“What did they do?” My voice has a touch of a growl, my alpha rising further.
Ruby sighs, brushing one of the pink waves framing her face off of her shoulder. “Oh, you know, typical alpha stuff. Catcalling me because I’m in a tight dress and I was alone. Acting like they’re entitled to my attention and insulting me when I didn’t respond.”
I have to grip the napkin in my lap in a fist to keep from actually growling this time. “That’s horrible. No wonder you’re upset. Fuck, Ruby, that’s inexcusable. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to…”
I trail off, realizing I’m letting my alpha get too protective of a woman I don’t even know.
She raises her eyebrow. “Go on. What would you have done?”
Shit. No matter what I say, I’m going to look bad.
“Clearly, you handled it yourself,” I say, hedging, but stop when she starts to frown. “Honestly? I would’ve made them shut their mouths. Preferably by calling their shit out, but if that didn’t work, I would’ve done it with my fists.”
“Hmm.” Her expression is inscrutable.
“I know that makes me sound like some caveman alpha. I’m not a violent person. But if you threaten and harass someone, you don’t deserve courtesy.”
Her mouth twitches up at the corner. “Is it terrible if I say I agree? I would’ve really liked to punch them, but I just did mynails.” She holds her hand out for me to see her pink and white manicure.
Shit, did my dick just perk up at the idea of her handing some rude alphas their asses?
“Not terrible. I think you made the right call.” I reach over to inspect her nails. “They don’t sound worth ruining your acrylics.”
She chuckles, and there’s a frisson of awareness as her fingertips brush against mine.
Of course, that’s when the waiter returns, and she pulls away.
He pours Ruby’s wine, then fills our water glasses. “Ready to order?”
Crap, I didn’t even look at the menu. “Uhhh…”
Ruby laughs and picks hers up, scanning it quickly before shooting me a cheeky smile over the top of the menu that makes my stomach flutter. “Yes, I’d like the surf and turf, and can I get that with a side of the truffle mac and cheese?”
A grunt of laughter escapes me, and Ruby’s eyes sparkle even more.
She’s so fucking charming.
“Perfect, we can absolutely do that. And for you, sir?”
“Uh, I guess I’ll get that goat cheese and arugula salad special you mentioned, with…chicken?” It’s the only thing I remember him listing.
Ruby’s smile falls, and she scoffs softly.
“Got it.” The waiter taps his pad of paper with his pen. “I’ll get these put in with the kitchen.”
“Was that the wrong choice?” I ask, trying to assess what just happened.
She shakes her head, seeming to realize that her reaction was odd. “No, it’s fine. If that’s what you want, that’s great. Shit, sorry, I’m being such a hypocrite.”
“You are?”
“Yes. I’m judging your food choices. Which is the exact opposite of what someone should do on a date. Or ever. I guess between the whole sober thing and the salad, it made me worry you’re some kind of health nut.”
I look down at myself, and my padded, thick torso as she takes a sip of her wine. “Uh, no, definitely not a health nut. Maybe a mental health nut?” Wow, dude, way to be cringe.
“Oh really? How so?”
“Most of my life choices are made to help manage my, uh…my depression.”
