Page 221 of All Packed Up

“Do I get to know what we’re doing?” she asked.

“Hmm… I don’t know. What do you think, Ar?”

“What?” Arlo asked, lifting his—clearly distracted—gaze from Wendy’s ass.

She couldn’t stop the giggle that rushed out, and Arlo’s cheeks darkened in a blush before following them down the stairs. “What? You know I’m hopeless. I’m an ass man.”

“Oh, we know,” Tate drawled, and Wendy cackled.

They opened the door to the apartment building, and Wendy’s laugh reached out into the world. They’d already pulled the car around, and Wendy slid into the front seat, at Tate’s urging. Arlo got behind the wheel and the car started with a soft rumble, the heat kicking on with a whir.

She would be glad when winter was officially over, though she did feel quite adorable in her long sweater and booties.

“Oh, I like these,” Arlo said, and cupped his hand over her thigh, thumb brushing the exposed skin through a frayed rip.

“So are we going to dinner or—”

“Oh shit. Hold on,” Tate said suddenly, and Wendy turned in her seat as he lifted his phone to his ear. “What’s up?”

A frown curled her lips to mirror her alphas’ as Tate’s smile turned into a frown.

“Okay, shit. We’ll be there soon.” He hung up and sighed.

“What is it?” Wendy asked.

“I’m so sorry. Is it okay if we drop by the cafe? I need to check on one of the new cats.”

“Oh my god, of course,” Wendy said, and Arlo took another turn.

“On it,” he said.

“Step on it, cabbie,” Tate teased, and Arlo rolled his eyes.

Wendy loved their banter. It showed the depth of their connection, how effortlessly they just existed with each other.

It didn’t surprise Wendy when it dawned on her that she wanted to be part of that connection too.

Arlo and Wendy distracted Tate until they arrived at the cafe. It was closed, since business hours had long since passed, but Tate led them to the door and slid his keys from his pockets.

“Perks of dating the owner, huh?” she teased.

Tate snorted as he pushed open the door, went in first before turning to face her as she entered after him. She was staring at the floor, watching her step over the lip of the doorway, but she came to a halt when she lifted her head back up.

The cafe was closed. To everyone else, it seemed.

The lights were dim, and the curtains were drawn around all the windows.

But in the center of the yoga area was a single table surrounded by three chairs. Decorating the top of it was none other than takeout from her new favorite restaurant the alphas had introduced her to only last week.

“But what about… is the cat okay?” she asked.

“Oh, she’s fine,” Tate assured her with a wave of his hand. “Wanna meet her?”

A chance to hold a kitten? “What kind of question is that?” she drawled.

Tate chuckled, and Arlo locked the door behind them before the alphas led her to the back, behind the scenes of The Big Stretch.

It was almost like the back of a vet’s office. Plexiglass cages held some of the more sickly or nervous cats, while the rest of the feline crew lazed about, minding their own business since the separation wall to the main building was closed.