Shit. I took a deep breath, doing my best to push down my alpha’s need to take control. I’d come on too strong.
This time, the silence that descended on us was stilted and awkward.
If I couldn’t fix his leg right now, I at least needed to fix this between us. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
His shoulders loosened. “No, I’m sorry for being defensive. I fought my prognosis for a long time, and I’m doing better at accepting things, but it’s still hard.”
Before I could second-guess, my hand surrounded his. His skin was warm and rough as he entwined our fingers.
“Actually, I have my first appointment with pain management coming up and I was wondering if you’d come with me. If you’re not busy—”
“Yes,” I said, cutting him off. “I’ll be there.”
His smile was radiant, and I noticed the tiniest dimple on his right cheek.
“Thanks,” he said softly.
I nodded, feeling dazed. It was hard to keep my train of thought when I looked at Leo.
“How are the greenhouse flowers looking?” I finally asked.
“Really good. I think in the next year or two, I’ll be able to supply the majority of the flowers I need at my shop. I’ll have to give you a greenhouse tour when we go to family dinner.”
“I’d love that.” I had very briefly met Bibi when we’d picked up goat’s milk for Blossom. She’d given me a thorough once-over, said something to Leo in Farsi that made him blush, and told me she looked forward to getting to know me. I hadn’t realized what she’d meant at the time, but now I thought she’d known we were going to be a pack before we did.
I kept hold of Leo’s hand until Alvin brought out our food.
Our conversation flowed easily as we ate, but I was on edge with the anxious excitement coursing through my body. Was I just imagining the way he pressed his leg against mine? The way his scent deepened? Glances that could only be described as heated?
By the time Alvin dropped off a plate of fortune cookies, I was a flustered, aroused mess.
“Should we see what’s in our future?” Leo asked.
We each grabbed one and cracked them open. I squinted at the small slip of paper. Fuck, I really needed to start bringing readers with me. I was getting old. Finally, I managed to decipher the fortune.
The man across from you is hot. You should kiss him.
I almost choked. What the fuck?
Leo stared intently at his fortune, and I could have sworn that his face was red. He popped the cookie into his mouth and my gaze lingered on his lips.
“What does yours say?” I asked before I could stop myself.
He cleared his throat. “I’m going to the restroom.” He was out of his seat before I could say anything, his fortune crumpled in his hand.
I sat back in my seat, my heart beating like I’d just sprinted a mile. It was still racing when Leo returned to the table, a to-go bag of food for Lucy in hand.
“You ready?”
I nodded and stood. “I’ll get the check.”
He waved. “Don’t worry. I already paid.”
“Excuse me?” My voice deepened, my alpha surging. He wanted to take care of my beta, not the other way around.
Leo gave me a devastating wink. “Better luck next time.”
What. The.Fuck.
