8. Gage

After dropping off Cedric, I turned right and right again and right a third time until I found myself going past the hotel. I ducked my head and looked at the two-story building, wondering which room was his.

What are you doing?

Checking to make sure he got back to his room. As if that would be a problem in Riverford in bright daylight on a busy street, or busy for this small town, and even that was too much for me.

So why was I here and not going straight home? While Mr. Lucas did give me yummy treats and coffee yesterday, I did need flour to bake bread and also dried beans. Plus, like my beast, I had a sweet tooth, and I planned on buying a packet of hard candy that would last ages.

I found a parking space half a block from the grocery store. But I was in a good mood and didn't mind the short walk. Normally I scurried from car to store and back. I was looking presentable, having put on my best jeans and shirt again this morning in Cedric's honor. But as I wandered along the sidewalk, I passed a café, the most popular one in town. I'd had their chocolate cake once, but it wasn't as good as Mrs. Ambrose's.

Taking my eye off the coffee shop, I looked ahead and hesitated. Cedric was coming toward me, a canvas bag over one arm while talking on the phone. He can't have been pleased with whoever he was talking to because he raised his voice.

I wasn't good in social situations, so I didn't know if I should run the other way or stand my ground, wave at him and not speak, or just walk past him as if nothing had happened.

But he caught sight of me, and he rested the phone on his chest. "Hi."

"Hello."

A tinny voice echoed from the phone. "Who's that? Who are you talking to, Cedric?" I disliked the man's aggressive tone.

"A friend. Goodbye, Adrian." He ended the call and smiled up at me.

Adrian. Adrian. Who was Adrian to Cedric?

We stood awkwardly facing one another. Being silent together was easy in the forest but not so much in town. People expected you to talk.

"I was going to get more coffee and something to eat." He pointed to the coffee shop.

I nodded and bit the inside of my cheek to distract me from not knowing what to say.

"Would you like to join me?"

For the first time I noted how Cedric's eyes crinkled when he smiled. His dark blue eyes. I could get lost in them.

Awww! You're smitten.

Am not.

"As friends."

My belly grumbled, and he laughed. "Do I have my answer?"

I returned his grin and agreed. With money from Mr. Lucas and what Reed was paying me to teach Cedric, I could afford a drink and piece of cake or a sandwich.

"Yes."

We walked in and chose a table by the window. The coffee menu confused me with so many choices, but I loved a cappuccino. The froth was as good as a dessert.

Cedric ordered a wrap, and I said I'd have the same. We both stared at the river.

"If water has a smell, I can smell it. It's fresh and tingly." He fiddled with the pepper grinder. "How'd I do?"

"There's no right or wrong answer because people perceive smells differently."

"Oh no, I was hoping to get a passing grade."

I got that he was joking. It was cute. That was a word I rarely used.

"It's interesting how different things look when you take note of their scents and sounds. I can't thank you enough for this morning."

"Don't thank me yet until you see what you have to do tomorrow."

His eyes went wide.

"Gotcha!" I attempted a laugh, and it came out more like a snort, but after the surprise etched on his face faded, Cedric rewarded me with a grin and his eyes did the crinkly thing.

That's adorable. My beast was entranced, and I pictured him sitting by a window watching Cedric go about his day.

Cute. I wouldn't go so far as to say adorable.

Our food arrived, and I peered inside my wrap.

"Have you ever eaten a wrap?" Cedric picked up half of his and took a bite.

Fury bubbled up inside me. Not for no reason. There was a reason, but I shouldn't have been so angry. I could have said, "Yes," and we'd talked about something else.

"Of course I have. Do you think I'm some backwoods alpha who doesn't know how to… use a knife and fork? I lived in a city for years with my late parents."

As soon as I said the words, I waved my hands in the air, trying to take them back, to stuff them into my mouth and swallow them. Cedric froze, and the light faded from his eyes. He blinked and looked down at his lap.

Damn, I was a horrible person, and I was a backwoods guy, but I'd had a life before.

I reached out to touch him, but both his hands were in his lap. His shoulders trembled. I considered going to his side of the table and hugging him but stayed where I was.

"Cedric, forgive me, please. What I said was wrong."

He sniffed and raised his head, his long eyelashes sprinkled with tears. He took a tissue from his bag and wiped his nose. "No, I shouldn't have assumed you didn't know. I was wrong too."

He put a hand on the edge of the table, and my fingers brushed over it. His skin was so soft, unlike mine, hard and callused. Cedric attempted a smile, and we sat, again in silence, as the warmth from his skin blended with mine.

"We're both sorry, so everything that was said before that is canceled. Agreed?" He crooked a finger at me. This time I did know what he was doing, so he took my hand and wrapped my pinkie around his. "You agree too. Great. Now let's eat."

He gave me my hand back, but I didn't want it. I wanted him to hold it. But not knowing what to do with it, I grabbed my wrap and tore off a chunk. Oops. That was my backwoods impression.

I chewed and took another dainty bite. But what did it matter if my table manners were nonexistent? Considering the state of the world and what humans did to it and to one another, talking with my mouth full or chewing loudly wasn't even a blip.

I concentrated on the flavors on my tongue. "This is delicious."

"Mmmm." Cedric ate slowly. His parents would be proud of his table manners. Mine on the other hand? They'd never given a hoot about that sort of thing.

I devoured my wrap, wishing I could order another. I wavered between staying hungry or wondering what Cedric would think of me if I got a second one. Damn, I'd fallen into the trap again of worrying what people thought, so I ordered and remembered to ask Cedric if he wanted one.

He thanked me but refused, saying he was glad I enjoyed the meal. "While I'm not a foodie, Riverford has surprised me with its food offerings."

"Are you considering staying?"

"It's a lot to think about, but Reed and Harry, who'd I'd be working with, are lovely, and I've known Reed for years."

A pang of disappointment niggled at me as I wished he'd mentioned me and how nice it was to have made a new friend. But I was being ridiculous. Yesterday, I'd terrified him, and just because we were sharing a meal today didn't mean we were besties.

Besties?My beast was bored with the table manners thoughts and us talking about food and the townspeople.

As if he'd read my thoughts, Cedric continued. "And despite our unfortunate beginning, Mr. Lucas is growing on me, and of course there's Mrs. Ambrose and Greg…"

Not me. Everyone but me. I scrunched my paper napkin into a ball.

"And then there's someone whose company I'm enjoying. He has so much to teach me and others, but I worry I'll say the wrong thing. I find myself holding my breath around him in case I insult him, which I have done more than once."

Ouch! That was me, but I appreciated his honesty. But I had to make sure that was me and not the guy on the phone.

"Me?" I pointed to my nose.

"Yeah." He continued by saying he was ignoring the universe's directive that we were mates and decided to go a different path and be friends. "If I accept this job, I don't want us to be awkward around one another."

He studied me through those long eyelashes, and I got a sudden urge to kiss him. Even more disconcerting was my cock. It reacted and swelled, and I thanked whoever it was at the café for putting cloths on the table because ours covered my arousal.

"Whatever you decide, I'm sure we can be friends."

But all of a sudden, I wanted more. What now?