Page 15 of The Alpha's Addiction
I don’t know what to say to that.So I simply nod, throat tight.
We pull up to the restaurant, and my stomach flips as I take in the soft lighting through the windows and the cozy patio strung with fairy lights.Rhodes parks, then circles the truck to open my door.
Inside, the hostess beams at him."Alph—Mr.Carter!Your table’s ready."
He nods, resting a hand on the small of my back as we follow her.
The table is tucked into a corner, intimate and quiet.The candlelight flickers between us as we sit.Rhodes orders us a bottle of red wine, and I glance at the menu, overwhelmed but trying not to show it.
"I recommend the ravioli," he says.
"What are you getting?"
"Lasagna.Big portion.You can steal some if you want."
I smile."I probably will."
He grins like that was exactly what he wanted to hear.
The server comes over to take our order.Silence settles over us once he leaves.It’s not uncomfortable, but it’s heavy.
I sip my water and glance at Rhodes."What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Your past.I don’t date much, but I get the feeling you’re not exactly Mr.Social either."
He chuckles, the sound low and deep."No.I’m not."
I wait.
He exhales."I grew up in the north part of town.My parents died when I was a teenager, and after that...it was just me.I had to figure out what I wanted and how to make it happen fast."
“Rhodes, I’m so sorry,” I say softly.
“Thanks.”
“So, you decided to stay in town,” I say, trying to get the conversation back on track.
“Yeah, this place is home.I never wanted to be anywhere else.”
“You’re lucky you had that at least.”
“Yeah,” he says quietly.
I take another sip of water.
“Tell me about baking,” he says.
I smile.“Well, I’ve always loved to cook.”
He nods, urging me to go on.
“My mom wasn’t around much when I was growing up.She was a single mom and worked a lot.I took over cooking when I was a kid.It made me feel useful to have dinner ready for her when she got home.She was so… relieved, I guess is the right word, not to have to worry about cooking after a long day.”
“I bet.”
“It was my way of helping out.”
