Page 41 of Pack Scratch Fever
“I’ll meet you there,” I say instead, and there’s a flash of disappointment in his eyes before he nods and smiles.
“Can’t wait.”
“When’s thelast time you’ve been on a proper date?” Avery asks as we take our seats at the table. His sweet tea aroma is stronger than ever, and I subconsciously scoot my chair closer, entranced by his scent.
I startle at his question. “Wait. This is a date?”
He shrugs, his face flushing. “It can be, if you want.” He looks down at the menu, a lock of blonde hair falling into his face.
I want to say it is, but words fail me.
His eyes snap back to mine, and he pushes his hair back.
“It’s okay,” he says gently. “I didn’t mean to push you.”
I shake my head. “You’re not,” I reply. “You’re not at all. I just…” I take a sip of water, and now it’s my turn not to look at him. “I don’t know if you want this, Avery.” I place my glass down and swallow. “I…uh…”
I don’t have words. How do I explain to him everything inside of me?
If he saw it, he’d run screaming.
He’s a grown man with a career. He’s handsome and isn’t afraid to be vulnerable.
I run a cat rescue and run away from my emotions.
What do I have to offer?
“Piper.” His voice is low with an undercurrent of a command. It’s subtle, but there.
I look up at him, unable to break eye contact. The chatter of patrons fades away until the only thing I can sense isAvery.
“I like you,” he says earnestly. “I’ve enjoyed the time we’ve spent together. I would like to get to know you better, if that’s alright.”
My instinct is to shake my head, to push him away.
But I take another whiff of his Alpha scent, and a tiny voice inside me speaks.
Scent match.
So, I nod. “I’d like that.”
His answering grin with the matching dimples is worth it. “Great,” he says, looking almost giddy. I end up chuckling, and by the time our food arrives, we’re in a full-blown conversation.
Avery’s a great listener. He tilts his head curiously when I speak about the rescue and my time at community college, and he asks more in-depth questions than I expected.
My inner Omega preens the whole time, flattered that he’s taking such an interest in us.
He’s not talking just to talk.
He’scommunicating, and it’s way sexier than it should be.
“So,” he nudges his foot with mine, and tingles race down my spine. “Are you from Luna County? Do you have family here?”
Warning bells ring in my head.
“I’m from here,” I confirm. “Grew up here, stayed here,” I mumble, unable to stop the shame that courses through me.
“You really want to stay here forever? You know you could move across the country with your sisters.”
