Chapter Fifteen

When the knock came, my sisters ran into the bathroom and closed the door almost all the way.

"I can see you peeking out," I whispered. "Why don't you just stay out here and say hi?"

"Because we don't want to look like a nosy family, but we do want to see their reaction to your transformation," Ava hissed. "Answer the door."

I felt like Cinderella if her mean ugly stepsisters were beautiful and nice and watched her on her way to the ball. If that made any sense, and I didn't think it did. But there was no way to get them out, and they didn't want to swarm my dates, so peeking from the bathroom it was. And I couldn't say I didn't like the backup.

In case my "transformation" was too much for them. They'd only seen the compound version of Cleo. And maybe that was what they liked best. But it was too late to change now, and into what? Dirty jeans?

"Go!" I wasn't sure which of them said it, but whichever sister was right. How long did I expect three males to stand in the hallway and wait for me to take notice? I stood as straight as possible, inhaled deeply, and let the breath out before taking the few steps to the door and twisting the handle.

Jude, Miles, and Pax were there, all looking very handsome in what the TV show girls would probably have called dressy casual. Jude wore black jeans so tight they stole my breath, a black T-shirt tucked into them showing how trim his waist was, the sleeves straining around his biceps. Miles also wore jeans, but a little looser, and somehow all that did was emphasize his strong thighs, and his white button-down was unbuttoned just one button more than usual, so sexy. And Pax? Who so rarely spoke up for himself… He still wore the beanie, but it didn't matter at all.

"I'm all ready." I gave a wave behind my back to my prep-team. "You all look very nice." And then I noticed none of them had moved. Oh hell. They did prefer the old me. "Do I look okay?"

I'd fought a little when Kiki held up the leather outfit in "basic black." And then really protested when they'd gotten me to try it on. The bra top covered very few of my assets, and the pants covered them but left nothing to the imagination. They'd convinced me that the little jacket I could wear over it made it all perfectly respectable, but I wasn't sure.

And to be honest, when they dragged me back in front of the mirror, it did seem to go with the smooth hair, smoky eyes, and ruby lips. But apparently I'd goofed because my dinner companions were playing statues.

"Want me to change?"

I heard a sharp inhale from behind me and hoped my sisters weren't about to pour out of the bathroom to go after the guys for not properly appreciating all their hard work. But just then, the trio in the hallway ended their staring contest.

"Never change," Pax said, quietly.

I wasn't sure where to go with that, but rather than try, I grabbed the jacket and my purse and moved out into the hallway to join the three males. I wasn't nearly as nervous as I'd expected, even if I was made up and dressed in a way unfamiliar to me. Miles kept me laughing as we went down in the scary elevator, and Jude took my arm to walk me outside to where a car waited. A very nice car with a back seat where all four of us somehow managed to fit. It was tight, and I had a feeling someone didn't have a seat belt, but by the time the vehicle pulled away from the curb, I was seated on Jude's lap, part of the fitting thing, and a belt definitely was over me.

"So, where are we going?" I asked after we'd been moving for a few minutes. Having all of them so close, in fact touching me at the same time was disconcerting. And stimulating. And had my wolf wanting to come out and roll around on all their laps. The other animals agreed. "Is it far?"

"No, we didn't want to waste the whole evening driving around, especially on a curfew night." Miles shifted and my thigh brushed his. "We didn't have a curfew until recently, but your sisters can probably tell you about all the things that happened to make the administration more careful with the student body."

My sisters knew? I would ask them, but for now, I wanted to stay in the moment anyway. "So where is this close place?"

"It's an Argentinian steak house," Miles answered. "Have you been to one before?"

I had barely heard of Argentina because Angie was not great at geography. But there was no need to show that much of my ignorance. I could honestly reply, "No, I haven't. What makes them special?"

When we pulled up in front of the restaurant, my dates were still waxing enthusiastic about all the things that made the food there great, but I was still not prepared for how amazing it was. The steaks were marinated then cooked over an open fire, and the smell was incredible when we walked in the door.

I was amazed at how comfortable I was with these three, considering my lack of experience in the dating world. While our food was grilled right in front of us, they entertained me with stories about the school and their lives at home. It was a window into worlds I wanted to hear more about, and I enjoyed the conversation as much as the food.

Which was the best I'd ever eaten.

And I ate way too much of it, joking that I was going to bust right out of the leather pants lent to me by my sisters. We rode home in the same car, so they must have booked it for the whole evening. Back at school, they escorted me to my door, each kissing me on the lips sweetly then waiting while I unlocked my door.

"Are your sisters still hiding in the bathroom?" Pax asked.

I was so shocked, I burst into laughter. "They were trying to be so sneaky after helping me get ready. All of this"—I waved at myself from head to toe—"is their work."

"You are beautiful always," he said. "But it's nice to see you getting to spend time with them. It's hard to believe you were kept apart all your lives."

I felt the same way.