“The best part,” Ciarán says between laughs, “is when the alpha is all cocky and dominant, and the beta flips it on him. Total power shift. Fuck yes.”
He’s literally pumping his fist. I laugh into my tea.
“I liked that,” I admit before I can think better of it. “…I mean, I think it’s hot. Not the dominant or rough stuff,” I say, cheeks blazing. “The… I don’t know—the shared control, but also the trust between them.”
They freeze.
“What did you say?” Abbie whispers, eyes the size of saucers.
“I—well, when the alpha and beta… nothing. Forget it.”
“Oh my god,” Ciarán gasps. “You dirty little—”
“Don’t,” I warn, getting flustered.
They howl with laughter, throwing pillows at me. Abbie leans forward like she’s about to start taking notes. “Now tell me, for research purposes only…”
Her voice cuts off at the sound of steps approaching.
“Oh shit, we’re being murdered. I’m too pretty to die,” Ciarán says under his breath, clutching Abbie’s shoulders.
I roll my eyes at his melodramatic behavior.
A moment later, Noah comes into view, striding toward the back of the store with his gym bag slung over one shoulder.
He glances our way, a smile passing over his face when he sees me. Our eyes connect, and he lifts his hand to wave. I didn't even hear the door opening over our laughter.
My stomach swoops. How much did he hear?
Abbie and Ciarán are grinning at each other like wolves scenting prey. “Hey, Noah!” Ciarán suddenly calls. “Quick question—”
“No. No questions!” I hiss at him.
There’s a pause, then footsteps, and Noah reappears at the edge of the nook. “Hey guys, what’s up?”
Abbie’s eyes sparkle. “We’re talking about power dynamics in fiction. Specifically, in… romance.”
Noah’s gaze flicks to me, his lips twitching as he tries to suppress a smile. “Are you?”
Ciarán holds up the book. “Have you ever read this?”
I want the floor to open up and swallow me. But to my utter disbelief, Noah doesn’t look fazed. He steps further into the nook, tilting his head like he’s considering it.
“I might have seen Gabe’s copy upstairs,” he says slowly. “Might’ve had a look through it…” His eyes cut to mine while a sly grin spreads across his face.
Oh God.
My face burns. It’s like every molecule of oxygen leaves the room. He’steasing me. And somehow, it’s worse that he’s gentle about it. It’s not cruel mocking, he’s being playful. It’s almost harder to take.
My face is on fire now. Why is this happening to me?
Abbie’s jaw drops. “Oh my god, he’s one of us.”
“No,” I say quickly, heat crawling up my neck. “He’s not—”
“He is,” Ciarán sings, eyes alight with mischief as he starts to chant, “one of us, one of us.”
Noah smirks, shifting his bag on his shoulder. “Enjoy your meeting.”
