And despite knowing that there’s probably someone being a snoop on us right now, I cup her face and kiss her that second time, letting this one linger.
She’s grinning when I pull away. “So, that’s a yes, right?”
My phone vibrates as I laugh. It’s Papa again.
You’re good. Any time after 12. He says to text Frank, his captain, when you’re within half an hour of the dock. I’ll send his number.
Thank you. Love you.
Love you too
“We’re booked for one,” I tell her.
And then I bask in her happy squeal. For the first time in a long time, contentment warms me, spreading through my chest until it lightens every part of me. I could get used to this.
Fifteen
MEGAN
“Icannot believe you lied to him about having to work this morning.”
Marcus narrows his eyes as he steps out of the rideshare, a bag slung casually over his shoulder. He’s dressed down compared to his typical—medium wash jeans and a brown Henley he’s left unbuttoned.
“I promised I’d back off and give you both a chance to get to know him,” he explains a bit stiffly. His movements are short and agitated, belying his underlying tension, as he rolls the sleeves up to above the elbows, leaving his forearms on full display.
“That’s just rude,” I say.
He frowns, but I just raise an eyebrow.
“It is,” I double down with a smirk. “You say you’re wanting to give us room to hang out with him, and yet you go and roll up your sleeves like you’re some sex god. Jesus, Marcus. If it’s not Cole, Charlotte will be all over you with that outfit.”
His cheeks flush a dark red as he glances away, out toward the long dock whose address Cole had sent after Charlotte had let us know the afternoon plan. We’ve never been more than friends, never even been tempted to cross that line and experiment. Maybe because we had already both designated when we met in college? Except I know plenty of packs where the Alphas are together, too, just like Charlotte and Marcus are in ours.
Whatever the reason, Marcus has been one of my closest friends over the last decade. Even the years he spent working for the LA Philharmonic across the country, we’d still call every few months and check in with each other. And when I mentioned wanting to try my luck with the Council to find a potential Omega because I was exhausted with trying to date the traditional way? He and Charlotte had jumped right in despite him having this bond with Cole already.
“Marcus?”
He focuses on me, his eyebrows furrowing with instant worry at the sudden weight to my voice.
“What’s wrong?”
“Thanks for being the best friend a girl could have,” I say.
He relaxes, and a grin brightens his face and warms his eyes. “Of course, Megs. Now let’s figure out where this tour is happening.”
We walk shoulder to shoulder as the rideshare leaves, heading farther onto the dock. There’s no signs for a tour boat anywhere though, just the small informational signs listing hours of the marina posted on the gate blocking access to the boats themselves. Boats that are much larger and more expensive than I’d expected for something that’s definitely a tourist niche. These are large and sleek, their paint pristine. The smallest of them still feels leagues fancier than any of the ferries I’ve ridden in other parts of the country.
I can’t help but whistle at the blatant wealth on display. Whoever owns these yachts are freakingloaded.
“There is no way this is a marina for the tour boats,” Marcus mutters.
“Maybe he sent us the wrong one?” I ask, though I don’t even really believe it. Cole’s been so careful with everything he’s done since the video call Wednesday. I just don’t see him making the kind of error that is sending us to the wrong marina, not when heliveshere.
Marcus makes a noise low in his throat like he often does. This one conveys his unease. He shoves his hands in his pockets before glancing over his shoulder back toward the road. The parking lot is nearly empty, just a few cars nestled together in the back corner. They’re in good shape, but not the brands I’d expect to match the obvious wealth of the boats.
A black sedan pulls into the lot as I’m looking, similar to the larger SUV that had picked us up from the airport last night. Cole climbs out before the driver can open his door. His hand is laced with Charlotte’s as he helps her out. Her gaze finds us immediately, and she waves across the space even as she tucks into Cole’s side, keeping most of her body touching his.
“Well, I suppose we’ll find out where to go now,” I say, and Marcus hums one of his “yes” sounds.
