“Your date?” McCarthy draws out the word and makes an exaggerated show of looking between us. “I don’t believe it. You? She’s young, pretty, and is obviously looking for someone with money, not multiple child-support payments.”
My ex-stepfather huffs, drains his whiskey, then slams it down on the counter. He glares at me.
“You never changed, did you, Jenna? Woman always go after the high-status alphas and ignore the salt-of-the-earth men who will worship them and be there for them. You’re playing out of your league. Mark my words.”
McCarthy watches him leave, relaxing only when the restaurant door slams shut.
“Did you seriously bring another man here to eat on my dime?”
“Go back to your date.”
His eyes narrow. He grabs my wrist and pins me to the bar.
I slap his hands away but can’t shove away the torso that leans against me.
“I can’t just sit here by myself. That looks weird. I have to keep an eye on you,” I squeak as the heat from his body permeates my thin dress.
“So bring a book.”
“I don’t think you want me readingAnally Impregnated by His Alien Matein Seattle’s hottest new restaurant.”
“What the fuck?” McCarthy steps back. I can breathe again. “What the hell are you reading?”
“It’s Omegaverse. It’s actually sweet—not the childbirth-out-of-the-ass part, but—”
McCarthy doubles over, retching. “That’s almost as horrifying as the fact that you’re dating your stepfather.”
I clap a hand over his mouth when a well-dressed, middle-aged couple gives us horrified looks. His lips are unexpectedly soft under my fingertips, his jaw slightly rough. Unlike me, he did not shave before his date. The five-o’clock shadow is rough under my palm.
I draw my hand back like I’ve been burned. I feel drunk and bite back nervous giggles.
“I didn’t know.”
“Bullshit.”
“You met my mom. You saw how she is. There was a parade of men in and out of the house. As soon as she’d date them or sleep with them once, she’d move them in. I’d be in the bathroom in the morning, and a guy would just barge in, and my mom’s like, ‘Jenna this is your new stepfather!’ Two weeks later, he’d be replaced with another.”
I trail off.
McCarthy looks murderous. “Your mom let that bastard around you, and he walked in on you while you were changing?”
“He wasn’t that creepy when I was younger.” I wince as McCarthy’s eyes get this glazed-over look.
“Probably because you seem completely oblivious to men’s red flags.”
“I see all of yours just fine.”
“Not all of them.”
Juniper is running her fingers up and down the stem of her wineglass across the room.
“They served me a bowl of twigs. We’re leaving.” He grabs my arm.
“No. Go back, and be nice,” I order, trying to turn the big man.
“You think I’m really going to listen to you?”
Across the room, Juniper looks angry that I’m touching him.
