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“Maybe we could watch some TV and just eat? I’ve got girls’ night tonight, but I want to relax until then.”
“Let’s do it,” Drew said, grabbing takeout containers along with Lake. Both of them carried them to the table while Riven grabbed drinks.
Micah still hadn’t left my side, so he led me to the coffee table, sitting on the floor before pulling me into his lap.
For the man who was afraid of touching me moments ago he was being bold now. I liked it. It was nice to not have a chance to second guess the touch or my reaction to it.
I shifted, settling to get more comfortable and sagged against him as his hands wound around my waist.
We let the others work on setting things up as I clicked through channels, settling on a cooking competition.
Micah finally released me when Lake pulled me out of his lap, settling me between them. They were both pressed close to me, their arms touching mine as we all ate in silence.
They didn’t push me or ask what happened, they simply existed with me, and that was exactly what I needed.
ChapterFifteen
Shaye
“There she is!” Ellie yelled out as I walked into the Mexican restaurant to join them. I’d expect to be a mess with anxiety, but instead, I just matched her smile and rushed over.
Lockwood was a small town, and I felt more than a few gazes on me as I moved toward them. People were probably wondering who I was and why I was here.
“I’m glad you came,” Serenity said as she shot Kat a glare. “I need you to solve a debate for me.” She gestured to Kat. She was the barista who had served me when I first came to Lockwood and I gave her a quick smile.
“Hey, Kat,” I said. She gave me a quick wave and leaned in, giving an overexaggerated sigh.
“She means between her and I specifically,” Kat said. “But ignore her. It’s nice to see you settled in. I hear you have a nice little pack for yourself, too.”
“Kat,” Ellie hissed, swatting at her, but Kat looked unrepentant. I found her and Serenity’s brand of brutal, blunt honesty kind of nice. I’d been around people pretending to be kind to me while gossiping about my loss behind my back.
“I do,” I agreed. “They’re great.”
That was all I gave them for now. There was nothing else to say. I was still a mess and it wasn’t going to fix itself overnight.
I turned back to Serenity to change the subject. “So, what’s the debate?”
She went serious and leveled me with a gaze that said this was important. Yet, given our current location and her half-empty margarita, it probably wasn’t.
“Is queso the superior food, or is chocolate?”
Ellie rolled her eyes and I had to fight off a laugh as I met Serenity’s energy, putting on my own serious expression.
“That’s tough. They both fit in a fountain, and they both are a comfort food. Can they be of equal rank?”
“She has a point,” Kat said. “Wait, why have we not had a chocolateandqueso fountain party? I’m going to need you to talk to Drake and Valerie and make this happen,” Kat said.
Serenity laughed and shook her head. “You know my dad would be all over that. He’d grill a bunch of meat to dip in it, and mom would make homemade tortilla chips and tiny desserts.”
“Oh my lord, I’m texting them right now,” Kat said, tapping away at her phone.
“You might actually get your old man out of the house,” Serenity teased. Kat rolled her eyes and leaned into me.
“Look, tell her there’s nothing wrong with dating a silver fox.”
“She’s dating one of my mate’s dads,” Ellie said. “She’s as young as his kids.” She started cackling as Kat threw a tortilla chip at her.
“Are you really?” I questioned, my grin coming naturally this time. “Get it. Nothing wrong with knowing what you want. At least older men don’t tend to beat around the bush.”
