Page 69 of Beginning Fate

I relaxed at that. “She’s right. It does. I eat here most nights. Perks of working here.”

I didn’t really need the money right now, but if I was ever going to leave the New Orleans Pack and the money I received each month, though nowhere near as substantial as the Westin wolves received, I knew I was going to have to learn to earn on my own.

Working didn’t bother me. I enjoyed it even. But I also saved every single penny I earned here.

Having been moved to the bottom of the hierarchy back home meant I’d grown up with certain privileges that had been ripped from me and my family as punishment after my brother died. Stipends were paid based on rank, so it had been devastating to my family in more than one way.

I never wanted to go through something like that again, so I stayed frugal and saved for a rainy day. It wasn’t like I needed it. Living at the ARC meant all my basic needs were met. If Lauren agreed to stay here, I could petition to move into mated housing, or we could stay in the doghouse. Others before me had done it, so I knew the guys wouldn’t mind. As far as I knew, they all liked her. I didn’t expect any complaints if we decided to live there.

“So what’s good here?” she asked.

“Everything. Autumn wasn’t kidding about that. But my favorite is the manicotti with a side of veal.”

It made my mouth water just thinking about it.

She scrunched up her nose. “I’m not a big fan of veal. How is the carbonara?”

“Tastes like it’s straight out of Italy from what I’ve been told. Not at all like the cream slathered stuff Americans call it. It’s very good though. And if you want more protein than the bit of guanciale that comes on it, you can always add a meat as a side. I always do.”

“How about some chicken?”

“Sure. You got it. Salad?”

“Ceasar.”

When Marco returned with our waters, I placed our order.

He left us only to return a short while later with a large plate featuring a sampling of most of the appetizers.

“The chef insisted. For your special night.”

I grinned. I was going to have to thank him when I go back to work next week.

“Thanks, man.”

“My pleasure. You know, most of us use our connections and discount to wine and dine all our dates, but Denny’s never brought a lady here before as far as any of us can remember. You must be very special.”

He reached for her hand and dramatically moved to kiss it.

Lauren looked stunned at first, but quickly found her wits and yanked her hand away just as he made his move. Instead of kissing her hand, he face planted into our table.

I burst out laughing, drawing the attention of a nearby customer.

“Nice try, Romeo. But this one is all mine.”

He knew damn well I wouldn’t say something like that unless I absolutely meant it.

Marco and I worked together frequently. He knew I was an insatiable flirt, yet I never crossed that line of being professional no matter how many propositions I received. And he’d been happy to be sloppy seconds on more than one occasion when I turned down the advances of a beautiful woman.

This time his entire being changed from a cocky little shit trying to rial me up to genuinely curious after my mate.

“I’m Marco.”

“You said that already,” she responded, completely brushing him off.

“That’s my girl.” I hadn’t meant to say it aloud. It just sort of slipped out, but the way Lauren beamed back at me was worth it. “This is Lauren.”

“Your girlfriend?” he asked, sounding a bit surprised.

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