“Fine.” Isaac got in the car and buckled his belt. Once I was in the driver’s seat, he continued. “But now you owe me matcha afterward.”
“Deal.”
The number had sent an address this time. It was a café on Main Street. I knew it. It was one of my favorites. When I pulled up, I did see my mate sitting at the table, along with Thomas. Two omegas were standing near their table, smiling as they spoke. One of them was Zane.
“Charlie, just because that Zane dude is standing there doesn’t mean anything weird is going on with Jamie. Remember that.” Isaac rubbed his hand on my back. “Look, Thomas is there with him. Just like he told you. He was meeting up with his friend today. A buddy day, just like you are having with me. Can we go now? I want my matcha.”
I looked at my phone. A new text had just come through.
Jamie:Augh. Zane showed up at the café Thomas and I are at. He is so annoying. Wish you were here.
I texted back.It’s your lucky day. Isaac and I are just outside. See you soon.
I turned to Isaac with a smile. “Guess we are meeting up with Jamie and Thomas. Let’s go.”
I then ignored the tiny, distressed squeal that came from my best friend. I wasn’t sure why he was acting so weird whenever I mentioned the other firefighter, but I could only focus on one thing at a time right now, and that was not the thing I was choosing. I needed to rescue my mate from an unwanted admirer.
Walking into the café, Isaac and I went directly to the table my mate was seated at. I silently scooted past the gabbing Zane and planted myself onto Jamie’s lap. Isaac hesitatingly took the seat next to Thomas, who in turn refused to look in my best friend’s direction.
I really needed to figure out what was going on there. But later. Now, I need to focus on my mate and this pest.
“Hey, Zane.” I gave a small wave and a one-sided smile. “How have you been?”
“Good.” Zane stood before us, a bit of his brightness dimming. His eyes darted to my cell phone that I had placed on the table as I sat. “How are you?”
“I’m good. Got a couple of crazy messages today, but I just deleted them. Sometimes, you just need to ignore annoying things like that and worry about the people who matter, like your best friend or mate.” I raised my brow and ran a hand down Jamie’s chest. “Don’t you agree?”
“I gotta go.” Zane grabbed the hand of his friend, who had remained silent the whole time, and stormed away.
“What was up with that?” Jamie tilted my chin in his direction with his pointer finger. “Claiming me in front of him, baby?”
“Of course.” I leaned in and kissed Jamie’s nose. “He needs to stop trying to steal my man.”
“I think we know who sent those texts now.” Isaac pointed to my cell. “Show Jamie the bullshit that got sent to you today. He needs to know someone is trying to start shit.”
I hadn’t planned to, because after the insecurity wore off and I realized Jamie would never betray me, the text just seemed laughable. But since my bestie brought it up, I had to show it. I pulled it up on my phone and shoved it at my mate. “Here. I think someone is stuck in the land of delulu.”
Jamie read the screen and then showed Thomas, who scoffed.
“As if Jamie has eyes for anyone but his mate.” Thomas rolled his eyes. “Even at work, you are all this man can talk about.”
“See. I told you.” Isaac nodded and pointed at my mate, who was staring at me. “Big, ole heart eyes, right there.”
“You see that, too?” Thomas glanced at Isaac, and I could see an energy pass between the two.
I noticed Isaac pulling down the sleeves of his sweater, hiding his tattoo.
Oh. Interesting.
“Don’t worry. I’ll tell him to stop.” Jamie wrapped his arms around me. “There is only one mate for me, and that’s this brat here.”
“Hey, he’s my brat.” Isaac narrowed his eyes, but his lips fought a smile. “But I guess I can share.”
A small, tiny rumble came from the direction of Thomas, and I caught a glimpse of Isaac’s hand reach over and brush his leg, immediately silencing the beast.
I need to question my bestie once we leave here.
“Well, now that the mosquito is gone, I’m stealing your mate again for some more fun. You two finish your café lunch, and we will see you later.” Isaac stood and pulled me from my mate’s lap. “Charlie promised me matcha.”
