The only exception to that was Wade.
Dakota had been attempting to drag Wade outwith us occasionally, and when we didn’t go anywhere, Wade would hang out withus at Dakota’s place. He was still worried that he was intruding, but we wereslowly making sure he understood that it was a ridiculous idea.
Once I actually left, the drive fromRowan’s to the club wasn’t bad, but getting out took some time because therewas always one more thing we had to talk about. Rowan had confessed last weekthat he was glad Dakota wasn’t the jealous type and hadn’t objected to ourfriendship.
I was too.
But so far things had been going well andwe’d even had dinner a few times together. Of course, that had Dakotacomplaining that I was turning him into an extrovert who did nothing but havedinner with people. His complaints had been mostly for show, though, becausehe’d been the one to ask Rowan when he wanted to get together again.
I couldn’t help but laugh as I pulled intothe parking lot and saw Dakota and his friends just standing around talkingwith the alphas waiting by the door. From the number of cars by the building,the prospective employees were all inside, probably wondering where their potentialemployers were.
Parking and turning off the car, I climbedout and headed over. Dakota gave me a distracted smile, so as I walked up, Iwrapped my arms around him and pulled him against my chest. “What’s up?”
“Nothing.” But he said it entirely toosincerely for me to believe it.
“Try again.” Kissing his neck, I winked atAustin who giggled.
Dakota sighed. “Don’t distract him.”
“I’m perfectly innocent. I have no ideawhat you’re talking about.” The giggles that came from our audience said theydidn’t believe it any more than Dakota did.
“Really.” Dakota scoffed. “But honestly,we’re fine.”
I glanced over at Wade who I knew would beguaranteed to spill the beans.
Yep.
“It just felt a little too real for a moment.”He shrugged. “I know it’s silly, but—”
I shook my head as I interrupted. “No, it’sperfectly reasonable. The party was the first step into making it real, butthis is big. This is employees and having to explain your vision to someoneelse. I get it.”
Hugging Dakota tight, I smiled at the restof the group. “But you guys had most of them eating out of your hands at theparty and they want to be a part of this. So just go in and see who feels rightwith the group and who you think will fit in with the vision you have for theclub.”
Dakota’s fingers stroked my hand as henodded. “Yes, we’re going to get to know them and then see how they fit. Justlike characters.”
I couldn’t hide my smile, but he was right.“Yes, exactly. Find out if they belong in the same book or not.”
Being able to see them as characters seemedto tickle Dakota because he was suddenly charged and ready to head in. Ofcourse, that only lasted long enough for them to get in the door, but luckilyTanner’s and Austin’s normally commanding personalities came powering to therescue.
As they went over to introduce themselvesto the group of people who were randomly milling around, I turned to Silas whoI’d gotten to know the best. “Why were you just watching?”
He shrugged. “We were told not to hover anddrive them crazy.”
I rolled my eyes. “They like it when youdrive them crazy.”
Silas nodded. “That’s what I said, but Igot outvoted. Evidently, we’re not supposed to jump in on work stuff.”
“This isn’t really work stuff, though.” Ilooked around the room at the variety of people who were all trying to have theconfidence to find what they wanted in their personal life. “This is anextension of who they are. That’s different.”
“That’s the last time I’m going to playnice.” Then the gruff man grinned. “But if I get shit for it, I’m going to telleveryone it was your idea.”
Laughing quietly, I nodded. “Deal.”
Okay, maybe Rowan had been right after all.
Not that I was going to confess that.
As we watched everyone start to relax andchat, I noticed a man standing silently at the door. “Looks like we’ve eitherpicked up a stray or a straggler.”
