“There aren’t any prices on here.”
“Don’t worry about it. Let’s go wild and order appetizers and desserts as well.”
With wide eyes, he pointed out some things he liked. I ordered them all. We could take leftovers if need be.
The spread was lavish and the good food kept coming. By dessert, we couldn’t eat another bite. A scoop of ice cream was all either of us had room for.
During dinner, Kyle was open and kind. He talked about himself and asked me lots of questions about my flight and where I grew up.
Ever the talker, I gave him any details he wanted.
“What’s New Mexico like?” he asked.
“In my opinion, you haven’t lived until you’ve seen New Mexico at sunset. The skies are wide open, deep, and endless, perfect for dragon flight, and the people—my people—are generous and kind. I want to take you to meet them someday.”
I was still a bit disappointed he had yet to acknowledge the fated-mate energy between all three of us. Hinting around couldn’t hurt.
He ducked his cute head as if shy then said, “I think I’d like that.”
“I’ll arrange it anytime.”
When we left the restaurant, it was still early. The moon was up, and I instructed our driver to take us to the boardwalk down by Belmont Park and the roller coaster.
We walked around the busy area and played some of the carnival games. He won a small orange stuffed fish and jumped up and down in sheer happiness. Then he handed it to me.
“For me?”
“Yeah.” He grinned sheepishly. “Do you love it?”
“With all my heart.” I held it close to my chest.
We sat on the wall facing the sea. It was gentle tonight, the waves soft and foamy, reflecting a verdant blue sheen in the moonlight.
“This is the last thing I expected to happen,” he said softly.
“This date?”
“No. All of it. Being here was just going to be a quick business trip.”
“No regrets, though?” My heart burned as I waited for an answer, the goldfish toy squeezed between my hands.
“No. Not now. But I do want you to know. I was adopted when I was little, and my pack never actually accepted me.”
“What? Why? Lots of people are adopted, and their families love them.”
“I guess I always felt like an outsider. My parents are kind of emotionally, uh, distant. It’s just the way they are. Judgmental, you know? Like you’re trying your best and waiting for approval, but you never get it. So I always thought something was wrong with me. Maybe I brought that with me into school, and kids sensed it.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Yeah. Bullying sucks.”
“You were bullied?”
“Yeah. Like, that’s common, though, right?”
I wanted to put my arm around him, tell him it was not normal or right. The damage that must have done to him and his wolf—no wonder they didn’t trust me and Griffith when we first met and his wolf refused to shift back to human.
“Didn’t your parents help you?”
