“Yeah, it’s fine. Seriously,” I say, covering my lips as I talk through a mouthful of ranched-up broccoli.
“In fact, what is it?” I ask.
Renee’s eyes round. “You’re not going to…are you?”
“No, not me.” I wave the idea away. “If it’s turkey or ham, Oscar would love a little piece. He’s not a fan of chicken or beef though.”
Drew’s face lights up as he says, “Turkey. Can I give it to him?”
“Go for it.” I chuckle as I lift Oscar’s cage onto the table.
Oscar rams his face against the bars, mouth open in a needy wail as he expects the treat. We all laugh, and even Bastian huffs what could be a laugh.
We chat about the ramp progress and the next projects I want to take on. My heart swells with gratitude for Renee and Drew, and the luck that the universe bestowed upon me for taking a huge chance.
This is where I’m supposed to be.
This is my future.
Bastian’s hand falls to my leg under the table and I look up at him. He smiles and I smile back.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he murmurs.
“Me too,” I whisper back.
“You two are so cute,” Renee says, cupping her cheeks as she stares at us in wonder. “How long have you been dating?”
“Uuuuh—”
“This is our second date,” Bastian says.
Drew’s eyes narrow. “Do y’all just not go out or did you just meet?”
“We just recently met,” I say.
“And you’re already living together?” he probes and my heart rate skyrockets.
“Babe, cut it out,” Renee cuts in. “You’re making them uncomfortable. And who cares if they moved fast. They’re obviously happy.”
“We’re not really moving anywhere…I mean that, um, it’s just that we’re kinda more like friends?” My mouth is dry, but it doesn’t stop it from running away without my brain. “What I mean is that we live together, but it’s not really like that. He’s really hot and I’m just his friend.”
Renee’s eyebrows shoot straight up and she looks at Bastian, then follows the line of his arm down to where it rests on my leg under the table.
My cheeks burn. “Yeah, so, yep. That’s what’s going on.”
“Uh huh,” she says. “Okay.”
A man appears from around the corner of the hotel, walking toward us.
“Shit,” Renee says as she dusts off her hands and gets up from the table. “Be right back.”
She jogs toward him. “Hi there! Need to check in?”
Bastian’s grip tightens on my leg, his claws pricking my thigh. I yelp in surprise and he releases me immediately.
“I must go,” he whispers.
His brow is pinched, eyes narrowed on the man approaching Renee.
