Page 24 of Reject Him

Eme taps her mug with her index finger. On the other hand, she doesn’t like secrets, and she can’t shake the feeling that this feels strangely like one.

“Here,” she says, sliding an unattended empty mug in his direction, then motions to the edge of the table where a pot sits. “She brought us a whole pot.”

He grabs the coffee pot and pours his own coffee. “Who did?”

She blushes. “I don’t remember her name, but she was very nice.”

“Probably Abby, then. Shirley is a bit . . . surly.”

Eme chuckles a little. “Abby, then.”

Logan watches her for a moment then sets his mug down and puts his elbows on the table. “So, about that kiss. . .”

Her blush feels hot on her cheeks, and as she opens her mouth to respond – with what she isn’t sure – a boy, or a teenager rather, approaches the table with a pad in one hand and a pen in the other. “Hey, Logan, Eme.”

“Clark,” Logan greets. “Clark is Jim and Viola Spears’ son.”

“The couple who owns the diner?” Eme guesses. Logan nods.

“Have you decided what you’ll be having today?” His voice is squeaky as if he just went through puberty. Eme takes him in, noting the pimple scars on his face and the clothes that are a bit too small for him. It’s as though he grew three inches overnight.

“I’ll have the eggs benedict and two slices of wheat toast,” Eme orders.

“Do you want vegetables on the side?” Clark asks as he jots down her order.

“Sure.”

“And for you, Logan?”

Logan doesn’t take his eyes off her as he says, “I’ll have the same.”

“And what to drink? Anything besides coffee?”

“I’ll take an orange juice,” Eme pipes up.

Logan turns to face Clark. “How was your time in the city?”

Clark fidgets a bit then slides his pad into his apron pocket. “Good,” is all he answers with. When Logan continues to stare, demanding more of an answer, he says, “It would have been better if Dad hadn’t gone, but at least, he let us roam for a while.”

“What did Jim do while you were roaming?” Eme asks, trying to encourage the conversation.

Clark shrugs. “We left him at a bar.”

Two others approach the table. Both are in their mid-forties, Eme guesses. The woman has long dark hair that’s tied at her nape, and the man, wearing a white chef’s uniform, is tall and lanky. There’s a commanding air about him, and Eme notes that he’s an alpha wolf.

“Ah, Viola and Jim,” Logan greets. Jim’s name is said more harshly as if Logan doesn’t fully like him. This peaks Eme’s attention. “This is Eme.”

“Oh, we know who she is,” says Viola. She slides her hand around her mate’s waist. “It’s good to finally meet you.”

Eme inclines her head. “Likewise.”

“So, the city,” Logan presses. “Did you all visit the university?”

“Oh, I didn’t go with,” Viola says. “Jim took the boys. He allowed them to tour the university without himself as an escort. They’re growing so independent these days. It’s hard to keep up.” She glows with pride.

“I thought the city was dangerous.” Eme knows about the university and how its nowhere near the rogue’s main area, but to travel there without his parents . . .

“There are places we are allowed to go,” Jim says. “The university is one of them.”

“I just wouldn’t go there at night,” Logan says cautiously.

“Obviously,” Jim grumbles. Again, Eme wonders about the relationship between the two. Jim is a strong wolf, she can tell. Perhaps Jim doesn’t approve of Logan.

“Oh, I have no intentions of going there at all,” Eme says. She sits back in her seat and brings her mug to her lips. Steam tickles her nose.

“Clark, why don’t you go place their orders,” Jim advises. “I’m sure they’re starving.”

Clark nods and heads toward the kitchen. Viola watches him go then turns back to Eme. “So, are you two attending the full moon dinner? We’re bringing Jim’s famous casserole, you know.”

Eme looks at Logan. “The full moon dinner?” She had forgotten that the full moon was quickly approaching, and though the moon holds no weight to their shifting, some shifters still celebrate the legend once a month. They hadn’t celebrated in her old pack since she was a child.

“Do you want to go?” Logan asks cautiously.

“You missed the last one,” Viola pouts. “You should come.”

“Alright,” Eme says slowly. “Count us in?”

“Count us in,” Logan agrees.