"Yeah. Oh." He steals one of my fries. "Stop overthinking this, Bea. You're attracted to three alphas. They're all attracted to you. This doesn't have to be complicated."
"It feels complicated."
"That's because you're making it complicated." He points his stolen fry at me. "What if you just... let it happen?"
"Let what happen?"
"Whatever's going to happen." He eats the fry. "Stop running. Stop panicking. Just see where it goes."
I stare at him. "You're very confident that I'm into you."
"I am."
"What if I'm not?" I lift my chin. "What if you're reading this all wrong and I'm actually not that into you?"
His smile is slow and devastating. "You're not that into me?"
"Nope. Not at all."
"Huh." He leans back, clearly fighting a grin. "So the alley was...?"
"A mistake."
"And right now, sitting here with me instead of going home?"
"Pity. You looked lonely."
"Lonely." He's fully grinning now. "Right."
"I'm a very charitable person."
"Clearly." His eyes are dancing. "So you're not into me at all."
"Not even a little bit."
"Good to know." He steals another fry. "Makes this easier."
I narrow my eyes. "Makes what easier?"
"Pursuing you anyway." His grin turns wicked. "See, if you're not into me, then I've got nothing to lose. Can go all out."
Fuck. I walked right into that.
"You're impossible."
"And you're a terrible liar." He's laughing now. Actually laughing. "Your scent gives you away every time, Bea. You can say you're not into me all you want, but your body's telling a different story."
My face gives me away. "That's—you can't just?—"
"I can and I did." He looks entirely too pleased with himself. "Nice try though. Almost had me convinced."
I steal three of his fries in retaliation. "I hate you."
"No you don't."
"I really, really do."
"Still lying." His smile softens slightly. "But I'll let you keep pretending if it makes you feel better."
