James is an enigma that I can’t help find myself drawn to. I want to know everything about him, his likes, dislikes. But most of all, I can’t help but want James to like me. I don’t think I can fully commit to this pack until I know that James is one-hundred percent in.
Thank goodness I took that nap between working with Ezra and dinner. I slept a little longer tonight but set an alarm, so I could be out here. I do the same as I did the night before, putting my legs into the pool water and waiting patiently.
When I hear the lock clicking into place from the greenhouse, I try to tamper down my enthusiasm.
“Hey,” he says.
I smile and try to hide my excitement. “Hi.”
“Can’t sleep?” I lie and nod my head. He sits next to me, but I swear he’s closer than the night before. “Do you want to smoke?”
I shake my head no. As much as I liked the feeling yesterday, I need to keep my wits about me.
“Mind if I do?” he asks, and I shake my head no. He has a joint this time, and he lights it with a lighter before inhaling deeply. “How was work with Ezra today?”
I grin. “So good and exciting. I had a lot of fun.”
“He seemed really happy after work, thank you.”
My brows furrow, and I spin my calves in the lukewarm water. “You know you make him happy, right?”
He nods, the lit end of his joint lighting up his face. “I know, but he deserves the world.”
“So do you.”
He shakes his head and exhales. “You don’t even know me.”
“I want to.”
“When you have two perfectly capable Alphas inside?”
“Even then.” He inhales again and looks at me softly. He’s so handsome, in a lithe male model way.
“What do you want to know?”
“Everything.” He laughs, and my cheeks heat. “Mmm, have you always liked growing things?”
He nods. “Yeah, I like the solitude and simplicity of gardening. There’s a lot that goes on with making things perfect, but it’s calming.”
“What else do you like to do?”
“I like surfing sometimes, but I mostly like staying at home. Ian and Ezra are the only people I truly feel like I can be myself around.”
“I want to be one of those people.”
I’m nearly shocked to pieces when his hand comes across and lands on my thigh, squeezing gently. His other hand preoccupied with his joint. “I think I want that too.” He grabs an ashtray behind him and taps the joint a few times.
“What about you, what do you like?”
“I think I’m still figuring that out, but I know I like dancing, animals, plants. I guess I have a lot of hobbies but none that I could make a career out of.”
He laughs and shakes his head. “Who says you have to work?”
“Well, I guess nobody, but it feels like I have to.”
“Why?”
“Well, isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?”
