He was entirely too sincere. “What did youdo?”
Seth giggled. “Nothing, we just want toshow you a new recipe later.”
My gaze darted back and forth between them.“Alright, but only after everything else is done.”
Matching innocent smiles and enthusiasticnods said I probably should have asked more questions, but I’d figure out whatthey’d done later.
As I headed out of the kitchen, I headedthrough a well-put-together living room that I never actually used and up thestairs to what was actually my personal space. The sprawling old house hadneeded extensive renovations when I’d purchased it, but I’d been able to turn itinto the perfect work and home spaces.
Laughter floated up from the kitchen as Iheaded into my bedroom, making me smile. They were the definition oftroublemakers, but nothing was ever boring when they were around. Most of thetime I thought they were hilarious, but as I listened to their excited chatterechoing through the house, I couldn’t help but wonder what Wade would think ofthem.
Before, I would have assumed he’d have beenpolite but overwhelmed by their wicked teasing, but this new Wade…I wasdefinitely curious about this previously unseen side of the sweet omega.
****
“Remind me totrust my instincts next time.” I couldn’t help the frustration in my voice aswe walked back in the kitchen lugging the boxes of kitchen gear we’d needed.“That was…”
“A lot of money.” Ari spoke up, the voiceof reason this time. “And a promise of a good review if we don’t call thecops.”
“I think I’d rather call the cops.” I stillwasn’t sure I’d made the right call.
“No one is going to believe that omegagrabbed you like that.” Seth was right, but I couldn’t appreciate therationality in that moment. “You should have just taken him out like we did thealpha.”
I rolled my eyes. “Then I’d have been theone to go to jail. Remember, no one will believe the sweet-looking omegawouldn’t take no for an answer.”
I forced myself to take a deep breath andlet out some stress I was holding in. “Are you guys sure you’re okay?”
They nodded in unison, then Ari shrugged.“He’s not the first guy to think he gets to play grabby hands. We’ve gottengood at taking care of ourselves.”
“I still think we should call the cops.” Iwas clearly the more traumatized of the bunch, but I didn’t appreciate beingbacked into a corner.
“They won’t believe us.” Ari leaned againstthe counter. “Trust me. They’ll ask what we did and then look at you likeyou’re the criminal.”
There was a story behind his stoic words,but I didn’t ask. “Fine.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong, though, youknow that, right?” Seth rested his head on his box. “I mean, you should havefollowed the rules, but I understand why you didn’t hit him.”
Considering they’d left the alpha curled upon the floor holding his nuts, I wasn’t sure hit was the right word. “Yes, Irealize I should have followed the rules.”
Fuck. People could be dicks.
We’d gotten our fair share of weirdos sinceI’d opened the business, but this was the first time I’d wanted to decksomeone. “No more accepting jobs if someone makes me nervous.”
They both shrugged. “You couldn’t haveknown and they came from a recommendation. There was no way that sweet old ladywould have thrown us to the wolves if she’d have known.”
That made me feel a little better, but notmuch. “Yeah, I think the fact that she recommended us and knew them clouded myjudgment.”
“We’re not going to focus on this.” Aristood straighter and glared at us. “We did a great job. The food was a hit andwe handed out almost a dozen cards to people who seemed fairly normal. We mademoney and this could get us more jobs. Focus on the positive.”
Oh yeah, there was a story behind thatfuck’empassion.
“You’re right.” I was going to be pissedand overly cautious for a while, but there wasn’t anything I could do. “This isa learning experience and we’re going to focus on the positive.”
“Like that alpha who kept winking at us.”Seth giggled, a dreamy smile on his face. “He was hot but kept his distance. Ithink he was from the club the other night.”
“He looked familiar.” Ari was trying tolook tough, but I could see that he wanted to coo over the sexy alpha too.
“I’m pretty sure we saw him at the club,but he was right not to approach you in that situation. It would have createdawkward questions and drawn too much attention to you.” He’d given me a nod asI’d gone by that had seemed to be an acknowledgment of some sort, but he’d leftthe boys alone.
