The woman’s pretty eyes darted to Delta. “Oh, of course. Of course you’re waiting for a friend. I’m so sorry…for…you know.”
He didn’t know. He didn’t know at all. “For what?”
“For assuming.”
“For assuming what?”
Her cheeks were so intensely red now. “That you’re single. I’m sorry!” She turned in a rush and yanked the door open and disappeared inside, leaving him staring after her blankly.
What?
“Hey,” Delta said, squeezing his shoulder as she scurried around the table to the other side. She took her seat and removed her jacket. “It’s hot today.”
It was actually about three degrees out here, but he got it. He was nearly sweating by the heater. He stood and dragged the heater farther away from them and glanced at the window. The pretty woman had taken the seat right by it, facing away from them.
Had she been trying to ask him out or something? He didn’t get it. Humans dating werewolves was taboo and frowned upon by both sides. There was no way her mother had dared her to go after him. Humans didn’t do that. Well, except for Nory, who was paired with his Alpha, Liam. She was crazy though and lacked self-preservation.
Hell, if he was a human, you couldn’t pay him enough to send one of his kids to talk to one. Werewolves were all disasters.
“Hello?” Delta asked.
He dragged his attention back to Nate’s mate. “Hey.”
“Who is that?” she asked, looking at the menu.
“I think some human just tried to ask me out,” he murmured, still in disbelief.
“Well, that tracks.”
“What do you mean?”
Delta looked up from her menu and her bright green eyes were genuine as she said, “You’re single, you have a good job, you have a house, and some would say you’re handsome. Not me, I think you’re annoying, but I could see the appeal.”
“From a human?” Maybe everyone in this town had lost their minds, including him.
“Nory’s a human, and she paired up with Liam.”
“Nory’s crazy,” he said, leaning forward. “Nory’s life span is probably shortened by two decades because she wanted to bang a werewolf.”
“Whatever, Dodger. I’ll keep her safe.”
“From the Elders?” If they were doing lala land today, he needed a drink. He waved at the server who was coming outside with a pad and pen.
“I’ll be honest,” she said in greeting, “I thought you were just sitting out here people watching. We hardly ever have people out here when it’s this co—holy cow, you’re one of those.” She’d apparently just noticed his eye color.
Automatically, he pulled a pair of sunglasses over his eyes, but she was already smelling like panic.
“I can’t do this,” she said in a shaky voice.
“What’s happening?” Delta sounded confused, but Dodger wasn’t. This happened a lot.
“It’s fine,” he said, trying to control the growl in his tone. “Is there someone else who could take our order?”
“No one here is going to serve you,” she said from where she’d settled near the door.
“Wait, I’ve come here a few times,” Delta said, and God bless the little innocent tone in her voice. She’d been raised soft in her old Pack. “I never bother anyone and I tip well. No one has ever refused to serve me.”
“Well, you don’t look like that one,” she said, pointing.
