The sushi restaurant was located down a narrow alleyway at the base of a topsy-turvy Tudor Era building. Directly opposite was the side entrance for the Nock and Ore Pub, its black painted door creaking on its hinges as university students drunkenly ventured in and out.
A good portion of High Enfield, like West Newton, consisted entirely of listed buildings, all of which looked like they were one good gust of wind away from crumbling. Both the restaurant and the pub were extremely busy, if the bodies pressed up against the condensated windows were anything to go by.
Someone bumped his shoulder, knocking him into another person who was smoking outside the pub. “Look out, handsome,” the man said, lazily dragging his eyes up and down Pember’s body. He blew a puff of smoke in his face, which he assumed was meant to be sexy, but was absolutely not.
Pember hated it, and now that he was there, even the sexiest outfit in the world couldn’t make him look forward to hours of loud noise, forced conversation and drunk people. He’d wornhis hair loose, like Maya had told him to, but quickly found it irritating so he clipped it back from his face.
Was there something wrong with him? He was a twenty-four-year-old, single omega for God’s sake, it should have been the best time of his life. Instead, all he wanted to do was go home, cook a meal and eat it with Val, Blake and the dogs.
Sighing, he slipped his phone out of his jeans pocket and tried to think of a convincing excuse to give Maya. The flu? Upset stomach? He’d been attacked by a swarm of angry bees on the way home, and now his face looked like the Elephant Man’s?
You and the gang have fun, though, and take lots of food pics!
Shaking his head, he began typing as he drifted towards the end of the alleyway. ‘Still not feeling it, please apologise to the others for me. See you tomorrow.’
Just as he hit send, a rough hand clapped around his shoulder. “Pember!”
His heart sank as he came face to face with Sal in all her pixie-cut glory. She beamed at him, throwing her arms wide and pulling him into a hug. She wore a stunning, figure-hugging dress that rode high on her neck and had a deep slit, showing off one long, lean thigh. The obnoxious wrist cast did nothing to detract from the look.
“Good to see you again. Fun day at work?” she said.
“Um—”Fuck.“—yeah. Yes, thanks. And you?”
Sal shrugged. Gripping his shoulder, she turned him towards the restaurant. “Oh, you know, same shit different day. Oh, look! Everyone’s already here. Hi, guys!” She waved at someone in the window, and they waved back.
There was awhooshas the chilly air from outside hit the warm atmosphere of the restaurant, and before Pember could object they were already five steps inside. The chatter from theother customers abruptly fell away, and Pember found himself drifting behind Sal.
Thankfully, she made an excellent—and beautiful—human shield as they sidestepped through the tightly packed tables and into a little side-booth. As they sat down, the conversation picked up again and the thrum of the restaurant washed over him.
Maya stood, her dark hair hanging loose around her shoulders. “Pem!” she said, her black blazer shifting as she threw her arms wide. “This is everyone. Everyone, this is Pember!”
Pember exhaled sharply, realising he’d forgotten to breathe.
Someone reached for his hand—a gorgeous blonde-haired omega in a loose-fitting emerald shirt and jeans. “Nice to meet you. I’m Leo,” he said, shaking Pember’s hand.
Leo. He had an easy-going smile, freckled cheeks, and looked completely at ease in his own skin. Pember swallowed, about to pull his own clammy hand out of the shake, when Leo gripped his fingers and pulled him forward. Without missing a beat, Leo’s lips pressed to his knuckles.
“You smell good,” he murmured, eyes drifting shut.
“Leo, rein it in!” Maya slapped the back of his head, making him release Pember with a grunt.
“What? I told you I’m horny as fuck tonight, and you make me eat sushi.”
Pember flushed and Leo winked, sticking out his tongue before taking a seat again. Maya scowled before gesturing to a dark-haired man slumped in the corner. He must have been the same age as Pember, but his drawn face and tight jaw made him look considerably older.
“And this is Ru.”
Ru barely looked up, only giving a small nod in acknowledgement. Maya tutted, then ruffled his short hair.“He’s a little socially awkward, but we’re working on it, right, buddy?”
Ru glanced up, his hazel eyes flitting over Pember’s face. “Y-yeah,” he said, giving Pember a tight-lipped smile. “Nice to meet you.”
There was a moment of awkward silence before Maya clicked her fingers and summoned a waiter. “Mimosas?” she said.
“Hell yeah!” Leo cried, slapping the table, which made Ru flinch.
Pember sidestepped into the booth, finding himself situated opposite Maya and between Sal and Leo. Ru remained in his line of sight next to the window.
They ordered food, chatting back and forth and asking Pembera lotof questions about his life, some of which he answered truthfully, others he didn’t. At one point the conversation moved on to Leo talking about some beta he’d had sex with, which was when Pember started to zone out. He must have been more tired than he realised, because his eyes were growing heavy as he stared out of the window.
