It gave me hope that this could work.
I finished the lunch prep, food overflowing in the warmers, just as practice ended. The guys started coming in one by one, freshly showered, hair still dripping, eager smiles on their faces as they greeted me. Each one said thank you in their own way, commenting on how good it smelled and tasted.
“Wow,” Wilder said in a hushed voice. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard them not complain about vegetables like this.”
“That’s probably because whoever was making it before didn’t bother to make it taste good,” I said. It came off as cocky but I was being honest. “Especially if they were used to cooking in hospitals where food had to be bland for a lot of patients.”
“This salmon is fantastic, chef!” one of the rookies called out.
“Thanks, guys,” I answered, my smile growing with every compliment and plate piled high.
They were truly giving me a chance, no hesitation at all now. I’d won them over with the first meal, and now they were trusting me more and more.
Mason, Wilder, and Cade even jumped in to help with dishes once the kitchen cleared out again. I almost missed the noise when the whole team left. They were loud but full of life. It settled my soul even more. This life I was building had to be more than just a pack. This job, this team, they meant so much to me now. I was fully invested.
“What’s next?” Mason asked when we finally finished.
“Actually,” Wilder said, drawing my attention to him. He was shy again, but at least meeting my gaze. “I have to go pick up the second book in my current series. I was wondering if you wanted to come with me? I could show you the new bookstore downtown. They’ve changed owners since you were here last.”
“I’m sure the changes are good,” I said, instantly excited to see for myself. “It was getting outdated back then.”
“Definitely,” he agreed. “I’ve got a car in the back lot.”
“Well, that’s me out,” Mason said. “You kids have fun.”
“I actually need to go talk to Coach about something,” Cade added, pulling me into a hug before releasing me to Wilder. “Call if you guys need anything.”
Wilder and I shared a look, but we didn’t fault the guys for watching out for us. They walked out, leaving us to our plans.
He looked almost uneasy now.
“Are you sure you want me to come?” I asked, not wanting to cause issues. “No hard feelings if this is usually a solo thing.”
He blew out a breath. “I absolutely want you with me. I’m sorry, Lana. I’m just not used to people outside of the pack and Conrad,” he admitted, giving me a sheepish smile.
I genuinely loved how shy Wilder was. Even when he was quiet, he was easy to read now that I was getting to know him.
He put his hand on my lower back, leading me out to the parking lot once I had my stuff together.
I took a discreet breath of his scent again. Just like last time, it was strong enough to affect me.
Why were our scents shifting? Did this mean the old bonds were truly broken?
Chapter
Seventeen
Wilder
“This is your car?” she asked, her eyes dancing with amusement. Lana was gorgeous, and I had to remind myself to breathe around her often.
Which only brought in more of that sweet and tart raspberry and white chocolate scent.
“It’s so fancy,” she gushed. Her amusement was the reaction I got from most people. My two-door sports car wasn’t exactly a pack car.
It was my one indulgence with the insane money hockey brought in.
“I’m a sucker for a fast car,” I admitted.
