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Even I could tell how unconvincing that was. Kayden frowned. “Seriously? There’s always time for a little bit of flirting.”
How was I supposed to argue with that? I couldn’t exactly tell her that my sights were set on another completely unavailable guy.
“Just because you’ve found your happily ever after doesn’t mean I’m looking for mine.” A lie, though I knew my story wouldn’t end like Kayden’s.
“Well, you ought to keep an open mind,” she countered. “You know what they say about all work and no play.”
“Yeah,” Jenna chimed in. “You’re too young and beautiful. You should be getting some action.”
I shoved a spoonful of tiramisu into my mouth, unsure how to respond. The dessert was delicious, as was everything else on the menu. Helen’s Italian food was a family favorite for a reason.
Kayden giggled. “Yeah, you’ve put so much work into Garrett’s Contention. He shouldn’t be the only one having all the fun.”
If she only knew. I managed a weak smile, shoveling more food into my mouth to avoid a response. Thankfully, Jenna changed the subject to the new recruits, asking all six who’d joined us about their favorite part of living on the estate.
I couldn’t help but notice Ryker looking toward me frequently as everyone conversed, and for the second time, I wondered why I couldn’t be interested in someone like him—someone who was actually available.
All night my mind had drifted back to Garrett, wondering how things were going with the competition. I felt guilty that I wasn’t there to support him, to help him out. Or maybe I just didn’t like the idea of not knowing what was going on. He wasn’t quite wrong when he’d called me a control freak.
“What’s wrong?” Kayden asked, noticing I’d fallen silent.
“I feel like I should have been there for the competition tonight,” I admitted. “It’s my job to make sure everything goes right.”
“Who’s going to call you out for it? Holden?” She glanced at her mate, who gave me a reassuring smile.
“You aren’t going to lose your job,” he said. “I promise. Besides, you needed some time away. I’ve noticed how stressed you’ve been lately. Willow has it under control.”
I couldn’t argue with that, though the source of my stress wasn’t the Contention—not exactly. Just the man at the center of it.
“Come on, let’s have some fun,” Kayden said, grabbing my hand and pulling me to my feet. Then she turned to the others at the table. “There’s a perfectly good dance floor out here that we need to take advantage of. Holden? Ryker? Who wants to join us?”
I gasped, wanting to jab Kayden in the ribs for being so obvious. The next thing I knew, Holden had spun Kayden away into the crowd on the dance floor, and Ryker was staring down at me with a small smile.
“Shall we?” he asked.
I couldn’t exactly say no. And I probably shouldn’t. Garrett was off dating other women. Maybe it would be good for me to spend some time with another man—one who was actually available.
“Sure,” I said, offering him a smile in return.
He took my arm and led me to the dance floor, surprising me with his grace and agility. He was so muscular and bulky that he didn’t seem like dancing would come so naturally.
“So, how are you enjoying working for Holden?” I asked.
“He’s a great alpha,” Ryker replied, the corner of his mouth tipping up.
I laughed. “Why do I feel like you wouldn’t tell me if he wasn’t?”
Ryker shrugged, that hint of a smile lingering. Any other time, I would have found him ridiculously attractive with that sharp jawline and those deep, dark eyes, but all I could think of was what it would be like to dance in Garrett’s arms.
I shook that thought and tried to focus on the man who was right here. “Holden seems to be impressed with your work.”
Ryker made a humming noise. “I hope so. While I’m happy and proud to serve as an enforcer, I’d love to take on even more responsibility with the pack.”
“An overachiever?” I asked, relating to him on that level, at least.
“You could say that.” He bent his head, leaning in so close that I could feel his breath against my cheek when he whispered, “I think you know a little something about that.”
I let out a little nervous laugh, not sure how I felt about how intimate this dance was beginning to feel. “Oh?”
