Chapter 5
Wade
“You’re being ridiculous. It’s just dinner.I don’t need to change clothes.” Leaving my bedroom seemed to be the best wayto keep him from dragging my clothes off, so I headed toward the living room.
“But really, I know you have sexier outfitsthan this.” Austin trailed after me, gesturing wildly. “He’s a sexy eligiblealpha Dom and you’re dressed worse than my lawn guy.”
I rolled my eyes. “Your lawn guy is alwaysnearly naked.”
They seemed to have an interestingrelationship. Eventually one of the paparazzi was going to get wind of it andthey’d end up plastered over the front page, but for now it was beingignored…probably because the neighbors liked watching too.
“But still, he’s attractive andwell-groomed.” Austin’s tone said he honestly believed what he was saying,which made it all the stranger.
“I’m not showing up to Griffin’s dressedlike your lawn guy.” I took a deep breath and looked down at my outfit. Thejeans were fine, but maybe they were a bit baggy, and my shirt was a cleanbutton-down that was pressed.
Okay, maybe I looked a bit…comfortable…
“You look like you should be taking threekids to a soccer game…not even something cool like dance.”
If he ever had kids, he was going to pushthem right to the limit.
“I’ll give you that…but I’d wear this toyour house or out to dinner and you wouldn’t complain.” I really didn’t see thepoint.
He rolled his eyes. “You’re not trying tosleep with me.”
“Good grief. I’m not trying to sleep withanyone.” I thought I was pretty clear, but his groan and dramatic flop on mycouch said I’d missed something.
“The fact that you said that just breaks mydirty little heart.”
I might have broken his heart, but hislogic had fled a long time ago. “What are you talking about?”
He gave me a serious expression, sitting upand straightening like he was giving a presentation to the board. “Let’s trythis again.”
Walking over, I sat down in a chair, tryingnot to seem too pained. I hated these lectures no matter what they were about,but giving in and letting him ramble was the best way to get them over quickly.“Okay.”
“So.” He took a breath and seemed to betrying to gather his thoughts. “You said you liked the scene at the club,correct?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
His smile indicated he was pleased with ourprogress, but I was still confused. “You’ve also said you wanted to startdating again, not rushing into anything, but seeing who you meet, right?”
Kind of.
Saying it was still weird, but I nodded.“Yes.”
Matthew wasn’t coming back no matter howmuch I talked to him, and he’d hate for me to be alone forever.
“Then why are you deliberately chasing awayan eligible alpha Dom who seems to be a good guy and is clearly interested inyou?” Austin leaned forward, waiting as I just stared at him. “Well?”
“I honestly don’t know what to say.” Ithought for a moment as what he said registered. How had Austin read thesituation so wrong? “He’s not interested in me. He’s known me for years. We’rejust friends.”
Austin groaned. “Yes, he knew you when youwere married and he’s been your friend. He liked Matthew and he always behavedhimself. But that doesn’t mean he sees you as some kind of asexualgender-neutral person.”
When I just shook my head, he sighed.
“I saw his face.” Austin took a deepbreath. “You didn’t see his face when you were getting flogged. It was like hewas seeing the most beautiful but also the most painful thing in the world. Heloved seeing you happy like that, but it was killing him to know that you’dfound someone again. Fuck. His face when he realized you weren’t involved withDakota and Tristan…”
Really?
