I raised my brow at the username but didn’t ask for an explanation.
Westin placed a token in my hand. “Your turn.”
“I’ve never played,” I confessed.
Her jaw dropped before her expression transformed into a mischievous smile. “Oh, this is going to be fun.”
A couple of hours later,Westin and I exited the arcade. She was still cackling at my pitiful Dance Dance Revolution performance. I couldn’t find it in myself to be embarrassed when she was so fucking happy. This was how I wanted her all the time—happy and relaxed, without a care in the world.
We’d burned through most of the tokens, but I still had a couple in my pocket. They jangled lightly as we walked to the car, arm in arm. It was hard to focus on anything other than the feel of Westin’s body pressed against mine, my hand gripping her hip so she stayed close to me. Her silver hair gleamed in the streetlight. Contrary to her username, she looked like an angel.
I opened the passenger side door for her, reluctantly letting her go.
The drive back to her house was quiet, but in that calm, peaceful way. I took a chance and placed my hand on her thigh. She didn’t push me away. Instead, her fingers traced gentle patterns on my skin. I tightened my grip, my fingers digging into the softness of her leg. She inhaled sharply. I wanted to move my hand higher, to dip my fingers into her heat. I wanted to makeher come on my fingers, to capture her cries of pleasure with my mouth, to sear them in my memory forever.
Instead, I eased my grip and asked, “Now that the interviews are starting again, do you think you’ll participate?” I tried to keep the tension out of my voice, unsure of what answer I was hoping for.
“No,” she said softly, turning to stare out the window. “I’m not eligible, so I guess no pack for me.”
The small, selfish part of me that wanted Westin all to myself rejoiced, but it was quickly squashed out. Westin needed a pack, and I wanted to be part of it. Questions burned on my tongue—what made her ineligible? Who in their right mind would ever reject her? But I held back asking them, knowing it was probably too much for a first date. If I were lucky, we would have more time together. Like forever.
I pulled into her driveway. I frowned at how dark the house was, hating the idea of her walking from room to room in the darkness.
The walk to the front door was too short. I didn’t want the night to end. Westin fidgeted with the keys, glancing back up at me. She looked like she was waiting for something. Did she want me to make a move? Did she want me to leave? My mouth was dry, and a trickle of sweat dripped down my back.
“I want to see you again,” I blurted out, panicked by the idea of her slipping into the dark, empty house and never seeing her again.
She bit her lip to try and hide the smile spreading across her face.
“I’d like that,” she said softly.
“I leave to go out of town tomorrow for my sister’s wedding. I’ll be gone for two weeks. But when I get back, can we go out again?”
Westin nodded. “I hope you have fun at the wedding.”
I wrapped my arms around her waist, my body relaxing instantly as she melted into me. I loved my sister, but right now it was hard to remember why I was leaving town, leaving this sweet omega who I already wanted to be mine.
18
WESTIN
Ithrew myself onto my bed, feeling bright and giddy. The past couple of hours at the arcade—playing games, drinking beer, and stealing little kisses in the dark corners with Henry—had made me feel like my younger self again. My teenage self, who was adventurous and optimistic and had no idea what was in store for her.
Of course, the date had confirmed what I’d already known—Henry was too good for me. He was close to his family, who seemed nice and normal. For fuck’s sake, he’d left a high-paying job to do human rights law. He was kind and hot andinnocent.Inserting myself into his life seemed almost cruel in some way, as if my mere presence would stain him.
Although… I hadn’t inserted myself into his life. He’d inserted himself in mine.
My phone dinged and I rolled over to grab it.
Henry
I really loved my time with you. Please don’t forget about me while I’m gone.
I grinned, kicking my legs.
Westin
Trust me, you were plenty memorable.
