Hunny shrugged innocently. “I can’t help myself.”
The server returned, placing the full, icy beverage in front of Hunny. She also set down some silverware and napkins before leaving them to their meal.
With a small squeal of excitement, Hunny snatched up a slice of her pizza, taking a bite. She closed her eyes, humming appreciatively as she chewed. “This was such a good idea.”
Nessa picked up a slice of her own pizza: pepperoni, sausage and green peppers. The two women ate in companionable silence. Hunny was absorbed in her food, but while Nessa’s tasted fantastic, her concentration was on their surroundings.
She was armed, so if Angelo were actually here, she’d do what she needed to protect herself and Hunny. Hopefully, there wasn’t an actual threat, and she’d only conjured her brother up with her overactive imagination.
After devouring a few more slices, Hunny groaned, scooting her half-eaten plate toward the center of the table. “I need to conserve my strength for dessert.”
Nessa snorted, polishing off the rest of her slice. They’d eaten about the same amount. “I thought you said you’re always hungry now? Murphy would have smashed two large pizzasanddessert.”
Hunny laughed, rubbing a hand over her belly as she leaned back in the booth. “I told you what I ate before. I was a grazer, and everything I ate was pretty light since my metabolism is different and I don’t need as much food as the guys. Eating half a pizza and still wanting sweets is practically me gorging on food.”
“Noted.”
Jolene strolled over, inspecting their plates casually. “How was everything?”
“Delicious,” Hunny answered. “And now I’m ready for some chocolate.”
The server nodded, pulling out two small menus from her apron and handing them each one. “We have a few dessert options, but if you’re craving chocolate, our Brownie Deluxe is perfect.”
“I want that,” Hunny said, handing the menu back without looking at it. “Brownie Deluxe is with the ice cream and chocolate chips, right?”
“Right.” The server looked at Nessa expectantly.
She handed her own menu to their server. “I’ll have the same.” She felt pretty full, but she wouldn’t let her friend eat dessert alone.
What was she, a monster?
“Alright, two Brownie Deluxes, coming right up.”
Hunny wiggled her hips from side to side, doing a little happy dance in her seat as the server disappeared back into the kitchen.
Glancing back down at her phone to check the time, Nessa’s brows rose in surprise. Nearly an hour had passed since she’d looked at it last.
Just then, the bell at the front door chimed. Her head shot up at the noise, her heart stalling in her chest when she spotted her mate stepping into the diner, his broad shoulders and impressive height filling the doorway. Instantly, her anxiety disappeared, replaced by a wave of relief.
Murphy had changed into a light-wash pair of jeans, a burgundy sweater covering his torso. Her heart ached. Would there ever come a time when he felt comfortable enough in his own skin to wear something else? She hoped so.
As he stepped fully into the diner, she noticed he definitely hadn’t come alone. Not only had he brought Tank, he’d also brought Jasper, Colter and Zeke.
Murphy inhaled, cocking his head in her direction. Their eyes met, and she swore she saw his dark brown eyes melt into pools of rich chocolate as he devoured her from afar. Everything in herresponded to that look; her thighs clenched, her core spasmed, and her pulse picked up a frantic tempo in her ears.
He said something to his companions and then moved toward her, his long strides eating up the distance between them in a matter of seconds.
“Hey, Nes,” he murmured tenderly, pulling her up from the booth and wrapping an arm around her waist. He cupped the back of her head and leaned down, brushing his lips over hers. “I missed you.”
“You did?”
She nearly facepalmed. What the hell kind of question was that?
Adumbone, but was it really her fault? Murphy had strode over here and scrambled her brain with just a kiss.
“I mean, I missed you, too,” she corrected, craning her head to follow his mouth for another kiss.
He obliged her, nibbling on her lower lip and giving her a playful growl that she felt all the way down to her toes.
