Page 38 of Pack Plus Three

“Like I care about a little bit of grease. Dirty this car up all you want. I'll just get it detailed next week.” A car was for living in, not for keeping, like a monument that belonged in a museum. “The heated seat is helping your back, isn't it? Surely, it would be nicer to stay in the car where you can keep it on and relax,” I reasoned.

She thought for a moment, chewing on that lip, and I resisted the urge to lean forward and free it. “If you’re sure, I think I would rather stay in the car.” Her voice was quiet.

“We can do that! How do you like your burger?”

Twenty minutes later, we were sitting in the parking lot, food spread out on the dashboard in front of us.

I may have gone overboard, but I wanted Daisy to have more options than just the cheeseburger, fries, and strawberry shake she had ordered. There were onion rings, mozzarella sticks, some sort of peanut butter burger that fascinated me, and sweet potato fries.

“Who’s going to try the peanut butter one first?” I laughed, taking in the spread.

“Whoever invented that burger had to be pregnant. While peanut butter and raspberry jelly is an amazing combination, only a pregnant woman could have come up with the idea of adding it to a burger.”

“What’s been your weirdest craving?” I asked, grabbing the onion rings and offering her one before taking one for myself.

Daisy thought for a moment, slowing chewing on the fried onion. “The weirdest one is, hands down, my hand soap,” she said casually.

“Wait, hand soap?”

“Yep. I have one that smells delicious, like floral and sweet. I know I can’t eat soap, but my body seems to want that soap and only that!”

“Dear god, is that normal?”

“It is.” She nodded. “Women have weird cravings all the time. There are some who have serious cravings for coal, like actual for-a-fireplace coal. Pregnancy hormones are no joke.”

“I need to make sure I’m feeding you more often. I don’t want you giving in to any insane craving...and we are buying you a new hand soap. One that smells like something disgusting!” She was a smart woman, but I wasn’t going to risk letting the little one send her bonkers before we even had a chance to really date.

Having a fry, she opened the milkshake and dipped it in before taking a bite with a happy hum. “I never used to like this combination,” she admitted.

“Milkshake and fries is one of the best combinations out there. You don't need to be pregnant to appreciate a good milkshake and fry,” I insisted, grabbing a fry of my own and dipping it. “I will say, chocolate is the superior flavor for dipping fries, though.”

“We can get chocolate shakes next time.”

“Deal.” I smiled to myself. That meant there was going to be a next time.

Between the two of us, the food didn't last ten minutes.

“Oh my God, I'm so full.” Daisy moaned as she leaned back in the chair, rubbing her stomach and closing her eyes.

“I would say that's a job well done, then.” I was also pretty full, having ordered a small mountain of food.

“I think I'm going to have to accept your offer of letting me live in your car because I don’t think I’ll be moving anytime soon.”

“Well, I am a gentleman. I can't let you live in my car on your own. I'll have to join you. I'll bring some blankets.”

“How gallant.” She laughed before turning to look at me. “Seriously, though, it's been a really nice evening. I'm glad you decided to come and keep me company.”

“I'll happily come and keep you company anytime, flower. And you’ll have to come to dinner at our house sometime.”

“Maybe.” Daisy frowned. “I don't really know much about Nate, and I get the impression that he doesn't really want to meet me, so maybe it's best if you come to us for dinner.”

“Nate’s a grumpy old bastard. But we love him. He'll get over it, but if you feel more comfortable with meeting at your place, we will do that.” I shifted in my seat. “Now, we should get you back, 'cause Jeremy is probably home by now and not happy about your absence. Should we grab him a burger to take home? I know he loves to eat.”

Daisy’s face turned bright red, and she looked straight ahead. What I said that made her so embarrassed? “Wha—” I started to say, then broke off when I realized. Jeremy likes to eat. He had admitted that their relationship was developing. Had my lucky fucking packmate managed to get a taste of this sweet omega? Did she taste like she smelled? All apple pie and brown sugar?

“You’re right, it’s, uh, it’s getting late,” Daisy said, stumbling over her words.

“Yeah, we better get going. We wouldn't want this SUV to turn into a pumpkin.” I laughed, grabbing the various food wrappers and shoving them into a paper bag to dispose of later.

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