“Just like that?”
“Just like that. You’re not obligated to do anything you don’t want to.”
“What’s the catch?”
“No catch, but if you need one, get rid of that girlfriend I saw you with earlier.”
Ted snickers, covering his mouth.
“Can I ask the Princess out on a date?”
“Are you fucking testing me?”
“Yes, I am. Just checking to see how much I can get away with.”
“Now you’re pushing your luck.” I spin around and leave the store, not doubting for a minute that he would stay.
With time to kill, I place a custom order for a matching watch. It won’t be ready for several weeks, but I’m not in a rush. I don’t need a special day to give my girl a gift. I return to the other store to pick up the dagger.
The woman behind the counter addresses me as Young Alpha as she hands me the package. Now that I recall, the waitress at the coffee shop did too. I could have sworn my fathersent out the notification that Troy was the Young Alpha. I’ll ask him about it when I see him.
I almost don’t recognize Reggie when he emerges from the back of Ted’s shop. His long, wild hair is cut and styled. He no longer wears that faded t-shirt and old pair of jeans. I give Ted a nod of approval and move to the counter to sign for the clothing under the firm’s account.
I realize the time. I have to leave. I need to meet with my father, and then I really need to make it to Jessica’s dinner. On our way out of the mall, I instruct Reggie to ride with me. I’ll arrange for someone to drop him off when he completes the paperwork.
“Reggie, baby?” a shrill voice calls out from the center of the mall. Reggie continues straight ahead. “Reggie!” the girl screams.
He shifts the garment bags in his arms and tightens his hold on the bags that contain his shoes. As we pass some of the shops, the windows start to rattle. He really needs to learn how to control his emotions. I can work with him on that, as soon as I figure out what his capabilities are.
The girl rushes forward, directly in our path, “Reggie, I was calling for you. Didn’t you hear me?”
He doesn’t stop walking, just inclines his head toward her. “Lose my number, babe. I just got a better offer.”
Her mouth drops open, and her face turns red. Her high-pitched shriek doesn’t waver his confidence.
Taking a deep breath, he turns toward me. “Because we are running short on time, we can negotiate the terms of my job description and pay on the way to the office, sir.”
I nod in agreement.
“I will take the clothing, shoes, and haircut as pay for the day and as a sign-on bonus.”
This kid will make a hell of a lawyer one day. I offer him a crooked smile and lead the way out of the mall.
The top floor of the firm’s building is eerily quiet. I set Reggie in my future office with the paperwork and walk down the corridor to my father’s door. I find him sitting at his large desk with his face planted in his hands, a large bottle of bourbon next to him.
I have never seen him drink during the day unless he's celebrating with a client and even then, that's rare.
“Dad? What the hell is going on?”
“Tyler, have a seat...”
Chapter 54
Shiftless
JESSICA
Six Years Ago
