Page 51 of Pack Nightmare

I try to draw up the memory of the winged logo I saw on the hood, but I’m not familiar with it. “I’ll take your word for it,” I reply instead. “So, are you going to tell me the destination of our mystery date, or do I just have to wait until we arrive?”

He chuckles. “It’s not a secret. We’re going to my house.”

“Oh, okay.” A thrill runs through me at the idea. I haven’t seen any of the guys’ houses. I barely remember meeting their parents before my manifestation, but we didn’t have drawn out conversations or anything. It was more like a swift meet-and-greet, and I was so nervous it’s all a blur. “Are your parents home?”

“Nah, they’re down at the festival like everyone else. We have the place to ourselves.”

We continue to drive toward the outskirts of town, the smooth road curving upward into the hills. I watch the dark scenery ahead, broken only by the bright white headlights. It’s mostly trees, with an occasional drive veering off to the side as we continue climbing.

Eventually, the road levels out and ends at the top of a hill. We follow a drive lined with modern streetlights overhead, leading to a wide circular driveway in front of a thoroughly modern house.

It’s all steel and glass, wood accents keeping it from becoming too sterile. It’s not nearly as large as Peter Jean-Yves house, but far more stately in its own way. I didn’t realize until now how much of Milo’s personal style is tied to his family and upbringing. With a jolt of sadness, I realize there’s a lot I still don’t know about him.

He hops out of the car and walks around to open my door as I resolve to take advantage of the gift he’s offering me tonight.

Time for just the two of us.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Milo

My pulse races through my veins when I step around the Aston Martin and help Lex out of the car. I have carefully cultivated my entire life for keeping people out. I’m always the calm one. I never lose my temper or get overexcited, and I don’t invite people in. Literally and figuratively.

This is an incredibly vulnerable moment for me, and adorably, Lex has no idea.

She angles toward the front door, but I tug on her hand. “Nope, this way,” I gesture to the narrow walk that curves around toward the back of the house. From here it looks like one very high storey, but as we walk along the path and start descending the hill, she can see it’s actually three, artfully hidden in the hillside. Lex walks quietly beside me, taking it all in while we follow the wide, well-lit flagstone steps.

My parents have always had money, just like Amber’s. The difference is, they aren’t interested in the sort of ostentatious displays the Jean-Yves’ prefer. We don’t have a sprawling manicured park of a property with a mansion full of expensive antiques.

Not to say that our house and furnishings aren’t expensive; they are. My family just prefers subtlety. Our property covers a lot of land, but it’s almost exclusively forest. Our house is rather spartan compared to my friends, and honestly, I prefer to hang at their places whenever possible. It’s warmer, cozier. I can relax. Even though it’s home, I spend the majority of the time I’m here in my room, because that’s the only place I’m really comfortable.

Well, that, and the backyard.

I took care to make sure everything was perfect before I headed into town. I don’t really want Lex in the house; not because I think she’ll judge us or break something, but because I don’t want her to get intimidated by the starkness like all of my friends did. I want her to be comfortable here with me, which is why the back is the perfect place to start.

We finally turn the corner, Lex’s tiny fingers laced with mine, and I know when she sees it; her grasp tightens and her delicious lips pop open. “Milo,” she breathes, her steps slowing. “This is incredible!”

I can’t keep the pleased smile from spreading across my face—this is exactly the reaction I was hoping for, and my pulse quickens. I shrug non-committally. “It’s not that much. But I’m glad you like it.”

Her wide eyes turn to claim mine, the bright emerald sparkling. “Not that much? Come on, now I know you’re just messing with me.”

My smile widens. “Okay, fine. But I wanted our first proper date to be special.”

“Oh, Milo,” she sighs, eyes returning to the scene laid out below. “It is.”

The back yard is my favorite place in the house for a variety of reasons. First, I love the view. Built into the side of the cliff, our house looks over the entire valley that houses Smoky Falls, but the best view is from outside, under the stars. I also love the pool and hot tub, and on the rare occasions I have friends over, we typically head straight back here to lounge.

Tonight I’ve had gauzy curtains draped around the pergola, along with extra string lights besides the edison bulbs that typically line it. The household staff moved the patio furniture for me, filling the space with a fluffy nest of comforters and cushions. Two outdoor space heaters are set up and already glowing, keeping the area warm against the chilly night air, and further out on the lawn I’ve rigged a large projection screen.

I escort Lex to the cozy space under the pergola, and she kicks off her boots before climbing inside and tugging off her jacket.

“Be right back,” I kiss her hand before releasing it with a grin, and head over to the outdoor kitchen. After grabbing the heavy picnic basket, I return and remove my own shoes and coat, then spread our refreshments out on the blankets.

Lex just watches me with an adoring smile that makes my heart flutter and my throat catch. “I uh.. I hope you like charcuterie,” I stumble over the words, then dart away to start the projector.

The opening scene queues up, and Lex looks at me in surprise. “The Breakfast Club?”

“Yeah, haven’t you seen it? It’s a classic.” Nerves hum in my blood, but I suppress the anxious response. I hope she doesn’t hate it, even as I smirk at her like I don’t care what she thinks.

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