Page 29 of Wanted Beta

“So, lunch?”

“Lunch it is.”

Chapter Twelve

Arrow

Ipretend not to be paying attention when Enzo comes out of the kitchen, but I hear every word of their strained, nothing of a conversation. The acoustics of one big empty room are kind of impossible to ignore. The partition wall that separates the reception and takeaway pick up area from the dining room is functional but thin.

I’ve studied the menu from back to front what feels like a million times already, but I read it over again while I stand behind the desk, eyes glazing over.

The only thing I hate more than hearing my Alphas argue is when they barely speak to each other like this. It tells me they don’t have the strength to argue, and that means things are really bad.

I know Enzo’s worried about Gio’s obsession with that app.

Something’s definitely going on with him.

He’s not ready to talk about it.

Whatever it is.

Giovanni Esposito is a lone wolf kind of guy. He grew up with a mom who had issues, and he managed not to end up with those same issues, but I think dealing with her problems cut him off from the outside world and made him a little bit too self-reliant.

He gets stuck inside his own head sometimes, and he won’t talk about what’s going on until he’s worked out for himself to how fix the problem, whatever it turns out to be.

Enzo would rather talk things out, so of course things can get a little strained sometimes.

When Gio walks past me, only stopping to throw me the barest hint of a smile before he steps out into the city, I know things are more than just strained.

With no kiss goodbye, no sweet words murmured in thickly accented Italian, and no promise of good things coming to me later, I can safely assume there’s a real problem, and it’s nowhere close to being resolved.

Standing here behind the front desk, gazing out of the dark glass of the windows, watching people pass us by in their droves, I can understand where the tension is coming from.

It almost feels as if the restaurant doesn’t exist.

Like we’re stuck behind an invisible shield.

My heart hurts for Enzo. This was his big dream.

He’s an amazing chef and he’s put so much into this place.

None of the rest of us have something we’re chasing like that.

We all decided this was what we wanted, and we put the work in to help make it happen.

Seeing our efforts come to nothing is depressing enough, without feeling like everyone’s already starting to give up. The excitement and enthusiasm we had on opening night was thrilling, but it faded quickly when we realized the trickle of customers wasn’t turning into a stream.

Jack has tried to stay upbeat, and he’s helped to keep me stable while our Alphas’ moods have been sinking lower.

It’s strange to think there was a time when I thought Gio and Enzo were it for me.

I can’t imagine not having Jack in my life now that he’s here.

Yet, even with him, my perfume’s been low lately.

It feels like it’s fading.

I’ve been having bad dreams about losing what makes me an Omega.

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