Is he checking out my Instagram account? When I woke up this morning, that post had blown up with hundreds of comments, thousands of likes. My phone practically melted down. I still can’t decide if I should be mortified or thrilled. Part of me wanted to delete it, but… I’ve never had anything go viral before. So, yeah. It’s kind of exciting.
Next to him sits the same guy from yesterday, and he’s just as striking. Long hair still pulled into a high half ponytail, the bottom layers cascading down his back in tousled waves. He’s wearing a flannel shirt rolled at the sleeves, revealing tattooed forearms, and he’s laughing at something on Mason’s phone, his whole body animated.
My chest constricts, something between panic and dread tightening around my ribs like a vise.
What is he doing here? What aretheydoing here?
Please don’t let them see me. Don’t let them recognize me.
I pivot slightly, angling my body away from their corner, and move toward the counter like I have a very important reason to study the menu board with intense focus.
Maybe they won’t notice. After all, they’re too engrossed in whatever they’re looking at. Maybe I can just get my coffee, find Jasper, and slip out before?—
“Well, hello, cutie!”
I freeze.
Nina is leaning across the counter, her chin propped on her hands, a huge smile on her face. Her voice carries.
I feel eyes on me, and I know without looking that Mason and his friend have noticed.
Oh, no. She’s doing that flirty thing where women make their eyes bigger and their voices higher and lean forward so their?—
Focus. You’re a guy. Guys notice these things. It’s fine.
“You must be new in town,” Nina continues, her voice bright and breathy. “I definitely would have remembered you.”
“I, uh—” My voice cracks. I clear my throat and try again, deeper. “Yeah. Just got in this morning.”
“Oh my God!” Her eyes widen even more, and she leans forward on her elbows. The movement makes her cleavage extremely prominent, and I have the distant thought that this must be what guys see all the time. It’s aggressive. “You’re Anita’s brother! You have to be! You look just like her!”
Relief and panic war in my chest. She recognizes the resemblance, which means the disguise isn’t perfect, but she’s also accepting that I’m Ash, which means it’s working.
“Yeah,” I say, trying to inject some masculine confidence into my tone. “That’s me. Ash Monroe.”
“Ash,” she repeats, like she’s testing how my name tastes. Then she laughs, high and bright, at absolutely nothing. Her hand reaches across the counter and lands on my arm, fingers lingering. “It’s so nice to meet you! Anita mentioned you were coming to town. I didn’t realize you’d be this cute.”
I have no idea how to respond to that. Do guys just say “Thank you”? Do they flirt back? Is there a script for this?
“Ash Monroe?” A male voice comes from directly behind me, deep and smooth, and I know without looking who it belongs to. My stomach drops.
I turn slowly, trying to keep my expression neutral, and glance up.
Mason Grey is standing right there, close enough that his scent hits me like a breaking wave.
Warm cinnamon. Baked apple. Fresh forest. I inhaled a hint of it yesterday, but right now, it’s in my face, my senses, and curls through me so quickly the room tilts.
The scent is devastating. Comforting and enticing all at once, the kind of smell that one can easily lose themself in. Something low in my belly clenches with want, and I have to remind myself that I’m supposed to be a Beta. Betas don’t react this strongly. Betas don’t feel their knees go weak from an Alpha’s scent.
Get it together.
“Yes,” I manage, then wince.Too high.I clear my throat. “Yep. That’s me.”
Mason extends his hand, and I shake it, trying to grip firmly without overdoing it. His hand is huge, warm, and the contact sends another jolt through my system.
“I’m Mason Grey. That’s my colleague Dylan Page over at the table.” He nods toward the tattooed man, who’s now watching us with open curiosity. “We’re from Wilde Charters. Jasper said you’d meet us here.”
“Right. Yes. Morning meeting. Coffee and introductions.” I’m nodding like a dashboard bobblehead.Stop nodding.“Good to meet you.”
