“Yeah.” He grinned. “You’ll love it.” Taking her hand, he led her through the hallways to a small private dining area and gave a nod to Theo before surveying the room. Ah, shit. Theo had brought Ginny.
* * * *
Ronni’s stomach rumbled like she hadn’t eaten in months, which she pretty much hadn’t. If the pizza was half as good as it smelled, she’d be in heaven in about ten minutes.
Olivia rushed for her, enveloping her in a hug complete with a happy hop. “You look even better than this morning. Alive. So well.” Joy filled Olly’s laugh.
Ronni hugged her back, tears pricking her eyes. They were alive and would be for possibly forever. The two of them. She leaned back, smiling at the wonderful sparkles in Olly’s eyes. “You look even happier.”
“I am.” Olly pulled her toward an empty seat. “You know Chalton and Theo.” She nodded toward a stunning blonde sitting between the men across the table. “This is Ginny.”
“Hi.” Ronni smiled.
Ginny smiled back, but the greeting didn’t meet her eyes. Was she nervous? Ronni tuned in her senses and nearly lost her breath. Tension. It was all around her. She glanced at Jared, who took the seat next to her without meeting her gaze. Interesting.
Ginny smoothed back her long hair. “Theo has been taking such good care of me.” She patted his hand on the table. “I don’t know what I would’ve done.” Her voice was soft and a little timid.
“You were fine,” Theo said shortly, taking a drink of what looked like beer.
“Oh, no.” Ginny shook her head, her eyes widening. “We had an attack at the hotel.”
Jared stiffened next to Ronni. “An attack?” He focused on Theo.
Theo rubbed a hand through his shaggy hair. “No. It was probably just a car backfiring.”
The redheaded waitress entered, her notepad ready to take orders. During the hustle, Olivia leaned over to whisper. “Ginny’s a witch.Thewitch from Jared’s past.”
Ronni stiffened. Wind whirled through her, and it took a moment for her to pin down the emotions. She was jealous? Why? She’d just met Jared. Of course, her skin held the heat from his, and her body still tingled from him taking her up against the wall. “Well, she is beautiful,” Ronni whispered.
Olivia rolled her eyes. “If you like that look.”
That look? Long blonde hair, bright blue eyes, flawless skin? Yeah. Who’d like that look? The woman sat directly across from them and was no doubt even more beautiful closer up.
Chalton gave them a look. Oh, yeah. Super vampire hearing. Well, who cared? Ronni and Olivia weren’t changing their lives just because they’d joined up with the supernatural. “Where’s her mate?” Ronni asked.
“Dead. She took some virus and came running for Jared,” Olivia said, taking a sip of water from a thick plastic glass.
“Oh.” A rock smashed into Ronni’s stomach, heavy and painful. She reached for her own glass, and her thigh brushed Jared’s hard one. Desire poured through her. One little touch and she wanted to get him naked again. But he’d done her an unbelievable favor in saving her life. If he wanted his freedom now, she had no choice but to give it to him. That had been the plan, right?
Ginny fluttered her hands together. “I just don’t know what to order. What do you recommend, Jared?” From across the table, she gave a helpless shrug.
Ronni frowned. “Pizza?”
Oliva coughed next to her.
Jared nodded. “Definitely pizza.” He leaned toward Ronni. “What kind do you like?”
“Loaded,” she said, trying to appear nonchalant when his breath brushed her ear. Her nipples peaked beneath her sweater, and she hunched forward.
“Excellent,” Jared said, his voice calm and soothing. “The fact that your appetite is back has to be a good sign.”
Ginny sighed. “How nice to be able to gain weight. No matter what I eat, I stay petite.”
“How sad,” Olivia said sweetly.
Ronni kicked her sideways under the table. “Not me.” Did Jared like the helpless and tiny type? She frowned. How irritating.
“Good. Eat up and regain those curves I saw in your pictures,” he said, as if reading her mind. The waitress brought breadsticks and pitchers of beer, and he plopped two sticks on her bread plate. “I didn’t ask. Do you like beer?”
