Page 49 of Alpha Theo

She shrugs my hand off of her shoulder. Swivels her chair back around slowly.

“You were right!” she laughs, throwing up her hands. She’s not full-on crying, but a single tear slips from her eye and she quickly wipes it away with her sleeve. “The date wasn’t as great as I thought it would be. The kiss sucked. Are you happy? You win.”

I do feel like I won, actually, but I can’t be happy about it while Brooke looks so fucking miserable.

“Fuck that guy,” I grumble, shaking my head. “You deserve a lot better than fuckingConnor.”

Better thanme, too.

She sniffles, shaking her head. I don’t see any more tears, but I can still scent them and it’s driving my wolf insane.

“It just wasn’t what I expected. It’s not his fault. I built it up too much in my mind.” She pauses, blows out a breath. Steadies herself. “I’m sure the next one will go better.”

I bristle, narrowing my eyes. “You’re going out with him again?”

Brooke shrugs. “Maybe. I don’t know. He’s really nice…”

I slump back in my chair.

“Honestly, I don’t even want to think about it right now,” she sighs. “It just stresses me out.”

She brings a hand up to her temple, rubbing it. Presses her eyes closed.

“You’re wound up too tight,” I mutter. “You need to get out, kid. Do something fun. Live a little.”

I pause, watching Brooke as her eyes flutter back open. I feel like I’ve got an ‘in’ here since ol’ mop top flubbed his date last night, and I’m not about to waste it.

“Let me take you out,” I drawl, flashing her my most charming smile.

Brooke looks at me curiously, like she’s trying to analyze me again. I can see silver swirls in her irises- her wolf peeking out. She gives a little shake of her head. “I don’t think I’m ready for another date,” she says quietly.

I sit up, trying to play it cool, casual. “It won’t be a date, it’ll be an anti-date. Just a couple of friends hanging out.”

She narrows her eyes. “Are we friends?”

“I’m pretty sure you’re my first female friend ever,” I laugh.

And it’s true- I’ve never taken the time to actually get to know a girl before Brooke. And I didn’t even do it on purpose, but now that I know her, I think I fuckinglikeher.

Brooke tilts her head, considering. Bites her bottom lip gently.

“Okay.”

“Yeah?” I ask, a little too enthusiastically. I clear my throat, reining it in a little. “I’ve got patrol tonight, but how about tomorrow?”

She nods. “Sure, sounds good.”

I grin smugly, maintaining my composure- but in my head I’m practically doing a victory dance.

“Cool.”

“But it’s not a date,” she clarifies.

I throw up my hands. “No, not a date. An anti-date.”

I have no fucking idea where I’m gonna take her or what we’re gonna do. All I know is that whatever it is, it has to blow Connor’s stupid ass dinner date out of the water.

I bring a hand up to my chin, rubbing my thumb against my stubbly beard. “How about a motorcycle ride?” I waggle my eyebrows.

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