Page 19 of Finlay
I’d stayed outside Chester’s house the entire night, staring at the window where the final light had gone out. I didn’t understand it, but my wolf wouldn’t move. He kept me there, guarding Chester, until the sun was peeking over the horizon.
He’d made me go back the next night.
And the next.
Today would be the end of it. Unless Chester gave me a clear sign of interest, I’d be backing all the way off. I didn’t care if my wolf liked it or not. It wasn’t right to obsess over a man I didn’t know and who didn’t want my attention.
I’d spent countless human lifetimes in love with someone who’d never be mine. I wasn’t about to risk it happening again.
Taking a deep breath and forcing my shoulders to relax, I pushed open the door to Thistle Do Nicely. The same scent from before hit me, and I realised it wasn’t the shop. It was Chester. Chester’s scent.
My wolf whined.No, we’re not licking it from his skin.We’ll never know if he tastes as delicious as he smells. Be-fucking-have.
There was another scent here too. It was both sharp and sweet. Gardenias and…coffee?
The scent thickened as footsteps sounded. My smile slipped off my face as an unfamiliar man stepped around the corner.
“Why hello there.” He fluttered long eyelashes at me, leaning against the counter in a way I thought was meant to be provocative. His apron bore the shop’s logo, and if I had to guess, he was the employee Chester had mentioned. The talented but perpetually late one. “How can I help you, handsome?”
My lips twitched. See, Icouldtell the difference between attraction and interest. This bloke was definitely interested, but sadly, I was not. Even if I was open to the idea, he wasn’t at all my type. His petite figure and pouty lips were beautiful, but not what I was after.
His boss, on the other hand…I forced a polite smile. “Hi, I’ve come to collect an order. Is Chester here?”
There was that quiet curse again, just like the first time, followed by rapid footsteps.
I drew closer to the counter, my pulse picking up. I had to swallow a couple of times because my mouth was so dry. What the fuck was wrong with me? Was I coming down with something?
That was when Chester appeared, and everything else faded away. All it took was one glance at his shy smile and I was gone.
He’s so handsome.
“Finn.” He stepped around the counter, approaching me. His arms rose as though he was about to hug me, and I swear, my heart stopped dead in my chest. But he caughthimself before he reached me, lowering one hand while extending the other. “Thank you for coming in. I hope your order is up to your satisfaction.”
I wrapped my hand around his and shook it. As I did, I tried to pretend the heat of his skin wasn’t warming something long dead inside me. “I’m sure it’s wonderful.”
Chester blushed, and I couldn’t stop myself from staring. Did he know how captivating he was? He must, right? A man like him probably had more admirers than flowers.
His hand was still in mine, the two of us staring at each other. For a fraction of a second, I allowed myself to hope. To believe there was a spark of interest in Chester’s eyes. All I needed was the tiniest fucking sign, and it’d be on. I’d chase him the way my wolf demanded.
By which I meant I’d dote on him. Woo him.Treat him exactly how a rose like Chester deserved.
That spark was extinguished almost immediately by Chester’s assistant. “Okay, I have no idea what’s going on, but wow, am I here for it. Chester, how long have you been keeping this gorgeous specimen secret for?”
Chester shut down before my eyes. He yanked his hand from mine and wiped it on his apron. I tried not to feel the sting of rejection. “Reid, don’t be inappropriate. Finn here is a customer. He’s here to collect order two-seven-two. Can you go back out and get it please?”
Reid grumbled under his breath about Chester being no fun but did as his boss asked. Meanwhile, said boss turned to me with a grimace. “Sorry about Reid. We’re working on his customer service skills.”
That was right, I was a customer to Chester. Just a customer. I needed to remember that. “It’s nae bother. He reminds me a bit of Logan.”
His head tilted. “Who’s Logan?”
I paused, trying to think how to explain my relationship with him. Pack life meant our bonds went deeper than that of ordinary friendship. He wasn’t technically my brother, but he may as well have been.
I must’ve paused too long because Chester flushed and began to babble. “Sorry, ignore me. Horribly inappropriate question. You don’t need to tell me who he is. You’re a customer and?—”
“It’s fine,” I said quietly, offering him a smile to show I really didn’t mind. “Logan’s like family to me.”
“Oh.” Chester turned on his heel sharply, but not before I caught the hint of a smile on his lips. Had he been jealous? Or was that just wishful thinking? “I see. Like I said, totally inappropriate of me to ask.”
