“Yeah, where are you taking my daughter?”
I jolted at the question and whirled to see my father and brother standing in the doorway behind the screen door. How had I not realized that they’d walked up behind me?
“Out to a lovely dinner. There’s a place I’ve been hoping to try, and I can’t imagine more pleasant company for the meal.”
Ooh, that wassmooth.And thankfully, my father and brother knew better than to launch into some silly shovel talk.
My father nodded at Ben. “Sounds good. Don’t be afraid to bring leftovers.”
“Especially flan, if they have it,” my brother added. “Or cannoli.”
Ben flashed them a rueful smile. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but it almost seems that you might be fishing.”
“Me? I would never!” Simon winked at me, and it was difficult not to roll my eyes at his cheekiness. At least it was in good nature, which a lot of people couldn’t say when their dates met their family. “I’ve always loved surprises and never try to spoil them.”
I snorted, and Ben gave me a confused look, cocking an eyebrow. Much to my surprise, it was my father who explained instead of me.
“When the kids were much younger, we had to be very inventive about where we hid the Christmas presents, because Simon here would make it his mission to find them and spoil the surprise.”
My brother had the decency to look chagrined as he shrugged, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink. “To be fair, I stopped when I was six and figured out how awful that was.”
“It’s true, he did,” I said. “Goodnight, you two. I’ll be back later. You can shut the door now.”
Rolling his eyes, my brother closed the door.
“You have a lovely family,” he said, and it seemed like he really meant it. Now it was my turn to blush. Even though it wasn’t a compliment for me personally, I quite liked it when other people were kind or flattering to those I loved.
“Shall we?” he asked, gesturing to his car, light of the vehicle still on.
“Let’s,” I said, grinning wide enough to crease my lipstick. I didn’t care.
I could already tell it was going to be agreatdate.
TEN
BEN
The Spark of Attraction in Echoes of Grief
I was more nervous than I had been in ages. Despite being tempted to chicken out multiple times before the date, I’d walked up the porch steps, my heart beating so hard I was pretty sure even a non-shifter could hear it.
But then I’d seen her standing there in the yellowish light, andGod,she looked like a painting people would line up for hours just to see for a few minutes. Her hair was blonde tonight, and she had a natural sparkle to her. Her dress was something I imagined a fairy would wear. Was I a bit hung up on that? Perhaps. But it wasn’t my fault that Giselle always seemed one speck of magical dust away from being sucked intoThe Lord of the Ringsbooks.
She was too good for me.
Who was I? Some failed alpha with no pack, and a parent she’d had to call because I hadn’t realized how bad my son’s nightmares were. I was a schmuck. What did a successful, articulate, and incredibly kind woman want to do with me?
It was a mystery.
“Are you okay?” Giselle asked softly as I held the car door open for her.
Some of my emotional turmoil must have shown on my face. None of that now. Even if Giselle decided to never see me again, I wanted this to be a great night for her. I would try my best even if I felt completely inept.
And also guilty for being on a date.
“Watch out for the curb here,” I said, hoping it was a convincing cover. “It dips a bit.”
“Thank you,” Giselle said, her smile oh so soft, and I couldn’t help but notice those perfectly pink lips of hers. And yeah, I wasn’t crazy—those were sparkling too. Makeup. Millia hadn’t really been one for it, so I wasn’t used to seeing it on someone I was taking out.
