lake, either.”
He gets it. He’s a Beta, like me.
Our hometown felt safe for us.
There were no Alphas to compete against, no Omegas to become obsessed with … Well, except Secret, and no one really knew about that until she got out here.
All that stuff was contained to our TV screens, or the big cities, if we ever wanted to experience any of it for ourselves. I can honestly say I’ve had my fill of Alphas for one lifetime.
“But you like it here, right?” I ask him.
“Actually, I love it,” he admits. “I didn’t think I would, but there’s something kind of freeing about walking around such a big place, feeling anonymous.”
No chance of that in Silver Lake. Everyone knows everyone.
“It sounds … different.”
“It is,” he says. “You’ll get used it.”
I look back at the car and see that Seth has let Secret get out, finally. They’re coming toward us now, so I head back to lock the car. I doubt anyone would ever try to steal it, but I don’t want to risk having to buy a new car that I’ll probably hardly use now that I’m out here.
If there’s one benefit of living and working in the city, it’s not having to drive anywhere.
Everything’s right on your doorstep.
I lock the car and move back over to where my daughter’s standing with two of her mates.
She looks so happy when she’s with them.
“So, where are Cassidy and Dylan?” I ask.
“They’re making dinner,” Ryan tells me.
Right. I guess it’s that time.
I probably should have remembered to pack snacks, so I’d have something to eat until I go grocery shopping or find out where the nearest pizza place is.
“That’s great,” Secret says. “You get to try Cassidy’s cooking.”
It takes me a second to realize she’s talking to me.
“Oh … Um …”
“We assumed you’d want to eat with us since it’s your first night in the city,” Ryan adds, while I’m temporarily lost for words.
