Page 158 of Wanted Beta

Arrow’s been in the kitchen all morning, helping Enzo prep and cook our lunch.

I took in a delivery and did some work at the front of the restaurant.

That feels like it was hours ago now. It was probably less than an hour.

Time has been weirdly elastic this morning.

“Oh my God,” Beth says as she moves a few steps farther into the new and improved front area of the restaurant. She stares over the arrangement of couples’ tables, and then looks at the reception desk sitting in its new spot by the left of the door. “This is amazing.”

She looks up at Gio as he gets to the reception desk.

He smiles. “Jack spent all morning putting together tables and chairs and positioning them how he thought you’d like them. I helped him move the reception desk.”

She looks at me, and I manage to shrug, not quite able to keep my eyes on her face.

“This is perfect,” she says. “Thank you.”

“Enzo’s just finishing up in the kitchen,” Gio says. “Who are your friends?”

“Oh. Right.” She looks back and starts to introduce them. “This is Secret. We went to college together, but she’s doing a home study degree now.”

“You’re an Omega,” Gio realizes out loud when he looks at the girl. “And this is one of your mates?”

“Ryan,” the guy barks, with a nod.

“Yes, Ryan’s the first mate I perfumed for, actually,” the girl says.

I look him over. He’s a Beta. And she perfumed for him first?

That’s kind of cool. I didn’t think it was possible, but clearly, I was wrong.

“This is Gio, and Jack,” Beth introduces.

“Nice place you’ve got here,” her friend tells us. “I had no idea there was anything in this building, to be honest.”

“Yeah,” Gio admits. “That’s why we’ve hired Beth. To make the restaurant visible.”

“We’ve already ordered all the outer signage and stuff,” I add quickly. “It’s just gonna take a couple days to get here.”

“Cool,” she murmurs, looking around politely.

She’s not here to inspect the restaurant. She’s here to check us out, to make sure we’re not creeps or weirdos, like that ex of Beth’s. That makes her a good friend.

I’m glad Beth has someone like this in her life.

“When’s lunch?” Ryan asks.

“Soon,” Gio answers. “Come and take a seat.”

“Sure,” Beth says. “I’m just going to speak to Jack for a second first.”

Gio looks at me, and then nods. He leads her friends to the table, leaving me and Beth in the reception area that still feels separate from the rest of the restaurant right now.

“I’m sorry,” I start.

She shakes her head. “No, I’m sorry. You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m the one who took what you said in completely the wrong way.”

“You’re not mad at me?” I ask, a little in shock.

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