“Book,” I confirm.
She sets a beer glass down and reaches under the bar, withdrawing a book I leave here for when I come to read.
I take it with a nod of thanks and head for the back door to the patio. Exiting the dark, sensual bar, I relish the light airiness of the outdoor area. Richard’s bar, Bad Axe, is great for a rowdy good time, but I love Biergarten for a more laid-back feel. I sit in the far back corner and order a mead.
Ten minutes later, the patio door opens, and Dirk sails through, holding it open. Lou exits and gives him a kind smile. Amber eyes flick to me and flash.
Goddess, she’s so fucking pretty.
I stop breathing as Dirk guides her in my direction. Half a dozen empty tables sit between us, but they’re coming to me. Shifting forward, I set my book down.
They’re on a date; it’s clear from the way he has his hand on her back. She’s not snarking at him to remove it like I’ve seen her do in the past. She’s allowing it, although she looks…concerned.
I resist the urge to leap over the table and rip into him. Except, when I think about it, I don’t really want that. I like Dirk. I consider him, well, almost a friend. I respect and admire him.
They stop in front of my table. Lou rubs at the back of one arm, glancing up at the sylph. He smiles at me. “Mind if we join yeh, Wolf?”
Wolf. He always calls me that. And every time he does, my wolf sits up and pays attention. It’s…disconcerting.
I settle back in my seat. I don’t understand what’s happening, but the chance to sit and have a beer with Lou is too compelling for me to say no. Without thinking, I stand and pull out a chair for her. When she steps toward it and sits, I blanch. Fuck. But when I look sheepishly at Dirk, he’s smiling at me.
This is getting stranger by the second. I’m off-kilter. I want to cater to her—even with Dirk right there.
The centaur waiter takes their drink order so I guess they’re planning to stick around for a minute.
We look at each other awkwardly. Well, Lou and I look at one another awkwardly. Dirk stares around the patio, seeming to admire its beauty and completely ignoring the fact that he brought his date to sit at a table with me.
When their beers arrive, he takes a sip and smiles, licking the rim of his glass. Somewhere inside, where I don’t want to focus too hard, something stirs. Interest. Heat. I will my still-there erection to fade.
Lou lifts her hand and nibbles at the edge of her thumb.
Something’s up.
Dirk’s smile grows broader as he sets his drink down and looks at me. “I’m officially pursuing Louanna—because I believe she’s my mate.”
My heart sinks into the pit of my stomach. Why is he telling me? Why even involve me? I’ll admit, I thought he might be aware of my interest, but this is a level of directness I was unprepared for. I sit forward and force a smile. “I’m happy for you both.” When I risk a glance at her, I can’t read the expression on her face.
Dirk leans forward and stares at me. “I’d like to do the same with you, Connall, if yeh’ll allow it.”
Lou’s mouth drops open, but she quickly zips it closed.
A moment passes.
And another.
And another.
I blink and try to process what he just said.
My brain seems unable to put his words into any meaningful order.
I clear my throat, glancing between them. “What do you mean?”
Lou begins fidgeting in her chair.
Dirk’s grin is practically feral at this point.“I want to pursue yeh both formally. I believe yeh to also be my mate, Connall, and I understand if?—”
“I don’t date men,” I say evenly. I’ve never been interested in a man in my entire life.
