Page 67 of Chosen Beta

I take a few more. “Thanks.”

I open my sandwich and put them on it.

When I close it, I look up to see Pete offering me a fry.

These men are dangerous.

Not only are they hot, they’re the kind of guys who share their food.

I’m too tempted not to grab a couple of the hot, salted French fries.

“Thanks,” I murmur.

He smiles. “If you want the burger, or the shake, or the whole cup of fries, all you’ve got to do is ask.”

“You need to eat, too,” Shadow reminds him, before he stuffs a handful of fries in his own mouth.

“I’m good,” I tell them both, though it’s nice to know all I’d have to do is ask.

I can’t help wondering if that applies to anything other than food.

The way he looks at me is a mirror of the way he looked at me when we met.

The desire in his gaze is unmistakable.

When he looks me over, he likes what he sees.

I turn away before I have thoughts that might get me into trouble.

The fast food I’ve had a taste of is as bad as I intend to get today.

I’ll worry about the extra calories they’ve added to my diet some other time.

At least that’s something that only hurts me.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Owen

Ever since I left Cressidan City, ten years ago, I’ve made a point to live a life without regrets.

That’s what led me to Ezra, and it’s what eventually brought us to Platinum Valley.

For three years, we’ve been calling that house our home.

I was so fucking proud when we bought it.

With Ezra travelling so much for work we were used to renting apartments in different places, and I was used to selling security systems that took a single day to install.

The transitory lifestyle was fun for a while, but it was never meant to be forever.

The house was supposed to make everything better.

Shadow would have a real nest, and a real home.

Pete would have a permanent address.

Ezra and I would stop arguing about where we should live.

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