Page 90 of Swan

“Sorry we weren’t there when you guys arrived,” Ruin offered. Fortunately, they sat at the end of the table closest to the door, so we were able to hear him. If they’d been at the other end, he would’ve had to shout.

Wolf scoffed. “I told you if we started, we would be late.”

And we didn’t need to hear that.

Ruin grinned wickedly. “Then you shouldn’t have?—”

“Hey now, virgin ears here,” I blurted and then gasped, slapping a hand over my mouth.

Next to me, Drake stumbled and fell into the table. He quickly took a seat.

“I’m leaving,” I said, turning back around.

Ruin chuckled. “Swan, relax.”

I stilled, but I couldn’t turn around. Mortification pressed against me, and I wanted the floor to swallow me up.

“Please come and eat, Swan,” Wolf said.

“I’d rather not,” I told them.

I was an idiot.

I’m not with the girls. I can’t just say stuff like that. Especially in front of Drake.

He didn’t need to know how inexperienced I was.

“Birdy,” Drake called and cleared his throat. “Get over here and sit down.”

“Swan, I’m hungry,” Ruin whined.

Wolf sighed. “Please let Joshua eat before he gets annoying.”

“Too late,” Drake added.

Some of the tension drained away. Without looking at anyone, I went back to the table.

“Can we just forget that happened?” I asked.

“Might be hard for some, pun intended,” Wolf said.

“Sorry?” I asked.

“Nothing, sweet Swan.” He glanced to a door and ordered, “We’re ready.”

People rushed into the room with trays of food that they laid in front of us. There were salads, vegetables, meats of all kinds, and seafood.

My mouth watered; I was suddenly hungry and happy that the men with me went on talking while they helped themselves. I didn’t know what to start with. I wanted to try a bit of everything but knew I wouldn’t be able to.

Drake picked up my plate and placed his full one in front of me. “Need gravy or sauce?” he asked.

Wait, this was for me? He’d dished up my meal.

I shook my head and stared down at the food. The plate was heaped, filled with all the things I liked the most. How had he known?

“Swan, do you know what is required of you to do at the library?” Wolf asked.

I pulled my gaze up from my plate. “Ah, as far as I know, I’ll be training the new manager. I work closely with mine in Ballarat, so I know how things run. Which reminds me.” I turned to Drake as he placed a glass of iced tea in front of me. “Um, thanks. I was going to say sorry for my parents asking you to take me to and from work. I don’t want you to feel you have to just because of them.”

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