My vote was Tanner.
He wouldn’t want to piss off the only kinkycaterer we’d been able to find.
But if that was what kept them in line, Iwas all for it.
“Let’s go say hi.” He kissed my foreheadand smiled as I huffed, nodding. “I’ll play nice and they’ll be naughty and itwill all be fine.”
Famous last words.
“You’re right.” I forced a relaxed smile onmy face as I unbuckled and got out of the car. I must not have done a very goodjob because he gave me a tender smile that was full of confidence and support.
I was feeling better by the time we got tothe front of Jonah’s house, but I could feel the excitement in the air and thatusually wasn’t good with the guys. Well, it would be fun but not always a goodidea.
Austin’s grin turned evil as he steppedcloser. “We’re going to have to teach you how to make out in a car withouttelling on yourself.”
Rolling my eyes, I refused to back down.“That blast would have been a lot longer if we’d actually been making out. Thatwas just what his dirty talk does.”
Griffin laughed as Austin shot him a heatedglance and Jonah gave a whistle. Tanner was trying to look reasonablyprofessional, but he was fighting off the urge to laugh. “Come on. There’s nopoint in showing him we’re unique right off the bat. Break him in slowly.”
That was what I’d hoped the plan wouldbe…but I wasn’t holding my breath.
Griffin shook his head. “No, don’t hide thecrazy on my account.”
I nudged his shoulder with mine as wewalked into the house. “Don’t encourage them.”
Austin scoffed and waved his hand. “I don’tneed encouragement. I’m fabulous on my own.”
And wasn’t that the truth.
“Be nice or I’ll tell Silas you were meanto me.” I laughed when Austin shot me a glare.
“Meanie.” Then he grinned, glancing backand forth between Griffin and me. “I think he’s going to be a good influence onyou.”
With that ridiculous statement, Austinwaltzed off toward the living room like the rest of us were supposed to trailafter him…which of course we did.
Griffin seemed to understand how funny theyall were because instead of getting offended, he was grinning and enjoyingtheir lively personalities that seemed to break from reality.
And maybe he needed that break…
He seemed to be loving what he was doing,but I thought it had to be hard to change careers. He’d gone from a brotherhoodof sorts to being mostly on his own. Yes, the boys were cute, but I wasn’t sureif they felt like equals to him or like kids he had to take care of.
It was probably a mix of both, but I hopedhe got some of the comradery he probably left behind when he’d left thedepartment. I just hoped our form of friendship wasn’t too weird for him.Observing a scene at a club wasn’t exactly like watching Simon manhandleBradley when he thought the grumpy omega needed a reminder about who was incharge.
I mean, it was hot, but not everyone understoodhow open we were with each other. We’d all been friends for so long that thetraditional boundaries had just fallen away at some point. Matthew had neverminded. He’d thought they were funny and liked that they dragged me out of myshell.
But what would Griffin think once he reallysaw their true colors?
In the past, they’d been well-behaved andhe’d seen them trying their best to look like average omegas. Even at the clubthey were somewhat restrained because behind all the fun it really was a businessventure, but this was where they were comfortable enough to be themselves.
And bless his heart, as soon as we walkedout the back of the house Austin decided to be himself.
The sundress he was wearing was some kindof wrap and with a flick of his wrist at one shoulder the whole damned thingunwound around him and landed, trailing behind him on the ground. It was acompletely red carpet-worthy moment, so Jonah clapped.
Griffin coughed, covering a laugh, but hissmile gave away his feelings on the matter. Okay, maybe he’d be fine. He leanedcloser and dropped his voice. “Am I the only one who thought that should bedone in a movie or something?”
It was my turn to try not to laugh. I shookmy head. “No, I think that would be cool, but I’m pretty sure Silas wouldn’twant him to act. Austin’s too busy as it is.”
Instead of assuming something ridiculous,Griffin nodded. “I remember reading something about his business and charitablework.”
