64. Chapter Sixty-Four

Chapter Sixty-Four

Beth

I t feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders, knowing they both like me for real. At the same time, I'm crazy-nervous over what that might mean if I actually end up dating them.

All I can do is tell myself it doesn't matter right at this moment.

I'm here to help them fix the issues with the restaurant.

Once that's done, we can talk about dating.

It's a short walk in comfortable silence.

He unlocks the door when we get there, and holds it open for me.

I step inside, to find Arrow sitting on the reception desk, dressed in stylishly worn-out jeans and a shirt that's almost the same amount of threadbare-on-purpose. If I thought he looked like a model before, now he looks even more like he just stepped out of the pages of a magazine.

"You're here!" he exclaims, jumping down and coming toward us. "Finally!"

"Are we late for something?" I ask, as Jack comes inside.

He laughs. "No. Arrow's just ready for lunch. That's all."

"I'm beyond ready," Arrow corrects him.

"Then, go tell Enzo Beth is here so he can take the food out of the oven," Jack suggests as he locks the door behind us.

"I'm on it," Arrow says, sprinting through the dining room toward those big double doors that lead into the kitchen.

"He must really be hungry."

"Well, Enzo decided to cook lasagna for lunch and it's one of his favorite things. We have other options if it's not something you'd prefer to eat …"

"Are you kidding me? My mouth is watering just thinking about it."

He laughs, like I'm joking. I'm not.

It's easy to tell where we're eating since it's the only table that's set for a meal. There's already a jug of water and glasses waiting for us.

Jack pulls my chair out for me. "Sorry, it's hard to switch out of waiter mode when I'm here."

"That's okay," I tell him as I sit down. "I like being looked after like that."

"Then, let me pour your water," he offers, picking up the jug and pouring like an expert into the waiting glass.

He pours for everyone, and then sits down, after hesitating for a second.

"What's up?" I ask.

"Habit," he admits. "I usually bring the food out to the tables."

"Can I let you in on a secret?"

"Let me in on as many as you like."

"I've had a crush on waiters for the longest time, and I only recently realized it's because they seem so attentive. When they're really good at their jobs, I mean."

"I get that," he murmurs. "It's kind of kinky. I have a woman who's into me for my occupation."

A snort of laughter bursts out of me. "It's not like that."

"I think it is," he teases, leaning forward.

My cheeks are starting to warm when the kitchen doors open, and I catch sight of the tall, dark and moody Alpha who cooked the food. He's carrying a tray into the room while Arrow holds the door open for him. He has a real presence to him, something that just grabs my attention and yanks it toward him like I'm on a leash. I can't help the way my gaze wanders over his body, admiring his well-built muscles.

I have to tear my focus away from him just to check if I'm still capable of freewill.

Yep. Apparently, I can look away. I just really don't want to.

"You okay?" Jack asks quietly.

Shit.

Does he know I'm swooning over his Alpha?

Is it that obvious?

Clearly, Jack has noticed something. I'm just not sure I should admit I'm as attracted to Enzo as I am to him and Gio. Are two guys not enough for me? Do I have to be interested in pack members three and four as well? Because let's face it, my head has been just as easily turned by Arrow as it has the rest of them, and he has the additional temptation of his perfume.

"I'm fine." I pick up a napkin and fan my face. "It's kind of warm in here."

"We didn't get aircon," Jack says. "So, I can't really do anything about that, sorry."

"Don't worry, I'll add it to the list."

Enzo and Arrow arrive at my side, and it hits me that Big and Brooding made all of the food that he's currently placing on the table. This guy makes the kind of food I spend half my time visiting every restaurant in the city trying to find. It's all fresh and delicious and made by someone who clearly takes a lot of pride in what he's doing.

I don't think he really likes me, but if he suddenly decided he did …

Well, I don't think I could turn him down.

He's too damn close to perfection.

He takes the seat at my side while Arrow sinks into the chair across from me.

In all honesty, it's probably a good thing that the Omega is sitting the farthest away from me.

At least there's a table's worth of space between me and that gorgeous, heady scent.

I can taste faint traces of it in the air, but it's too soft to make a full impact.

It just makes me want to breathe a little deeper every time.

"Mmm," Arrow murmurs around a bite of garlic bread.

He licks his lips, and his eyes roll up in his head before he swallows.

"Fuck me, this stuff tastes better every time you make it."

"Manners, Arrow," Enzo reminds him, a wry smile reaching his lips. "We have a guest."

"Shit, sorry," Arrow apologizes. "I don't usually … Actually, I do. If you don't like to hear bad words, this is probably not the right place to be."

"I don't think Enzo was talking about your swearing," Jack teases him, giving me another hint that a close bond exists between them. "It's those noises you're making like you're being knotted that are inappropriate."

"Ha ha." Arrow rolls his eyes. "I'm just appreciating my meal. You're the one with the perverted mind for thinking sexy thoughts while I eat."

"I was talking about the swearing," Enzo confirms.

"I've been known to use a few curse words," I admit. "It really doesn't bother me."

The moaning, on the other hand … Well, Jack isn't wrong about how it sounds.

I catch a heated stare between Arrow and Jack, and I'm sure now that there's definitely a vibe there. If they're not mates, they're a little closer than just friends.

I'll need to know exactly what their relationship is with each other if I'm going to date Jack, but that's a problem for future Beth.

This Beth has more than enough on her plate. Metaphorically speaking.

Right now, the in-this-moment Beth is staring at an entirely, literally, empty one.

Enzo picks it up a second later and uses a serving spoon to fill it from the food on the tray.

He puts it back down in front of me filled, and then he picks up his own, which he fills and swaps with Jack's empty one.

Everything looks and smells incredible. I take a small bite and I have a hard time avoiding the urge to let out a groan. It's so freaking good. I'm going to eat every last bite, from the pasta to the potatoes to the salad and the bread … Everything is getting demolished.

Arrow openly moans with his first few bites.

Then he shakes his head and takes a long drink from his glass of water.

Jack looks at me, and lowers his voice to say, "Better get used to the sexy moaning. He does it every time."

It turns out, he's not lying.

Arrow's thoroughly enjoying his food, and everyone at the table knows just how much he's loving every bite. I don't think he's doing it on purpose. He can't help it, and I don't blame him.

The food is spectacular. I'd be moaning a little eating it, too, if I wasn't so self-conscious around these guys. As it is, I'm paying more attention to every movement to make sure I don't embarrass myself in front of three way hotter than average guys.

It was so much easier to go on dates with Betas I wasn't really into.

At least because I could eat what I wanted, and I wasn't the slightest bit worried about spilling stuff or looking like a hamster because I put way more in my mouth than I should have.

Of course, those dates went south for other reasons.

And if I'm honest I never want to get stuck in one of those painfully weird situations again.

This is a completely different kind of awkward.

It's for something that might actually be worth it.

Time will tell, I guess.