“Well look who it is!” a voice booms, and I can’t help but grin when I see the smiling face of Reid’s father Erick in the doorway of the small pizzeria.
“Hi!” I chirp, and he greets me back by stepping closer and wrapping me up in a big hug. I’ve gotten to know both of Reid’s parents a lot better over the past couple months- they’re the kindest, warmest people, and it has been so nice to feel like I’m part of a family again.
“Saturday night’s still pizza night at the packhouse, huh?” he asks as he releases the embrace and takes a step back.
“This Saturday is,” I laugh. “You’re welcome to join us, if you’d like.”
“Ah, not this time,” he sighs, running a hand through his thick salt and pepper hair. “I promised my honey a date night in. Dinner and a movie.”
Well if that isn’t a total Reid move.I smirk thinking of how the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
“You Raines men sure are romantics.”
“We treasure our women,” he winks. “That’s how it should be.”
I hold up my hands in surrender. “Hey, I have no complaints!”
The door to the kitchen swings open and Dino comes walking out carrying two large pizza boxes in his hands. “All ready for you, Luna. Sorry for the wait. And it’s on the house.”
I sigh, turning toward the counter. “Now Dino, you know I can’t take these without paying, and I’ve been dreaming of your pizza all day…”
He shakes his head, thrusting the boxes toward me. “Your money’s no good here. I insist.”
I’m not nearly as good at this whole song and dance as Reid is, but I’m learning. I reach into the pocket of my jacket for the cash I tucked in there in anticipation of this back and forth with Dino, pulling it out.
“So do I,” I say, sliding the folded bills on the counter and taking the pizzas from Dino’s hands. “Your food’s too good, you’re already spoiling us.”
Dino sighs in defeat and I turn on a heel with the pizzas in hand, smiling at Erick. “Will we still see you for lunch tomorrow?”
He tosses me another wink. “You can count on it.”
“See you then. Have a good date night.”
Erick nods, then looks toward Dino as I scoot past him and head toward the exit. I push the door open with a hip, balancing the pizzas in one hand as I reach for the keyfob in my coat pocket with the other. The headlights of my Chevy Camaro flash as the doors unlock. Yup, my fast car loving mate couldn’t wait to gift me with a speed machine of my own. It’s bright red, like his nickname for me, with racing stripes to match his Mustang. The car’s a lot of fun to drive, but he did make me promise not to take it up to a hundred unless he’s with me.
Then again, I’ve never been crazy about following rules, and I don’t mind Reid’s particular brand of punishment for breaking them.
~
Reid
When I hear the front door of the packhouse open, I’m immediately hit with the scent of tangerine and vanilla, a smile coming to my lips. To me, it’s what love smells like- it’s my favorite scent in the world because it belongs to my mate. Tonight, though, her delectable scent is mixed with something else…pizza.
I make my way toward the front door as Serena steps over the threshold into the packhouse, two pizza boxes stacked in her hands. Her cheeks and the tip of her nose are rosy from the cold, and as soon as her eyes meet mine, her lips spread into a smile to match my own.
“Hey babe,” I greet, taking the pizza boxes from her hands. I lean over them to plant a kiss on her lips. “Where have you been? I thought you’d be home an hour ago.”
“I stopped by to see Chase,” she supplies, kicking off her gym shoes as I carry the pizza boxes into the kitchen. “I’m sorry, I lost track of time.”
“No problem,” I say over my shoulder. “How’s he doing?”
Serena shrugs as she pulls her arms from the sleeves of her coat, hanging it on the rack by the door before following me into the kitchen. “He’s…Chase.”
I chuckle, setting the pizza boxes on the counter and reaching into the cabinet above to retrieve a stack of plates.
“Where’s Liv?” Serena asks, glancing around.
I set the plates on the counter, stepping over to the wine rack and searching through the bottles for a decent red. “Off with Jax’s sister again,” I mumble.