Page 74 of Marked By the Pack
“Work.”
I nodded. “Cool.”
He smiled. “I don’t want this to be weird, Emma. I really hope we can be friends.”
“I want that too,” I said.
“Well, as your friend…can I ask you a question? And I need you to answer honestly.”
“Yeah, of course.”
“When I first met Zoey, she said she wasn’t looking for a relationship. But this morning she said the opposite.”
“She said that toyou?”Oh, right.Callum said they all share one woman. Bennett was a part of that. “I’m sorry, what exactly are you asking me?”
“Trust me, I’m not really looking for a relationship right now. After what just happened with us.”
“Are you asking for my blessing or something? Because you have it.”
He smiled. “Thanks. But actually I just…” his voice trailed off. “I don’t know if Zoey’s being serious or not. Do you think she’s honestly ready to settle down?”
Honestly?It was Zoey. I’d only just found out she was a freaking sensation on MyFanatics. And she was currently dating three men. I guess it was about to become five. And she hadn’t said one word to me about giving up camming.
But she also seemed really happy. Like rubbing it in my face that she could actually be with a set of twins and Otto. “I mean, if she was ever going to settle down…this arrangement makes a lot of sense for her. And I think she likes you. A lot. She only set me up with you because you turned her down.”
“I didn’t turn her down. I just told her I was looking for something serious.”
“Isn’t that the same thing?” My phone started buzzing. “I’m actually late meeting her for lunch. Thank you for everything. And I’m relieved that I’ll finally be able to talk to her about all this.”
“Well don’t poison her against us.”
I think I’d already been doing that. And standing here with Bennett? I remembered how kind he was. And sweet. And…not a monster. It was easy to forget when I’d seen the other side of him. “I won’t,” I said. I meant it. I wanted Zoey to be happy. “And maybe give that watch to Otto when he visits her at night?”
“Yeah. Don’t worry. I’ll figure out a solution for that.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. Everything was going to be fine. I just needed to get through one more lunch with Zoey without choking to death over this secret. Isaid goodbye to Bennett, waved goodbye to Otto, and headed out of the bank.
But when I opened the door, I ran right into someone.
“I am so sorry,” she said and grabbed my arms to steady herself.
For some reason I felt a chill run down my spine. I looked down at her hands. She had tons of rings on her fingers. And I was pretty sure there were some tattoos too.
She let go of my arms. “I’m new to town and was just browsing all the shops. I didn’t even realize this was a bank. I was turning around and wasn’t looking where I was going.” She had long jet black hair and was wearing tight ripped jeans, a leather jacket, and matching high heeled leather boots.
It looked like an outfit I’d try to wear and not be able to pull off at all. But she looked effortlessly cool. Her hair actually reminded me of the wig Zoey wore on MyFanatics. Zoey would probably love swapping clothes with her.Ah! I just had the best idea!
“You’re new to town?” I asked.
“Yeah. Well, kind of. I’m staying at the little bed and breakfast on the other side of the park while I search for a home of my own. So I can’t really say I’m living here until I find a place.”
“My boyfriend is a realtor. He can definitely help you find what you’re looking for.”
“Really? I mean…that would be amazing.”
“I can introduce you, but first I’m meeting a friend for lunch. You should come.” A stranger was the perfect distraction so I wouldn’t have to gag and cough and choke while trying to talk to Zoey. This was seriouslyperfect. And she looked about our age. Maybe Zoey could text her SOS messages sometimes in the middle of the night instead of me.
“Oh. Um…are you sure?” she asked. “I don’t want to impose.”
