"Yeah." I'm definitely going to the station first. "Probably a good idea."
She climbs off my lap carefully, settling back into her seat. I immediately miss her weight, her warmth.
I start the engine with hands that are still slightly shaky. The drive back is quiet, her hand linked with mine across the console.
When I drop her at her parents' house, she lingers in the doorway.
"Seth?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you." Her voice is soft. "For being exactly who you are. For not trying to be some smooth alpha who has all the moves. For being nervous and sweet and honest." She pauses. "And for making me come in your truck. That was new."
"Bea—"
"I'm serious!" But she's grinning now. "Best first date ever. Even with the horn incident."
"Glad the horn incident didn't ruin it."
"Are you kidding? That was my favorite part." She leans over and kisses me one more time. "You made me feel normal. Like maybe going into heat and losing my mind isn't the end of the world. Like you'll still be here even when I'm a disaster."
"Always," I promise. "Even when you're a disaster. Especially then."
She's out of the truck before I can respond, jogging up to her door. She turns back to wave, and even in the porch light I can see her smile.
I sit there for a long moment after she goes inside.
My phone buzzes.
Pack Chat
River:How'd it go?
I stare at the message. How do I even answer that?
Me:Good. Really good. She said she trusts us.
That's true. Everything else—the embarrassing parts—can stay between me and Bea.
Grayson:Her heat's close. Could be days.
River:Then we better be ready.
Me:We will be. Together.
I pull away from the curb, heading to the station to change.
My face is still hot thinking about what happened, but underneath the embarrassment is something else.
Happiness.
Because Bea saw me at my most awkward, most inexperienced, most pathetic—and she didn't laugh. Didn't judge.
She called it perfect.
And maybe—just maybe—this whole thing is going to work out after all.
Chapter 20
