Page 46 of Bewitched By the Werewolf
Dottie catches me staring at her son and chuckles at my expression of dumbfoundedness. “I’m older than I look honey. This is my son, Jared. He’s the chef at the Diner and the one you have to thank for all the amazing food you’ve been eating.”
“Oh. Well, it’s nice to meet you, Jared. I’m Tess.”
I reach out a hand to shake his, but it’s intercepted by Ryder taking it in his instead. I look up at him with equal parts suspicion and confusion.
“He’s handling the food, can’t touch hands,” he explains flatly. He also doesn’t release my hand.
Okay I guess we’re holding hands now.
“It’s nice to meet you too Tess. I’m glad you’ve been enjoying my cooking at the Diner,” Jared continues without mentioning the weird hand thing that just happened. He doesn’t seem offended by the interception though, still smiling and filling popcorn bags.
“I have. It’s probably the only reason I haven’t starved. I’m a lousy cook.”
“I’m sure you’re not that bad, if you just tried a few simple recipes, I’m sure you’d get the hang of it.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, did I say lousy? I meant lazy. I’m a lazy cook, as in I don’t want to.”
Jared chuckles, his smile far easier and prominent than Officer grabby hands. But also, not as heart tingling.
“Fair enough. Cooking isn’t for everyone, that’s why I’m here,” he offers with his arms held open at his sides, indicating himself. “You’re welcome to eat my cooking at the Diner whenever you like.”
Before I have a chance to thank him, a deep and agitated growl rumbles at my side. When I look to Ryder, I expect to see the beast I chased through the forest, but he’s still just a man at my side gripping my hand firmly in his. Though the death stare he’s giving Jared is new.
Jared’s still smiling and now eying Ryder, not backing down. Does he know what Ryder is? Is he one too? Is this some sort of pissing on their territory behavior? Should I be pulling out my knife?
I almost reach down for it when Dottie interrupts their little staring game.
“Now, now boys there will be none of that tonight. This is a family event, and we will not taint Tess’s first movie under the stars with male posturing. You understand me?” She scolds not only her son but Ryder as well, who promptly relaxes his tense pose and softens his expression towards Dottie.
“Yes Ma’am.” They chime in tandem.
Wow. I need Dottie to tell me her secret. Whenever I tell Ryder to behave his just argues back at me.
“Good. Now, what toppings would you like on your popcorn?” She holds up my bag and waits for me to choose one of the many available toppings spread out on the table between us.
There’s melted cheese, chocolate chips, Reese's pieces, marshmallows, pretzels, sour gummy worms, licorice and all manner of seasonings in shakers. I choose licorice and Reese's pieces; Ryder chooses extra butter. Should have known he would pick something boring like just butter.
Dottie mixes our bags and once they’re in hand Ryder leads me away from the popcorn table and Jared. We stop by the drink coolers and grab two bottles of Coke before continuing on. I toss a salty kernel in my mouth and side eye the man at my side.
“So. You and Jared not friends?” I hedge. Ryder rolls his shoulder and diverts his gaze away from mine.
“Not exactly. He’s a good guy.”
“So then what was with the evil eye back there? He steal your high school sweetheart or something?”
That makes Ryder chuff out a laugh and he finally looks over to me. There’s actual mirth in his silver-grey eyes. They’re bright and almost glowing in the darkening light. Like two spots of liquid silver staring back at me.
“No, nothing like that. Don’t worry about it, Red. I have no issues with Jared.” He reassures me.
I shrug and toss more popcorn and licorice in my mouth. This really is the best freaking popcorn I’ve ever eaten. “Okay, if you say so.”
I don’t ask about Jared again as we approach two folding chairs set off to the side out of the main crown and away from the busy snack tables.
Chapter 25: Tess
No one sits near us as we get comfortable in the folding chairs. They’re not the cheap kind that fall apart after or during a single use. They have cup holders in the arm rests and there’s even a small folding table to one side. Looks like he prepared for this, or does he usually have a friend with him? Maybe a female friend? I don’t like the sound of that for some reason. A surprising jealousy flutters through my chest at the thought, and I have to shove it away.
I’m not jealous of women Ryder’s been with. That would be stupid. He’s a shifter and I’m a werewolf hunter we’re practically sworn enemies. But it’s hard to continue thinking of Ryder as a mindless killing beast when I see the type of man he is. If I really thought of him as a threat, would I have allowed him in my trailer and to play with my hair the way he did? No. I felt, and feel, completely safe with him. I don’t expect him to shift at any moment and rip my throat out. Although, I now know he can shift whenever he wants since that whole full-moon thing is a lie. The fact that he hasn’t eaten me after finding out what he is a good sign that he’s not as bad as I originally thought.
