“You want five larges?” Jolene gaped at him. He held her stare, and she swallowed thickly, blinking hard before nodding. “Of course. That’ll be about twenty minutes.”
“We’re in no rush,” Murphy assured her.
“Speak for yourself,” Jasper muttered when they were alone again. “I haven’t had anything since lunch.”
Nessa checked the time on her phone. “It’s barely past three.”
“Exactly,” Jasper answered firmly. “I ate at noon before I got to Murphy’s. That’s three whole hours, Nessa. I’m practically starving.”
Zeke choked on a laugh while Colter struggled to keep his expression neutral.
“Don’t sass my mate,” Murphy ordered, scraping the spoon against the dessert plate to scoop up some melting ice cream. “That’s my job.”
“Yeah,” Nessa agreed lightly, any lingering unease she’d felt earlier completely wiped out with Murphy and his people here. It was kind of fun, honestly, watching them joke around and being part of their inner circle.
Murphy kissed the side of her head, his mouth paving a path to the shell of her ear. “Are you sure you’re okay?” he whispered.
She nodded, dropping her head onto his arm when he straightened. “I’m good.”
“I’ll check the area out when we leave.”
She doubted he’d have much luck, given that she didn’t have any photos of her brother to show him, but she appreciated the effort.
Soon enough, the extra food arrived, and the guys dug into their meals, uncaring of how crammed the table was with pizza. Nessa and Hunny shared amused looks while the men ate.
It didn’t even take them ten minutes to polish off all the pizza. Before they could order anything else, Murphy stood from the table, maneuvering past Zeke and Colter and walking over to the cash register to get the bill.
“Murphy said you might have seen someone you knew in town,” Tank said from across the table, his voice a scratchy rumble.
Nessa nodded. “Is that all he said?”
“All he needed to, as far as I’m concerned. Glad you called,” he added, his arm wrapping around Hunny once more.
“Me, too.” Jasper nudged her shoulder with his own. “Sorry, by the way. For throwing you under the bus the other day. I just wanted my mom off my back.”
“Apology accepted.” Nessa nudged him back. “So are you excited about your upcoming vampire excursion?”
Colter groaned loudly. “Please don’t bring that up. If I have to hear another word about it, my head will spontaneously explode.”
“Promises, promises,” Zeke grumbled.
Murphy strode back to their table. Colter and Zeke stood, returning their chairs to the other table while Murphy helped Nessa from her seat.
Jasper followed after as Tank and Hunny also rose.
“Thanks for lunch,” Nessa told Murphy, standing on her tiptoes and giving him a peck on the cheek. “You didn’t have to pay for my meal.”
“Yes, I did. Part of the wooing process, Nes.” Murphy took her hand, leading her toward the exit. He held open the door.
“First, you paid, and now you’re being chivalrous? Consider me wooed,” she teased.
Murphy followed her out. She turned to him as a cold breeze blasted them both, sending a shiver down her spine. His nostrils flared as his brows snapped down in concern. He stiffened, the smile dying on his face.
Jasper stopped beside them, sending Colter a confused look. “I thought you said Marcus was at home sick?”
Colter hesitated before saying, “I did.”
“Then why do I smell his scent?” Murphy growled. “And why is it fresh?”
