Page 157 of Wanted Beta

She laughs, and I join in. It feels good to joke about it.

Getting so tense yesterday was awful.

I feel a little sick about that when I picture Jack’s shocked expression now.

He didn’t understand my reaction, and I couldn’t explain it. I was too mad to stick around.

I owe him an apology, for sure.

“This is it,” I point out when it’s straight ahead.

“What is?” Secret asks, looking around.

“This,” I tell her, moving ahead and trying the door.

It’s unlocked. They knew I was coming, so it’s not a big surprise.

“You’re kidding,” Secret says, looking around. “This place is a restaurant?”

“Uh huh. It might not look like it now but come back in a week. We’re redecorating.”

She smiles at me. “You certainly sound like you think these guys are yours.”

Mine? Huh. I like the sound of that.

Maybe if I don’t think too far ahead, I might be ready to take a chance.

I guess I’ll find out soon enough. I reach back for Secret’s hand.

“Come in and meet Pack Esposito.”

Chapter Seventy-Five

Jack

Ipace around the dining room while we wait for Beth to show up with her friends. Some part of me is worried that she’s not going to show. That would be the worst. I need to see her, to know she’s okay after I upset her yesterday.

That’s priority number one.

My second priority is tracking her ex down to go in for round two. This time, he’ll be the one bleeding on the ground.

I already didn’t like him, and now, knowing he’s the reason that Beth has bad feelings about fated mates, I really fucking hate him.

Men who hurt women to have their own selfish needs fulfilled make me sick.

Knowing he hurt Beth, well, there’s no way in hell he’s getting away with that.

I hear the front door opening, and the sound of female voices follow.

I quit pacing, and Gio gets up from our table.

We’re using a bigger one today, because we have extra guests.

It feels weird that we’re not going to be sitting in our usual seats.

“I’ll go,” Gio tells me, making sure I know it’s a statement, not a question, by his tone.

He knows I’m anxious as fuck. I’d probably throw up on her shoes if I went over there and tried to talk to her right now. I follow along behind Gio anyway, staying close.

---