Page 108 of Wanted Beta

“The special is the carbonara. It’s the best you’ll ever taste.”

I sit down across from Beth, and she raises her eyebrows at me.

“He’s not exaggerating. Bring us the starter version of that while we decide.”

Jack nods. “Wine, or …”

“Water’s good with me,” Beth says quickly. “Not a wine drinker.”

“Water for me too, thanks,” I tell him.

He leaves me a menu despite the fact I know everything that’s on it.

Beth opens hers, and her eyes gleam as she scans the page. “It all sounds amazing.”

“It is. Enzo makes the pasta from scratch. He makes the pizza dough. Everything’s fresh.”

“Stop, you’re making my mouth water,” she jokes. “I’m so hungry now.”

“Well, order anything you like. Free meals are part of the consultant’s perks.”

She smiles and puts down the menu. “You guys don’t need to pay me to help you out, you know. Great restaurants are so hard to find. I’d hate it if you closed just because no one knows you exist.”

“Good advice is worth its weight in gold. You’ll be paid for helping us get things right. That’s only fair.”

“Well, it’s your money, I guess,” she says, shrugging as she picks her menu back up.

I have to admit, Jack was the one with the million-dollar idea here.

He’s the one who offered her a job based on a comment she made.

If it wasn’t for him, I’m not sure it would have been this easy to see her again.

“Though, I’m keeping Pinkie hostage until the job is done, just FYI.”

She looks up and laughs. “What?”

“Your little fluffy friend. She’s safe and well upstairs. But she won’t be released until the end of the week.”

“Oh, my hedgehog.” She nods. “Okay, well you’d better take good care of the little guy. I won’t be happy if I get him back and he’s traumatised.”

I smile. “Oh, it’s a boy. I didn’t know.”

“Well, you didn’t ask, but that’s okay. I forgive you.”

And just like that any hint of nervous energy is gone.

It feels like a date, and the ice has been broken.

We’re both interested, available and ready to dive in with both feet.

Except, she doesn’t know this is something bigger and better than mutual attraction.

She can’t know. My instincts are unshakable on that.

She’s not ready, even if it really feels like she is.

Jack comes back with a pitcher of ice-cold water and pours us both a glass.

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