Page 154 of Dream Mates
No, I didn’t want any of this. I didn’t want to hurt anyone. All I had wanted was some coffee.
“Professor, please excuse us. We have someplace to be, apologies,” Spencer said. “It’s nice to see you again, Creed.”
The professor sucked in a breath. “Wait, you’re…”
“Another reason why I’m not yours. I also work for Compass BioTek,” I said, back still to them. “Apparently they don’t like you or your company much, Spence.”
Spencer shrugged. “It happens.” He kissed me gently. “Shall we go have our picnic?”
“Please.” I let go of him but tried to keep my back to the professor and Pippa. “I’m so sorry, Professor.”
Creed gave me a hug. “I’ll text you later. Have fun at the farm.”
I let Spencer lead me out of the front of the building.
“Wait, Grace, please,” the professor pleaded.
Spencer helped me into a waiting car, and I pressed my face into him, so I didn’t have to look.
For a long while, he rubbed my back and purred for me.
“Will you tell me what happened?” he finally asked, putting the privacy screen between us and the driver up in the big, comfortable car.
I told him about my day; the tour of the CeCe, the potential of the visualizer, then meeting Creed, Verity, and Hale, why they thought I was their sister, and how Nate and Adriana Thorne had shown up–and Adriana’s harsh reaction.
“She what? An alphalaid hands on youand you didn’t immediately call me?” There was no anger on his face or in his voice, just concern, but I flinched, nevertheless.
“At the time I was just trying to get out of there and I didn’t want to bother you.” My voice shook.
He bundled me to him. “Darling, you are never, ever, a bother. Never hesitate to call me or come to me or interrupt me. I don’t care who I’m meeting with.”
I nodded, though the idea of interrupting him in a meeting made me squirm.
“Did you tell Wes at least?” he asked
“No. Though I told Evan, and promised him that I’d tell you as soon as I saw you. The story of how Nate met his mates sounds like a cautionary tale in a Center ad,” I said.
“Indeed. How awful for that young woman and her child,” Spencer said. “Imagine if Luc and the integration team were there to mediate it all for them?”
I nodded. “That immediately makes me not like any of them–even the professor. He and his girlfriend were serious enough to have chosen baby names–and then to just ghost her? At least they acknowledged their mistakes, but still, that’s a lot.”
And I was so glad Evan and I clicked.
Spencer kept rubbing my back. “It is. But I’m worried about the fact that some alpha felt she could put her hands on you. Are you injured, should we go to the hospital?”
“I think I’m fine. But there might be some bruises.” I rolled up the sleeve of my pink blouse to reveal the bruises.
Spencer sucked in a breath.
I handed him my phone. “Take a photo? Riley hacked the cafe cameras and got footage.”
He took the photo. “You wish to press charges? No one will blame you if you do. At the very least we need to file a report.”
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I just feel like proof is good? Also, I didn’t like her threatening my career.” Finishing my tale, I added about her chasing me across campus and how I told her to fuck off.
Spencer wrapped me in his arms. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have let you go alone.”
“Stop that.” I poked him in the chest. “I’m an adult and capable of doing things on my own.”
